TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals 4
Midland RockHounds 11
WP: Friedrichs 3-3 / 7.06
HR: Marincov (9)
Prospect Of The Game:
Designated Hitter Tyler Marincov
(3 for 5 / Home Run / 3 RBIs)
The RockHounds notched the win over the Naturals on Friday to run their record back to an even .500. Designated hitter Tyler Marincov had another big night, notching 3 hits, including his team-leading 9th home run, while driving in 3 runs, and he’s now 10 for 26 with 5 home runs and 13 RBIs over his last 6 games for the RockHounds. Shortstop Richie Martin continued his hot hitting, collecting 2 hits, including a triple, drawing a walk and driving in a run while raising his batting average to a robust .346. Catcher Sean Murphy had 2 hits, including a double, drew a pair of walks and scored twice, while first baseman Seth Brown singled, doubled and drove in a pair. Third baseman Mikey White had 3 hits, and center fielder Brett Vertigan singled, drew a pair of walks, scored twice and drove in 3 runs for the RockHounds. RHP Kyle Friedrichs turned in a strong start in his return to the RockHounds from the Sounds, allowing 2 runs over 7 innings of work to earn his 3rd win for Midland.
Click here for more on Nashville, Stockton & Beloit…
PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Nashville Sounds 5
Round Rock Express 6
LP: Bracewell 0-1 / 7.20
HR: Smolinski (5), Laureano (2)
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Ramon Laureano
(2 for 5 / Home Run / 2 RBIs)
The Sounds came up short on Friday to see their record fall to a game over .500. Right fielder Ramon Laureano had 2 hits, including a two-run homer, while center fielder Jake Smolinski singled and hit his third home run in the last two days and his fifth in 14 games for the Sounds. Starter Ben Bracewell surrendered 4 runs over 5 frames to suffer the loss in his first appearance since his promotion to Nashville. And with Marcus Semien returning from paternity leave for Oakland, the A’s sent infielder Franklin Barreto back to the Sounds on Friday.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Stockton Ports 9
Visalia Rawhide 4
WP: Milburn 2-2 / 4.91
HR: Heim (4)
Prospect Of The Game:
Second Baseman Nate Mondou
(2 for 5 / Triple / Double / 2 RBIs)
Stockton snatched a victory over Visalia to win its fourth straight on Friday. Second baseman Nate Mondou tripled, doubled and drove in a pair to take sole possession of the team’s RBI lead with a total of 30. Catcher Jonah Heim homered to tie the game in the top of the 6th, while designated hitter Luke Persico singled in the winning run later in the same frame. Center fielder Skye Bolt and shortstop Kevin Merrell had a pair of hits apiece for the Ports. Starter Matt Milburn allowed 4 runs over 5 1/3 frames to earn the win in his first appearance since his return from the Sounds. Meanwhile, RHP Jake Bray was placed on the disabled list on Friday.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Beloit Snappers 4
Quad Cities River Bandits 2
WP: Damron 3-2 / 2.14
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Lazaro Armenteros
(2 for 5 / Double / RBI / Stolen Base)
The Snappers won their third straight on Friday to run their record within two games of .500. Left fielder Lazaro Armenteros had his second straight multi-hit game, collecting two hits, including an RBI double in the top of the 9th to provide an insurance run for Beloit. Armenteros also stole a base, and shortstop Nick Allen came in to score when there was a throwing error on the play. Third baseman Jesus Lopez doubled in a run to put Beloit on the board in the 4th, and second baseman Trace Loehr singled in the winning run for the Snappers in the top of the 8th. LHP Ivan Andueza turned in a solid start, allowing 2 runs and striking out 5 over 5 frames, but he left with the game a 2-2 tie. LHP Ty Damron tossed 2 scoreless innings in relief to earn his 3rd win, while RHP Jesus Zambrano got the final six outs for the Snappers to secure his 2nd save.
Saturday’s Games:
Nashville @ Round Rock: 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
NW Arkansas @ Midland: 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Stockton @ Visalia: 7:00pm PT
Beloit @ Quad Cities: 4:35pm PT / 6:35pm CT
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.