CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Stockton Ports 9
San Jose Giants 3
WP: Milburn 9-5 / 3.49
HR: Pimentel (15), Diaz (12), Persico (5)
Prospect Of The Game:
Third Baseman Luke Persico
(2 for 5 / Home Run / Double / 3 RBIs)
Third baseman Luke Persico helped lead the Ports to their fourth straight win on Wednesday. Persico tagged a two-run homer and doubled in a run to take his team-leading total of two-baggers to 31, while first baseman Sandber Pimentel singled, walked and belted a two-run homer to bring his team-best total of round-trippers to 15. Shortstop Edwin Diaz also socked a two-run shot, and second baseman Trace Loehr singled, doubled and drove in a run for Stockton. Starter Grant Holmes, who’s been sidelined all year with a shoulder injury, made his season debut on Wednesday and allowed 1 run on 1 hit while striking out 4 over 3 innings of work. RHP Matt Milburn permitted 2 runs in 6 innings of relief to pick up his 9th win for the Ports. And while Holmes’ was added to the roster on Wednesday, LHP Evan Manarino was placed on the disabled list.
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PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Nashville Sounds 0
New Orleans Baby Cakes 2
LP: Kiekhefer 8-1 / 3.83
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Carlos Ramirez
(4 IP / 3 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 2 K)
The Sounds were shut out on just five hits on Wednesday. With the Sounds pitching staff short on starters at the moment, reliever Carlos Ramirez was called on to make the start and was solid, throwing 4 scoreless frames before exiting with the game a scoreless tie. But LHP Dean Kiekhefer gave up 1 run in 3 innings of relief to take the loss. Catcher Bruce Maxwell collected 2 hits, including a double, in the loss.
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
San Antonio Missions 4
Midland RockHounds 5
WP: Romero 1-1 / 6.43
HR: Sportman (13)
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Tyler Ramirez
(2 for 5 / Double / GWRBI)
Center fielder Tyler Ramirez had the big hit to help the RockHounds record their sixth win in their last seven games on Wednesday. With the game tied in the bottom of the 10th, Ramirez singled in the winning run as the RockHounds won in a walk-off. Ramirez also drilled a double in the game, while right fielder J.P. Sportman hit a two-run homer, and left fielder Brett Vertigan had 3 hits for the Hounds. RHP Ben Bracewell turned in a strong start, permitting 3 runs and striking out 10 over 7 innings of work, while RHP Miguel Romero allowed just 1 unearned run in 3 innings of relief to register the win for the RockHounds.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Beloit Snappers 5
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 3
WP: Jordan 7-4 / 2.68
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Gus Varland
(4 IP / 2 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 7 K)
This year’s 14th-round draft pick for the A’s, RHP Gus Varland, made the start on Wednesday and turned in another impressive outing. The 21-year-old allowed just 2 hits and struck out 7 over 4 scoreless frames, and he’s now allowed just 1 earned run and struck out 24 over 15 1/3 innings for the Snappers. RHP Mitchell Jordan picked up the win despite giving up 3 runs, 2 earned, in 2 2/3 innings of relief, while RHP Nick Highberger got the final five outs for the Snappers to secure his 6th save. Catcher Jordan Devencenzi had 2 hits, including a double, and drove in 2 runs, while shortstop Nick Allen tripled in a pair, and second baseman Ryan Gridley had 3 hits for the Snappers.
NEW YORK-PENN LEAGUE (Class-A Short-Season)
Vermont Lake Monsters 10
Staten Island Yankees 3
WP: Cohen 2-2 / 4.13
HR: Vaughan (1)
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Chase Cohen
(5 IP / 1 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 4 K / Win)
This year’s 9th-round draft pick for the A’s, RHP Chase Cohen, turned in his second straight scoreless start for the Lake Monsters on Wednesday, allowing just 1 hit and striking out 4 while throwing 5 scoreless frames to earn the victory for Vermont. LHP Chris Kohler secured the save despite giving up 3 runs in 4 innings of relief. Center fielder Noah Vaughan had 3 hits, including a home run, and drove in 2 runs, while left fielder Joseph Pena tripled and drove in 3, and right fielder Nick Osborne singled, doubled and drove in a pair for the Lake Monsters.
Thursday’s Games:
Nashville @ New Orleans: 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
San Antonio @ Midland: 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Stockton @ San Jose: 12:30pm PT
Beloit @ Wisconsin: 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
Vermont @ Staten Island: 4:00pm PT / 7:00pm ET
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