TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Corpus Christi Hooks 1
Midland RockHounds 3
WP: Luzardo 7-3 / 2.36
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Jesus Luzardo
(5 IP / 1 H / 0 ER / 1 BB / 7 K / Win)
LHP Jesus Luzardo delivered another stellar start to extend his scoreless streak and lead the RockHounds to victory on Thursday. The 20-year-old threw 5 scoreless frames, striking out 7 while allowing just 2 baserunners, on a single and a walk – and he picked off one of them – to earn his 7th win for Midland. In the process, Luzardo extended his scoreless streak to 26 innings, and he’s now failed to allow an earned run over his last 33 frames for the Hounds. RHP Kyle Finnegan pitched a perfect 9th to pick up his 3rd save for Midland, while designated hitter Tyler Ramirez had 2 hits, including a double, and drove in a pair, and catcher Jonah Heim singled in a run for the RockHounds.
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PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Omaha Storm Chasers 2
Nashville Sounds 4
WP: Mengden 2-1 / 3.68
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Daniel Mengden
(7 IP / 5 H / 2 ER / 1 BB / 2 K / Win)
RHP Daniel Mengden turned in a strong start to help Nashville notch its third win in its last four games on Thursday. Mengden allowed 2 runs over 7 innings of work to earn his 2nd win for the Sounds, while RHP Liam Hendriks tossed a scoreless 8th, and RHP Bobby Wahl struck out the side in order in the 9th to tally his team-leading 11th save. Designated hitter Bruce Maxwell had 2 hits and drove in a run, while second baseman Melvin Mercedes singled twice and drove in a pair for the Sounds.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Lancaster JetHawks 4
Stockton Ports 5
WP: Sheehan 3-2 / 3.76
HR: Pimentel 2 (13)
Prospect Of The Game:
First Baseman Sandber Pimentel
(2 for 3 / 2 Home Runs / 5 RBIs)
First baseman Sandber Pimentel had another big night at the plate to help the Ports prevail for the third time in their last four games on Thursday. The 23-year-old slugged a pair of home runs, a three-run shot in the 6th followed by a two-run blast in the 8th that provided the margin of victory for the Ports. Pimentel’s 13 home runs on the season have all come in the last four weeks, and he’s now hit more home runs than any other minor league player since June 21. Third baseman William Toffey had a pair of singles to provide the Ports’ only other hits on the night. Starter Kyle Friedrichs allowed 4 runs over 5 frames, while RHP Sam Sheehan tossed a scoreless 8th to pick up his 3rd win, and RHP Angel Duno got the final three outs in the 9th to notch his 10th save for Stockton.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Bowling Green Hot Rods 8
Beloit Snappers 0
LP: Andueza 1-6 / 5.27
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Mickey McDonald
(1 for 2 / Double / Walk)
The Snappers were shut out on just four hits to snap their four-game winning streak on Thursday. Starter Ivan Andueza surrendered 7 runs, 5 earned, over 4 1/3 frames to suffer his 6th loss for the Snappers. Right fielder Mickey McDonald drew a walk and doubled for Beloit’s only extra-base hit in the loss. In other news, the A’s released Snappers outfielder JaVon Shelby on Thursday. The team’s 5th-round draft pick in 2016 was batting .118 with 48 strikeouts in 93 at-bats for Beloit this season.
NEW YORK-PENN LEAGUE (Class-A Short-Season)
Staten Island Yankees 1
Vermont Lake Monsters 2
WP: Cohen 1-0 / 1.64
HR: Bride (1)
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Abdiel Mendoza
(6 IP / 3 H / 1 ER / 1 BB / 4 K)
19-year-old Panamanian RHP Abdiel Mendoza turned in an outstanding start for the Lake Monsters, allowing 1 run on just 3 hits over 6 innings of work, but he exited with the game a 1-1 tie on Thursday. This year’s 9th-round draft pick for the A’s, RHP Chase Cohen, threw 3 scoreless innings in relief to pick up his first pro victory for Vermont. This year’s 23rd-round pick, third baseman Jonah Bride, hit his first pro home run, and 22-year-old Panamanian catcher Robert Mullen singled in the winning run in the bottom of the 9th as the Lake Monsters won in a walk-off on Thursday.
ARIZONA LEAGUE (Rookie Short-Season)
AZL A’s 5
AZL Royals 3
WP: Morban 1-2 / 3.34
HR: Mercedes (1)
Prospect Of The Game:
Third Baseman Miguel Mercedes
(3 for 3 / Home Run / Double / 3 RBIs)
The AZL A’s collected their third win in their last four games on Thursday. Third baseman Miguel Mercedes singled, doubled, homered and drove in 3 runs, while 19-year-old Dominican shortstop Christopher Quintin singled, doubled twice, drove in a run and stole a base. Rehabbing right fielder Greg Deichmann douled in a run, while this year’s 8th-round draft pick for the A’s, designated hitter JJ Schwarz, singled, doubled and scored twice in his professional debut on Thursday. 20-year-old Dominican RHP Richard Morban turned in a solid start, allowing just 1 run over 5 frames to earn the win, while this year’s 21st-round pick, RHP Daniel Martinez, tossed 2 scoreless innings in relief to secure the save for the A’s.
Friday’s Games:
Oklahoma City @ Nashville: 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
Corpus Christi @ Midland: 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Lancaster @ Stockton: 7:10pm PT
Bowling Green @ Beloit: 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Vermont @ Hudson Valley: 4:05pm PT / 7:05pm ET
AZL Giants Black @ AZL A’s: 7:00pm PT
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