PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Tacoma Rainiers 3
Nashville Sounds 11
WP: Kiekhefer 3-0 / 1.59
HR: Garcia (9)
Prospect Of The Game:
Designated Hitter Anthony Garcia
(Grand Slam / Double / 5 RBIs)
With the bases loaded, two outs and the Sounds up by a run in the bottom of the 2nd inning, designated hitter Anthony Garcia stepped to the plate and slugged a grand slam to give Nashville an edge too large for Tacoma to overcome on Friday. Garcia also doubled in a run in the 4th, and his 11 doubles and 9 home runs both lead the team. Left fielder BJ Boyd singled, doubled and drove in a run, while center fielder Jake Smolinski singled, walked twice and drove in a pair, and first baseman Steve Lombardozzi and right fielder Ramon Laureano each singled, drew 3 walks and scored twice for the Sounds. With scheduled starter Chris Bassitt having to make Saturday’s start for the A’s, RHP J.B. Wendelken made the emergency start for the Sounds and allowed 1 run while walking none and striking out 7 over 3 innings of work. LHP Dean Kiekhefer took over for Wendelken and threw 3 scoreless frames to earn his 3rd win for the Sounds. Veteran RHP Edwin Jackson, who was recently signed to a minor league deal, is set to make his first start for the Sounds on Saturday. And with A’s reliever Santiago Casilla returning from the disabled list, RHP Ryan Dull was returned to Nashville on Friday.
Click here for more on Midland, Stockton & Beloit…
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Midland RockHounds 4
San Antonio Missions 5
LP: Stull 1-1 / 4.22
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Norge Ruiz
(5 IP / 5 H / 0 ER / 2 BB / 5 K)
The RockHounds fell for the third time in their last four games to see their record fall to two games under .500 on Friday. RHP Norge Ruiz turned in his second straight solid start, allowing just 1 unearned run while striking out 5 over 5 frames. LHP Pat Krall surrendered 2 runs in 2/3 of an inning in relief, while RHP John Gorman gave up 1 run in 1 1/3 innings, and LHP Cody Stull was charged with 1 unearned run after Santiago Chavez‘s passed ball in the bottom of the 9th to take the loss as San Antonio won in a walk-off. Designated hiter Tyler Ramirez singled, doubled and drove in a run, while third baseman Edwin Diaz went 1 for 3 with a double and a walk in his Double-A debut on Friday.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Visalia Rawhide 5
Stockton Ports 2
LP: Erwin 5-4 / 4.38
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Skye Bolt
(1 for 3 / Double / Walk / Stolen Base)
Stockton scored two runs on just four hits to have its three-game winning streak snapped on Friday. Starter Zack Erwin surrendered 4 runs over 7 frames to suffer his 4th loss for the Ports. Center fielder Skye Bolt doubled, walked and stole a base, while right fielder Dairon Blanco tripled, scored a run and tallied his team-leading 19th stolen base for Stockton.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Burlington Bees 5
Beloit Snappers 1
LP: Marks 3-5 / 4.66
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Jack Meggs
(1 for 2 / 2 Walks)
The Snappers scored just one run on five hits to drop their second straight on Friday. Starter Wyatt Marks gave up 5 runs over 5 frames to suffer his 5th loss, while RHP Adam Reuss threw 3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen for Beloit. Right fielder Jack Meggs singled and drew a pair of walks, while shortstop Jesus Lopez singled in the Snappers’ sole run in the loss.
Saturday’s Games:
Tacoma @ Nashville: 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
Midland @ Frisco: 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
Visalia @ Stockton: 7:10pm PT
Burlington @ Beloit: 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
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