TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Corpus Christi Hooks 5
Midland RockHounds 6
WP: Blackwood 3-2 / 3.89
HR: Sportman (8), E.White (8)
Prospect Of The Game:
Second Baseman Eli White
(4 for 5 / Home Run / Double / 3 RBIs)
Second baseman Eli White’s hot hitting helped lead the RockHounds to a walk-off win on Thursday. With his team down by three runs and two men on in the bottom of the 9th, White stepped to the plate and smacked a three-run homer to tie the game. After left felder Tyler Ramirez lined out, third baseman J.P. Sportman then slugged a solo shot to give the RockHounds the walk-off win. White also doubled and singled twice in the game to raise his batting average to .331, which is good for second best in Texas League. White is batting a robust .579 over his last 10 games and also boasts team bests with a .416 on-base percentage and a .510 slugging percentage. Starter Logan Shore allowed 4 runs over 6 frames, while RHP John Gorman tossed 2 scoreless innings in relief, and RHP Nolan Blackwood recorded the win despite giving up 1 run in the top of the 9th for the RockHounds. Meanwhile, RHP Norge Ruiz was reassigned to the RockHounds from the Sounds on Thursday.
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PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Nashville Sounds 8
Iowa Cubs 7
WP: Jokisch 3-8 / 4.50
HR: Garcia (15)
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Eric Jokisch
(6 1/3 IP / 5 H / 2 ER / 2 BB / 6 K / Win)
The Sounds returned from the Triple-A All-Star break to win their fourth straight on Thursday, and LHP Eric Jokisch returned from a brief stay on the disabled list to turn in a solid start for Nashville. Jokisch allowed 2 runs and struck out 6 over 6 1/3 innings to earn his 3rd win, while RHP Liam Hendriks was charged with 4 runs in 1 inning of relief, and RHP J.B. Wendelken got the final five outs for the Sounds to notch his 3rd save for Nashville. Left fielder Anthony Garcia singled, walked and hit a two-run homer, while catcher Bruce Maxwell singled twice, walked and drove in 2 runs for the Sounds. And with A’s RHP Trevor Cahill returning from the disabled list, RHP Chris Bassitt was sent back to the Sounds and RHP Norge Ruiz was ressigned to the RockHounds on Thursday.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
San Jose Giants 5
Stockton Ports 8
WP: Gilbert 4-2 / 2.50
HR: Pimentel (9), Chavez (1)
Prospect Of The Game:
First Baseman Sandber Pimentel
(3 for 4 / Home Run / 2 RBIs)
First baseman Sandber Pimentel helped the Ports prevail over San Jose on Thursday. With a man on and Stockton down by a run in the 6th inning, Pimentel slugged a two-run homer to provide the margin of victory for the Ports. Pimentel also singled twice for Stockton, while catcher Santiago Chavez doubled and hit a two-run homer, and left fielder Luke Persico singled, doubled twice, stole a base and drove in a run. Starter Zack Erwin allowed 5 runs over 5 frames, while LHP Will Gilbert tossed 2 scoreless innings in relief to pick up his 4th win, and RHP Trey Cochran-Gill got the final three outs to secure his 1st save for Stockton.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Beloit Snappers 8
South Bend Cubs 1
WP: Ruiz 3-6 / 5.05
HR: Hargrove (7)
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Jean Ruiz
(6 IP / 6 H / 1 ER / 1 BB / 1 K / Win)
RHP Jean Ruiz turned in his second straight strong start to help the Snappers win their eighth straight on Thursday. The 21-year-old allowed just 1 run over 6 innings of work to earn his 3rd win for the Snappers. First baseman Hunter Hargrove singled, doubled, homered and drove in 2 runs, while designated hitter Logan Farrar had 3 hits, including a triple, and drove in a pair, and center fielder Austin Beck doubled and drove in a run with a sacrifice fly for the Snappers.
NEW YORK-PENN LEAGUE (Class-A Short-Season)
Vermont Lake Monsters 9
State College Spikes 10
LP: Nightengale 0-1 / 7.71
HR: J.Rivas (1)
Prospect Of The Game:
Catcher Jose Rivas
(2 for 3 / Home Run / Double / 3 RBIs)
The Lake Monsters suffered a one-run loss to State College on Thursday. 21-year-old Dominican RHP Rafael Kelly made the start and surrendered 6 runs in just 2 1/3 innings of work, while LHP Brandon Marsonek gave up 2 runs in 3 innings of relief, and this year’s 16th-round draft pick for the A’s, RHP Bryce Nightengale, allowed the winning run in the bottom of the 8th to take the loss for the Lake Monsters. 19-year-old Venezuelan catcher Jose Rivas homered, doubled and drove in 3 runs, while first baseman Alfonso Rivas and third baseman Jonah Bride had 3 hits apiece for Vermont.
Friday’s Games:
Nashville @ Iowa (Game #1): 11:08am PT / 1:08pm CT
Nashville @ Iowa (Game #2): 5:08pm PT / 7:08pm CT
Corpus Christi @ Midland: 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Stockton @ Modesto: 7:05pm PT
Beloit @ South Bend: 4:35pm PT / 6:35pm CT
Vermont @ State College: 4:05pm PT / 7:05pm ET
AZL Indians-1 @ AZL A’s: 7:00pm PT
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