MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Peoria Chiefs 1
Beloit Snappers 7
WP – Erwin 5-2 / 1.68
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Zack Erwin
(6 IP / 2 H / 0 ER / 1 BB / 9 K / Win)
LHP Zack Erwin turned in another impressive start to help the Snappers win for the sixth time in their last seven games on Wednesday. The 23-year-old allowed just 2 hits while striking out a career-best 9 batters over 6 shutout innings to earn his 5th win, and he’s now given up just 1 earned run in 27 innings over his last 5 starts for Beloit. RHP Heath Bowers allowed 1 run in 3 innings of relief to secure his 4th save for the Snappers. Center fielder Mike Martin had 3 hits, including a double, stole a base and scored twice, while third baseman Trace Loehr singled and tripled, and designated hitter Miguel Mercedes singled twice and drove in a pair for the Snappers.
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TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Midland RockHounds 3
Frisco RoughRiders 1
WP – Mann 3-4 / 3.56
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Dustin Hurlbutt
(7 IP / 6 H / 1 ER / 1 BB / 5 K)
RHP Dustin Hurlbutt delivered another outstanding start for the RockHounds on Thursday, allowing just 1 run over 7 innings of work, and he left with the game a 1-1 tie. And the match remained knotted until the RockHounds scored 2 runs in the top of the 11th to win their fifth straight. Shortstop Jorge Mateo singled and scored the winning run, while first baseman Jermaine Curtis singled, doubled and walked, and right fielder J.P. Sportman tripled, walked and scored a run for the RockHounds. LHP Brandon Mann picked up the win after tossing 2 scoreless innings in relief, and RHP Tyler Sturdevant registered the save after recording the final three outs in the bottom of the 11th for Midland.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Inland Empire 66ers 5
Stockton Ports 9
WP – Butler 4-3 / 4.86
HR – Brown (16), Bolt (11), Neuse (4)
Prospect Of The Game:
Shortstop Sheldon Neuse
(2 for 3 / Walk / Home Run)
Three home runs helped the Ports prevail for the fifth time in their last six games on Wednesday. Shortstop Sheldon Neuse slugged a solo shot in the 2nd inning to put Stockton on the board. Neuse also singled, walked and scored twice in the game, while center fielder Skye Bolt belted a 3-run blast in Stockton’s 8-run 4th to give the Ports the lead. First baseman Seth Brown added another 3-run drive later in the same frame, and designated hitter Richie Martin went 0 for 4 with a walk and a strikeout in his return to the Stockton roster on Wednesday. Starter Logan Shore gave up 2 runs in 4 innings of work, while RHP Brendan Butler allowed 3 runs, just 1 earned, in 4 1/3 innings of relief to pick up the win, and RHP Nolan Blackwood got the final 2 outs in the 9th to notch his 12th save for Stockton.
NEW YORK-PENN LEAGUE (Class-A Short-Season)
Connecticut Tigers 7
Vermont Lake Monsters 6
LP – Conley 0-1 / 5.87
HR – Merrell (1), Hargrove (1)
Prospect Of The Game:
First Baseman Hunter Hargrove
(2 for 3 / Walk / Home Run / 2 RBIs)
Vermont came up short in a one-run game as the Lake Monsters suffered their third straight loss on Wednesday. Starter Oscar Tovar surrendered 4 runs, 3 earned, over 4 1/3 frames, while LHP Josh Reagan allowed 1 run in 1 2/3 innings of relief, and RHP Bryce Conley gave up 2 runs, 1 earned, in 2 innings of work to take the loss. First baseman Hunter Hargrove and shortstop Kevin Merrell both singled and slugged the first homers of their pro careers. Hargrove’s was a 2-run drove in the 6th, while Merrell’s was a solo shot in the 7th. And in other news, RHP Jeferson Mejia, acquired from Arizona in return for Adam Rosales, was assigned to the Lake Monsters on Wednesday.
Thursday’s Games:
Nashville @ Reno – 7:05pm PT / 9:05pm CT
San Antonio @ Midland – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Stockton @ Visalia – 7:00pm PT
Peoria @ Beloit – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Connecticut @ Vermont – 4:05pm PT / 7:05pm ET
AZL A’s @ AZL Padres – 7:00pm PT
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