(2 for 3 / Home Run / 3 RBIs / 2 Walks)
PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
El Paso Chihuahuas 4
WP: Buchanan 1-0 / 3.00
HR: Payton (1)
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Mark Payton
(2 for 3 / Home Run / 3 RBIs / 2 Walks)
The Aviators pushed 12 runs across the plate to score their second straight victory over El Paso on Friday. Left fielder Mark Payton, who was acquired by the A’s in the minor league portion of the Rule-5 draft this offseason, slugged a three-run homer, singled, drew a pair of walks and scored twice, while third baseman Sheldon Neuse singled in a run and walked twice, and right fielder Dustin Fowler and shortstop Jorge Mateo had a pair of hits apiece and each swiped a base. Starter Jake Buchanan, who was signed as a minor league free agent in the offseason, permitted 2 runs over 6 innings of work to earn the win, while LHP Wei-Chung Wang and RHP Miguel Romero each allowed a run in relief for Las Vegas. In other news, RHP Parker Bridwell, who was on the Aviators roster, was released by the A’s on Friday. You can find the Las Vegas Aviators updated roster here.
Click here for more on Midland, Stockton & Beloit…
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Midland RockHounds 1
Frisco RoughRiders 4
LP: McNutt 0-1 / 27.00
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Brian Howard
(5 IP / 3 H / 1 ER / 3 BB / 4 K)
The RockHounds registered their first loss of the season despite a strong start by RHP Brian Howard on Friday. Howard allowed just 1 run over 5 innings of work and left with the game a 1-1 tie. RHP Norge Ruiz tossed 2 scoreless innings in relief, but RHP Trey McNutt who spent the last two seasons pitching in independent ball, gave up a game-winning three-run homer in the bottom of the 8th inning to suffer the loss. Center fielder Luis Barrera collected a pair of hits, while left fielder Dairon Blanco walked, swiped a pair of bases and singled in the RockHounds’ sole run, and catcher Collin Theroux, second baseman Nate Mondou and third baseman Mikey White each doubled in the loss. You can find the Midland RockHounds current roster here.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 4
Stockton Ports 3
LP: Sheehan 0-1 / 6.75
HR: Allen (1), A.Rivas (1)
Prospect Of The Game:
Shortstop Nick Allen
(2 for 3 / Home Run / Double / RBI)
Proving that the California League provides a far more hitter-friendly environment than the Midwest League, Nick Allen surpassed his 2018 home run total for Beloit by homering in the 1st inning for Stockton on Friday. The 5-foot-8 shortstop also collected a double in the game. First baseman Alfonso Rivas ripped a homer of his own in the 1st, while third baseman Jonah Bride doubled, walked and scored a run, and left fielder Lazaro Armenteros singled in the go-ahead run for the Ports in the 5th. RHP Mitchell Jordan turned in a solid start for Stockton, allowing 2 runs while striking out 7 over 5 frames, but RHP Sam Sheehan was charged with 2 runs, 1 earned, in 1 1/3 innings of work to suffer the loss for Stockton. You can find the Stockton Ports current roster here.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 5
Beloit Snappers 6
WP: Nightengale 1-0 / 2.45
Prospect Of The Game:
Third Baseman Nick Ward
(4 for 4)
The Snappers held on to secure a one-run win over Wisconsin on Friday. Last year’s 34th-round draft pick for the A’s, third baseman Nick Ward, collected 4 hits in his Midwest League debut, while 20-year-old Cuban left fielder Lester Madden had 3 hits, including a triple, and drove in a pair. Center fielder Chase Calabuig singled twice, doubled and drove in a run, and shortstop Marcos Brito doubled in a pair for the Snappers. Starter Adam Reuss gave up 3 runs over 4 1/3 frames, while last year’s 16th-round pick, RHP Bryce Nightengale, allowed 1 run in 3 2/3 innings of relief to earn the win, and RHP Brandon Withers notched the final out in the 9th to secure the save for the Snappers. You can find the Beloit Snappers current roster here.
Saturday’s Games:
Las Vegas @ El Paso: 6:05pm PT
Midland @ Frisco: 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
Rancho Cucamonga @ Stockton: 7:10pm PT
Beloit @ Peoria: 4:35pm PT / 6:35pm CT
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