by Rachel Davis / A’s Farm Nashville Contributor
Each week, we’ll be taking a look at some of the top performers for the A’s top affiliate, the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, over the past week. This week covers the period from Monday, June 18 through Sunday, June 24. So, let’s see who was busy making “sounds” for Nashville last week…
Third Baseman Sheldon Neuse
After struggling mightily through the first two months of the season, Neuse has finally started to settle in in the month of June, and he’s been a consistent contributor over the past few weeks for the Sounds. Last week, the 23-year-old went 8 for 22 and hit his first home run of the season in the Sounds’ only win of the week against Round Rock on Thursday night. Neuse collected a total of three extra-base hits on the week while raising his average from .212 to .225, and he’s now hitting .305 in the month of June.
First Baseman/Outfielder Nick Martini
Nick Martini had what will likely be one of the most memorable weeks of his baseball career last week. For the Sounds, the 27-year-old continued to be an on-base machine. His on-base streak climbed to 54 consecutive games, which is the longest streak since the Pacific Coast League started tracking the statistic in 2009 and the longest active streak in professional baseball. Martini’s impressive play in Nashville obviously got Oakland’s attention. He was called up after Friday’s game and he ended up notching his first major league hit and driving in the game-winning run for the A’s on Saturday. Martini has since returned to the Sounds and still leads the team in both hits and walks while also boasting a team-best on-base percentage of .421.
Outfielder Ramon Laureano
In a week in which Nashville lost five out of six games, Laureano helped lead the Sounds to their only win of the week. In Nashville’s 7-4 win over Round Rock on Thursday, Laureano slugged his fourth home run of the season in the sixth inning and then, with the bases loaded and the game tied in the seventh, Laureano lined a single to left field to drive in the winning run for the Sounds. In 30 games this season since returning from the disabled list, the 23-year-old has drawn 17 walks while notching four home runs and five stolen bases and posting a .356 on-base percentage for Nashville.
Pitcher James Naile
Naile has been Nashville’s most dependable starter this season, and he turned in another strong start for the Sounds last week. On Friday, the 25-year-old allowed just two runs over seven solid innings. Unfortunately, after Naile’s exit, Round Rock pushed the winning run across the plate in the eighth inning to notch a one-run win over Nashville. On the season, Naile has compiled a 3.93 ERA while leading the Sounds with 15 starts and 87 innings pitched.
Pitcher Bobby Wahl
Wahl continues to be a source of dependability for the Sounds bullpen. Last week, the 26-year-old threw 3 1/3 innings over three appearances, allowing just one hit and one run while striking out five without issuing a single walk. Over 31 1/3 innings this season, Wahl has struck out 47 while leading the Sounds with seven saves.
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