(2 for 5 / 2 Home Runs)
PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Las Vegas Aviators 9
El Paso Chihuahuas 8
WP: Triggs 1-0 / 18.00
HR: Fowler (2), Mateo (1)
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Dustin Fowler
(2 for 5 / 2 Home Runs)
The Aviators hung on to win a one-run game in their debut as the A’s new Triple-A affiliate on Thursday. Center fielder Dustin Fowler came up big, homering in the 6th inning and then homering again in the 8th to snap a 6-6 tie and give Las Vegas the lead. Shortstop Jorge Mateo had a big game as well, tagging a two-run homer in the 6th while also collecting a triple and a single on the night. Left fielder Tyler Ramirez had 3 hits, including an RBI double, in his Triple-A debut. Third baseman Sheldon Neuse singled, doubled and walked, while second baseman Franklin Barreto drew a walk and doubled in a run. Catcher Sean Murphy singled twice and drove in a run, and right fielder Skye Bolt singled in a run, stole a base and made a diving catch in the bottom of the 9th to preserve the win. Starter Daniel Mengden allowed 4 runs, 3 earned, while striking out 7 over 5 frames. LHP Jerry Blevins and RHP Ryan Dull each notched 3 strikeouts in 1 inning of work. RHP Andrew Triggs picked up the win despite giving up 2 runs in 1 inning of relief, and RHP Brian Schlitter recorded the save despite surrendering 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th for Vegas. You can find the Las Vegas Aviators opening day roster here.
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TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Midland RockHounds 3
Frisco RoughRiders 0
WP: Naile 1-0 / 0.00
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher James Naile
(6 IP / 4 H / 0 ER / 1 BB / 2 K / Win)
The RockHounds shut out the RoughRiders on just 5 hits to record the win on opening night. Starter James Naile allowed 4 hits over 6 shutout frames to earn the victory, while RHP John Gorman tossed 2 scoreless innings in relief, and RHP Kyle Finnegan pitched a scoreless 9th to notch the save. Center fielder Luis Barrera had 3 hits, drew a walk and drove in a run, while right fielder Greg Deichmann singled and doubled twice in his Double-A debut, and shortstop and leadoff hitter Kevin Merrell singled twice, scored twice and stole a base in the win. You can find the Midland RockHounds opening day roster here.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 1
Stockton Ports 4
WP: Jefferies 1-0 / 0.00
HR: Eierman (1)
Prospect Of The Game:
Second Baseman Jeremy Eierman
(1 for 4 / Home Run / 2 RBIs)
The Ports pitching staff held the Quakes to just 2 hits as Stockton secured the win on opening night. Rehabbing RHP Chris Bassitt made the start and struck out 7 while pitching 3 perfect frames. RHP Daulton Jefferies, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2017, replaced Bassitt on the mound and allowed just 1 hit while striking out 4 over 3 scoreless innings in his first appearance for the Ports in almost two years. LHP Jared Poche permitted 1 unearned run in 2 1/3 innings of work, while RHP Trey Cochran-Gill got the final two outs to pick up the save for the Ports. In the bottom of the 1st, first baseman Alfonso Rivas doubled in a pair of runs, and second baseman Jeremy Eierman then tagged a two-run homer to provide the Ports with all the offense they would need on Thursday night. Shortstop Nick Allen walked 3 times, while left fielder Lazaro Armenteros doubled and drew a walk, and center fielder Austin Beck went 0 for 4 with 4 strikeouts as all three A’s prospects made their California League debuts on Thursday. You can find the Stockton Ports opening day roster here.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 6
Beloit Snappers 1
LP: Cohen 0-1 / 5.40
Prospect Of The Game:
First Baseman Payton Squier
(2 for 3)
The Snappers came up short on opening night in Beloit on Thursday. Last year’s 9th-round draft pick for the A’s, RHP Chase Cohen, made the start and allowed 2 runs in 3 1/3 innings of work to suffer the loss for the Snappers. Last year’s 11th-round pick, RHP Joe DeMers, threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings in his pro debut, while former infielder Eric Marinez struck out 2 in 1 scoreless frame in his pitching debut. RHP Jeferson Mejia gave up 4 runs in 2/3 of an inning in relief, and RHP Wandisson Charles struck out the side in the 9th. First baseman Payton Squier and 20-year-old Cuban center fielder Lester Madden picked up a pair of hits apiece for the Snappers in the loss. You can find the Beloit Snappers opening day roster here.
Friday’s Games:
Las Vegas @ El Paso: 6:05pm PT
Midland @ Frisco: 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
Rancho Cucamonga @ Stockton: 7:10pm PT
Wisconsin @ Beloit: 4:30pm PT / 6:30pm CT
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