TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
NW Arkansas Naturals 3
Midland RockHounds 4
WP – Holmes 10-11 / 4.73
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Grant Holmes
(6 IP / 4 H / 2 ER / 3 BB / 6 K / Win)
RHP Grant Holmes turned in a strong start to help the RockHounds win their third straight on Wednesday. The 21-year-old allowed 2 runs and struck out 6 over 6 innings of work to become just the second 10-game winner in the Texas League so far this season. And after compiling a 5.45 ERA in the first half, Holmes has now put up a much-improved 3.98 ERA in the second half. RHP Sam Bragg pitched 1 1/3 perfect innings in relief to pick up his 6th save for Midland. Shortstop Jorge Mateo had 2 hits, including a double, and drove in a run, while right fielder Tyler Ramirez singled, doubled and walked, and catcher Sean Murphy and third baseman Sheldon Neuse each singled twice and drove in a run for the RockHounds.
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PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Nashville Sounds 2
Memphis Redbirds 3
LP – Doubront 2-3 / 4.58
Prospect Of The Game:
Shortstop Yairo Munoz
(2 for 3 / Double)
The Sounds came up short in a one-run game to suffer their fourth loss in their last five contests on Wednesday. LHP Felix Doubront made his first start of the season in place of Zach Neal, who was designated for assignment by Oakland earlier in the day, and allowed 2 runs in 3 innings of work to take the loss. Shortstop Yairo Munoz singled and doubled for the Sounds’ only extra-base hit of the game, while center fielder Jaycob Brugman and designated hitter Renato Nunez both singled in runs, and catcher Josh Phegley went 1 for 3 with a pair of strikeouts in his first rehab game for Nashville. Meanwhile, the A’s sent RHP Josh Smith back to the Sounds and acquired LHP Sam Moll from the Rockies organization and assigned him to Nashville on Wednesday.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Stockton Ports 5
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 3
WP – Romero 2-1 / 8.22
HR – Pimentel (13), Martin (1)
Prospect Of The Game:
Shortstop Richie Martin
(3 for 4 / Home Run / 2 RBIs)
The Ports prevailed for the sixth time in their last seven games on Wednesday. Shortstop Richie Martin collected 3 hits, including a home run, and drove in 2 runs, while first baseman Sandber Pimentel singled, homered for the second straight night and drove in 3. Starter Brandon Bailey threw 3 shutout innings in his return from the disabled list, while RHP Miguel Romero tossed 2 2/3 scoreless frames to earn the win, and RHP Nolan Blackwood pitched 1 1/3 perfect innings to pick up his 16th save for the Ports. And while Bailey returned from the disabled list, Stockton LHP Dalton Sawyer landed on the disabled list on Wednesday.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
Beloit Snappers
(POSTPONED)
NEW YORK-PENN LEAGUE (Class-A Short-Season)
Lowell Spinners 4
Vermont Lake Monsters 7
WP – Blanco 4-5 / 3.75
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Argenis Blanco
(6 IP / 7 H / 2 ER / 0 BB / 2 K / Win)
21-year-old Venezuelan RHP Argenis Blanco turned in his second straight quality start for the Lake Monsters, allowing 3 runs, just 2 earned, over 6 innings of work to earn his 4th win, while LHP Josh Reagan threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief to pick up his 1st save for Vermont. Center fielder Logan Farrar collected 3 hits, including a pair of doubles, and drove in 2 runs, while shortstop Kevin Merrell singled, doubled and scored twice. First baseman Hunter Hargrove had 2 hits and drove in a pair, and right fielder Anthony Churlin doubled in a run for the Lake Monsters.
ARIZONA LEAGUE (Rookie Short-Season)
AZL A’s 5
AZL D-backs 1
WP – Hurtado 3-0 / 1.82
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Austin Beck
(1 for 3 / Triple / 2 Walks / 2 RBIs / Stolen Base)
The A’s top draft pick, center fielder Austin Beck, tripled, walked twice, stole a base and drove in a pair of runs to help the AZL A’s win on Wednesday. And after getting off to a rough start, the 18-year-old has now gone 6 for 22 with 2 home runs, 6 walks and 9 RBIs over his last 6 games for the A’s. Left fielder Ben Spitznagel had 2 hits, including a double, while third baseman Jake Lumley singled in a pair of runs, and rehabbing first baseman Chris Iriart singled, walked and scored twice. Starter Richard Jose Morban threw 3 shutout frames, while LHP Jhenderson Hurtado tossed 3 scoreless innings in relief to earn his 3rd win for the A’s on Wednesday.
Thursday’s Games:
Nashville @ Memphis – 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
NW Arkansas @ Midland – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Stockton @ Rancho Cucamonga – 7:05pm PT
Wisconsin @ Beloit (Game #1) – 2:00pm PT / 4:00pm CT
Wisconsin @ Beloit (Game #2)
Lowell @ Vermont – 4:05pm PT / 7:05pm ET
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