PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Nashville Sounds 7
Iowa Cubs 5
WP – J.Smith 4-1 / 3.62
HR – Nunez (25), Barreto (10)
Prospect Of The Game:
Third Baseman Renato Nunez
(2 for 5 / Home Run / 3 RBIs / Stolen Base)
With the game tied in the top of the 9th, third baseman Renato Nunez hit his league-leading 25th home run to provide the margin of victory for the Sounds on Thursday. Nunez also singled in a run in the 5th, while center fielder Yairo Munoz collected 4 hits, including a double, and drove in the tying run in the top of the 8th. Second baseman Joey Wendle had 3 hits, including a triple, and shortstop Franklin Barreto walked, stole a base and belted his 10th home run for the Sounds. Starter Jesse Hahn allowed 5 runs over 5 innings of work, while RHP Josh Smith was solid in relief, throwing 4 scoreless frames to notch his 4th win for Nashville. And in other news, Sounds RHP Frankie Montas is set to rejoin the A’s on Friday.
Click here for more on Midland, Stockton, Beloit, Vermont & AZL A’s…
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Corpus Christi Hooks 5
Midland RockHounds 3
LP – Sturdevant 1-3 / 5.25
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Heath Fillmyer
(6 IP / 4 H / 2 ER / 2 BB / 8 K)
The RockHounds dropped their third straight despite getting a strong start from RHP Heath Fillmyer on Thursday. The 23-year-old allowed 2 runs while striking out 8 over 6 innings of work, and he left with the game a 2-2 tie. But RHP Tyler Sturdevant surrendered 3 runs in 2 innings of relief to suffer his 3rd loss for the Hounds. Catcher Sean Murphy singled, doubled and scored a run, while right fielder J.P. Sportman, left fielder Tyler Ramirez and third baseman Jordan Tarsovich had a pair of hits apiece, and shortstop Richie Martin and center fielder B.J. Boyd each drove in a run for the RockHounds. Meanwhile, Midland RHP James Naile began a rehab assignment with the AZL A’s on Thursday.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Modesto Nuts 0
Stockton Ports 1
WP – Duno 7-6 / 5.09
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Angel Duno
(5 IP / 4 H / 0 ER / 2 BB / 9 K / Win)
The Ports prevailed in a 10-inning, shutout win to snap their five-game losing streak on Thursday. The two teams also set a California League record by registering a total of 33 combined strikeouts in the contest. Starter Evan Manarino threw 4 shutout innings, while rehabbing RHP Bobby Wahl struck out the side and walked a batter in 1 scoreless inning of relief. RHP Angel Duno struck out 9 while tossing 5 scoreless frames to complete the 6-hit shutout and earn his 7th win for Stockton. Designated hitter Sheldon Neuse, recently acquired from Washington in the Ryan Madson/Sean Doolittle deal, singled in the winning run with one out in the bottom of the 10th as the Ports won in a walk-off on Thursday. Meanwhile, Ports pitchers Boomer Biegalski and Andrew Tomasovich both landed on the disabled list, but RHP Logan Shore returned from the disabled list and is set to make the start for Stockton on Friday.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
GAME #1
West Michigan Whitecaps 6
Beloit Snappers 3
LP – Jordan 1-8 / 6.04
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Mike Martin
(2 for 4 / 2 RBIs)
Beloit went down to defeat in the completion of Wednesday’s suspended game. LHP Kyle Twomey made the start on Wednesday and threw 3 scoreless frames. RHP Mitchell Jordan took to the mound on Thursday and surrendered 6 runs in just 2/3 of an inning to suffer his 8th loss for the Snappers. Left fielder Mike Martin singled twice and drove in a pair of runs in the loss.
GAME #2
West Michigan Whitecaps 0
Beloit Snappers 2
WP – Milburn 6-7 / 3.92
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Matt Milburn
(5 2/3 IP / 3 H / 0 ER / 3 BB / 5 K / Win)
The Snappers shut out the Whitecaps on just 4 hits in Thursday’s second game. RHP Matt Milburn turned in a solid start, throwing 5 2/3 scoreless frames to earn his 6th win, while RHP Sam Sheehan got the final four outs for the Snappers to complete the shutout and secure his 4th save. Right fielder Luke Persico singled, doubled and scored a run, while first baseman Miguel Mercedes doubled in a run for Beloit.
NEW YORK-PENN LEAGUE (Class-A Short-Season)
Vermont Lake Monsters 2
Aberdeen IronBirds 3
LP – Kelliher 2-1 / 1.76
HR – Churlin (2)
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Anthony Churlin
(2 for 4 / Home Run / 2 RBIs)
The Lake Monsters lost their fourth straight, this one in a walk-off, on Thursday. This year’s 13th-round draft pick for the A’s, RHP Wyatt Marks, made the start and allowed 2 runs in 2 1/3 innings of work, while 7th-round RHP Parker Dunshee threw 3 2/3 scoreless frames to extend his scoreless-innings streak to 14 1/3 frames. But a wild pitch by RHP Branden Kelliher with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th allowed the deciding run to score as Aberdeen won in a walk-off. Right fielder Anthony Churlin singled and hit a 2-run homer in the top of the 8th to tie the game, while designated hitter Greg Deichmann doubled and drew a pair of walks in the loss.
ARIZONA LEAGUE (Rookie Short-Season)
AZL A’s 5
AZL White Sox 2
WP – Kohler 2-1 / 4.70
HR – Jones (2)
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Mickey McDonald
(3 for 4 / Triple / RBI)
This year’s 18th-round draft pick for the A’s, right fielder Mickey McDonald, collected 3 hits, including a triple, and drove in a run, while 34th-round second baseman Justin Jones slugged his 2nd home run. 17-year-old Dominican shortstop Yerdel Vargas tripled and scored a run, and 3rd-rounder Nick Allen singled twice and drove in a pair for the A’s. Rehabbing RockHounds RHP James Naile made the start and tossed 2 scoreless frames, while LHP Chris Kohler allowed 1 run in 3 innings of relief to earn his 2nd win on Thursday.
Friday’s Games:
Nashville @ New Orleans – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Corpus Christi @ Midland – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Modesto @ Stockton – 7:10pm PT
West Michigan @ Beloit – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Vermont @ Aberdeen – 4:05pm PT / 7:05pm ET
AZL Angels @ AZL A’s – 7:00pm PT
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