CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Visalia Rawhide 1
Stockton Ports 10
WP – Shore 2-5 / 4.47
HR – M.White (14), Smolinski (1)
Prospect Of The Game:
Designated Hitter Jake Smolinski
(5 for 5 / Home Run / Double / 5 RBIs)
Stockton scored 10 runs to win its fourth straight on Sunday. Designated hitter Jake Smolinski had a big night at the plate in his second rehab appearance for the Ports, collecting 5 hits, including a home run and a double, while driving in 5 of Stockton’s 10 runs in the game. Third baseman Mikey White homered for the second time in the last three nights, while shortstop Richie Martin singled, tripled and scored twice, and catcher Argenis Raga singled, doubled and drove in a pair for the Ports. RHP Logan Shore turned in a strong start on Sunday, striking out 7 over 5 scoreless frames to earn his 2nd win for Stockton, while LHP Brandon Marsonek pitched 3 perfect innings in relief to pick up his 1st save for the Ports. In other news, Ports play-by-play man Zack Bayrouty announced on Sunday that Stockton infielder Sheldon Neuse has been promoted to Double-A Midland. Neuse has put up an impressive .386/.457/.675 slash line since joining Stockton after being acquired from the Nationals organization in the Ryan Madson/Sean Doolittle deal. Though Neuse had been splitting time between shortstop and third base for the Ports, he’s likely to spend the bulk of his time at the hot corner for Midland with A’s shortstop-of-the-future Jorge Mateo also on the RockHounds roster.
Click here for more on Nashville, Midland, Beloit, Vermont & AZL A’s…
PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Memphis Redbirds 12
Nashville Sounds 7
LP – Walter 2-6 / 5.86
HR – Nunez (31)
Prospect Of The Game:
Third Baseman Renato Nunez
(2 for 5 / Home Run)
Memphis clinched the PCL’s American Southern Division Championship by besting Nashville for the second straight night on Sunday. Starter Chris Jensen gave up 4 runs over 4 frames, while RHP Corey Walter surrendered 3 runs in 2 innings of relief to suffer his 6th loss for the Sounds. Third baseman Renato Nunez singled and slugged his league-leading 31st home run, while right fielder Mark Canha singled, tripled and drove in a run. Catcher Beau Taylor had a pair of hits, including a double, in his return from the disabled list, and left fielder Jaff Decker and second baseman Joey Wendle both singled, doubled and drove in runs for the Sounds in the loss. Meanwhile, RHP Frankie Montas was placed on the disabled list with an oblique injury on Sunday, and RHP Daniel Mengden is set to return to the mound for the Sounds on Monday for the first time since landing on the disabled list in early June.
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Midland RockHounds 11
Arkansas Travelers 6
WP – Kurcz 2-1 / 3.43
HR – Sportman (10), Ramirez (4)
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder J.P. Sportman
(2 for 4 / Grand Slam)
The RockHounds registered their third win in their last four games on Sunday. Right fielder J.P. Sportman singled, walked and slugged a grand slam in the top of the 9th inning for Midland. Left fielder Tyler Ramirez singled, walked and hit a solo shot, while center fielder B.J. Boyd singled, doubled, walked and scored twice, and designated hitter Tyler Marincov tripled in a pair of runs for the RockHounds. Starter James Naile allowed just 2 hits over 4 scoreless frames, while RHP Dustin Hurlbutt surrendered 4 runs in 1 inning of relief. RHP Aaron Kurcz tossed 2 scoreless innings to earn the win, and RHP Sam Bragg got the final six outs for Midland to secure his 5th save on Sunday. In other news, Stockton infielder Sheldon Neuse is set to join the RockHounds roster this week.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Clinton LumberKings 4
Beloit Snappers 2
LP – Sheehan 3-1 / 2.08
Prospect Of The Game:
First Baseman Kyle Nowlin
(1 for 4 / Double / RBI)
The Snappers suffered their seventh loss in the last nine games on Sunday. LHP Zack Erwin allowed 2 runs over 5 innings of work, while RHP Joseph Camacho threw 3 scoreless innings in relief, but RHP Sam Sheehan surrendered 2 runs in the top of the 9th to take the loss for the Snappers. First baseman Kyle Nowlin doubled in a run, and left fielder Josh Vidales singled in a run in the loss.
NEW YORK-PENN LEAGUE (Class-A Short-Season)
Vermont Lake Monsters 9
State College Spikes 4
WP – Charles 1-0 / 3.50
HR – Farrar (2)
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Logan Farrar
(3 for 4 / Home Run / 2 RBIs)
Center fielder Logan Farrar collected 3 hits, including his 2nd home run, and drove in 2 runs, while shortstop Kevin Merrell and left fielder Payton Squier both singled twice and doubled. Second baseman Jesus Lage singled and tripled, and right fielder Greg Deichmann walked, singled and drove in a pair of runs for the Lake Monsters. Starter Jean Ruiz gave up 2 unearned runs over 4 innings of work, while RHP Wandisson Charles allowed 1 unearned run in 1 2/3 innings of relief to pick up the victory for Vermont on Sunday.
ARIZONA LEAGUE (Rookie Short-Season)
AZL Brewers 9
AZL A’s 8
LP – J.Martinez 1-1 / 3.86
HR – Jones (3)
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Austin Beck
(2 for 6 / Triple / 3 RBIs)
After winning in 10 innings on Saturday, the AZL A’s suffered a loss in 10 innings on Sunday. Center fielder Austin Beck singled and tripled with the bases loaded to drive in 3 runs in the 9th, while pinch-hitter Justin Jones hit a 2-run homer to tie the game in the 9th. Second baseman Marcos Brito collected 3 hits, including a triple, and designated hitter Lazaro Armenteros singled, tripled, walked twice, scored twice, stole a base and was hit by a pitch. Starter Jose Mora surrendered 6 runs over 2 2/3 innings of work. And with a runner placed on second base to start the 10th inning, LHP Jorge Martinez gave up an RBI single to suffer the loss on Sunday.
Monday’s Games:
Memphis @ Nashville – 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
Stockton @ Rancho Cucamonga – 7:05pm PT
Wisconsin @ Beloit – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
AZL Cubs @ AZL A’s – 7:00pm PT
Be sure to like A’s Farm’s page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @AthleticsFarm. You can also get our exclusive A’s minor league newsletter e-mailed to you free by signing up here.