Monday, April 9th: Erwin Pitches Ports to 4th Straight Victory while Friedrichs Helps Hounds Win & Anderson Takes the Loss in Sounds Debut

A’s Prospect Of The Day: Stockton Ports Pitcher Zack Erwin (6 IP / 2 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 8 K / Win)
A’s Prospect Of The Day: Stockton Ports Pitcher Zack Erwin (6 IP / 2 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 8 K / Win)

 

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE  (High-A)

Rancho Cucamonga Quakes  2

Stockton Ports                     10

WP – Erwin 1-0 / 0.00

Prospect Of The Game:

Pitcher Zack Erwin

(6 IP / 2 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 8 K / Win)

The Ports won their fourth straight behind another outstanding pitching performance and, on Monday, it was LHP Zack Erwin’s turn to impress. The 24-year-old allowed just 2 hits while walking none and striking out 8 over 6 shutout innings to earn the win for Stockton. Erwin retired 13 straight batters at one point, and Stockton’s starters have now allowed just 1 run while striking out 35 in 25 2/3 innings over Stockton’s first five games this season. LHP Andrew Tomasovich allowed 2 runs in 1 2/3 innings of relief, and RHP Sam Sheehan got the final four outs for the Ports to close out the win. Right fielder Luis Barrera tripled, walked, stole a base and drove in 4 runs, while first baseman Edwin Diaz had a pair of hits and drove in a run. Designated hitter Greg Deichmann collected his 4th double of the season, drew a walk and scored twice, and shortstop Kevin Merrell singled twice and drove in a pair for the Ports. Stockton RHP Jake Bray, acquired from the Orioles organization in the offseason, has worked as a reliever throughout his career, but the A’s are converting him into a starting pitcher, and he’s set to take the mound as the sixth member of Stockton’s starting rotation on Tuesday. And in other news, A’s catcher Josh Phegley is set to begin a rehab assignment with Stockton on Tuesday.

Click here for more on Nashville, Midland & Beloit…

 

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE  (Triple-A)

Nashville Sounds             4

New Orleans Baby Cakes  7

LP – Anderson 0-1 / 0.00

HR – Heathcott (1)

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Prospect Of The Game:

Outfielder Anthony Garcia

(2 for 3 / Walk / 2 Doubles / 2 RBIs)

 

Starter Brett Anderson was undone by shaky defense in his Sounds debut on Monday. Two fielding errors by third baseman Sheldon Neuse to start off the bottom of the 1st inning set the table and Anderson ended up being charged with 5 unearned on 6 hits while walking none and striking out 4 over 4 innings of work to suffer the loss as the Sounds dropped their fourth straight. Anderson threw 45 strikes and 16 balls in the outing. RHP Raul Alcantara took over in the 5th and allowed 2 runs, 1 earned, over 4 frames in relief. Right fielder Anthony Garcia doubled twice, walked and drove in a pair, while first baseman Slade Heathcott homered, and center fielder Dustin Fowler singled twice for the Sounds in the loss. RHP James Naile is set to take the mound for the Sounds in Nashville’s home opener at First Tennessee Park on Tuesday.

 

TEXAS LEAGUE  (Double-A)

Tulsa Drillers                  3

Midland RockHounds  7

WP – Friedrichs 1-0 / 1.50

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Prospect Of The Game:

Pitcher Kyle Friedrichs

(6 IP / 3 H / 1 ER / 0 BB / 4 K / Win)

 

RHP Kyle Friedrichs turned in a strong start for Midland on Monday, allowing 1 run on just 3 hits over 6 innings of work to earn the win for the RockHounds. RHP Sam Bragg gave up 1 run in 2 innings of relief, while RHP Nolan Blackwood got the final three outs to close out the victory for the Hounds. Left fielder Tyler Ramirez continued his hot hitting, collecting 2 hits, including a double, while driving in a pair of runs to raise his average on the season to .400. Shortstop Eli White singled, walked twice and stole a base, while center fielder Brett Vertigan doubled, walked and scored twice. Second baseman Melvin Mercedes had a pair of hits, stole a base and drove in a run, and J.P. Sportman made his first career start at third base for Midland on Monday.

 

MIDWEST LEAGUE  (Class-A)

Beloit Snappers

Burlington Bees

(POSTPONED)

 

Tuesday’s Games:

Iowa @ Nashville – 4:35pm PT / 6:35pm CT

Tulsa @ Midland – 4:30pm PT / 6:30pm CT

Rancho Cucamonga @ Stockton – 11:10am PT

Beloit @ Burlington – 4:30pm PT / 6:30pm CT

 

Zack Erwin
Zack Erwin

 

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