Gus Varland (6 IP / 6 H / 1 ER / 2 BB / 5 K / Win)
San Jose Giants 7
Stockton Ports 8
WP: Varland 1-1 / 3.52
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Gus Varland
(6 IP / 6 H / 1 ER / 2 BB / 5 K / Win)
LHP A.J. Puk made his third start for Stockton on Friday and was a little shaky. He threw 47 pitches, 32 for strikes, in just 2 innings of work. Puk gave up 3 runs, 2 earned, on 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 2 for Stockton. RHP Gus Varland followed Puk on the mound and was outstanding, allowing 2 runs, just 1 earned, and striking out 5 over 6 innings of work to earn the win. RHP Wandisson Charles was charged with 2 unearned runs in the 9th but hung on to pick up the save for the Ports. First baseman Alfonso Rivas singled, tripled, drew a pair of walks and drove in a run, while center fielder Austin Beck had 3 hits to extend his hitting streak to 11 games, and third baseman Trace Loehr had a pair of hits, including a triple, and drove in 3 runs for the Ports.
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A’s Highlights…
PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Sacramento River Cats 12
Las Vegas Aviators 7
LP: Dull 1-2 / 5.81
HR: Neuse (11), Fowler (11), Heim (2)
Prospect Of The Game:
Second Baseman Sheldon Neuse
(4 for 5 / Home Run / Double)
Las Vegas lost in extra innings to snap its five-game winning streak on Friday. RHP Parker Dunshee had a rough start for the Aviators, giving up 5 runs over 4 frames, and RHP Ryan Dull surrendered 6 runs, 5 earned, in the top of the 10th inning to take the loss for Las Vegas. Sheldon Neuse, making his first start of the season at second base, collected 4 hits, including his 11th home run and his 19th double, while catcher Jonah Heim hit a three-run homer and doubled in a run, and right fielder Dustin Fowler doubled and slugged a solo shot for Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Aviators RHP J.B. Wendelken was recalled by the A’s on Friday.
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Arkansas Travelers 4
Midland RockHounds 1
LP: Howard 5-5 / 3.30
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Brian Howard
(6.1 IP / 6 H / 2 ER / 0 BB / 9 K)
RHP Brian Howard turned in a strong start on Friday, allowing 2 runs while walking none and striking out a season-high 9 over 6 1/3 innings of work, but he still ended up suffering the loss for the RockHounds. Left fielder Luis Barrera singled twice and stole a base, while shortstop Kevin Merrell tripled and scored a run, and catcher Collin Theroux doubled in the RockHounds’ sole run in the loss. Meanwhile, Midland outfielder Greg Deichmann was placed on the injured list.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Quad Cities River Bandits 2
Beloit Snappers 4
WP: DeMers 1-1 / 5.06
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Bryce Conley
(4 IP / 2 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 7 K / Save)
The Snappers snapped their three-game losing streak on Friday. Starter Joe DeMers was solid, allowing 2 runs over 5 innings to pick up the win, and his tandem-pitching partner, RHP Bryce Conley, was outstanding in relief, striking out 7 over 4 scoreless frames to earn the save for the Snappers. Right fielder Anthony Churlin had 3 hits, including a double, and drew a walk, while designated hitter Logan Farrar walked, stole a base and singled in a pair of runs, and third baseman Cobie Vance drew a walk and doubled in a run for Beloit.
NEW YORK-PENN LEAGUE (Class-A Short-Season)
Vermont Lake Monsters 2
Tri-City ValleyCats 3
LP: J.Martinez 0-1 / 6.00
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Richard Jose Morban
(5 IP / 5 H / 2 ER / 3 BB / 7 K)
The Lake Monsters lost their third straight on Friday. 21-year-old Dominican RHP Richard Jose Morban turned in a solid start, allowing 2 runs and striking out 7 over 5 frames, but 23-year-old Panamanian LHP Jorge Martinez gave up the winning run in the bottom of the 9th to take the loss as Tri-City won in a walk-off. 20-year-old Venezuelan catcher Jose Rivas doubled and drew a bases-loaded walk in the 1st inning to bring home a run for Vermont.
ARIZONA LEAGUE (Rookie Short-Season)
AZL A’s Green 6
AZL A’s Gold 16
WP: Berrios 1-0 / 1.35
LP: Pineda 0-1 / 8.10
HR: Sanchez (3), Woodworth (2)
Prospect Of The Game:
First Baseman Santis Sanchez
(2 for 5 / Home Run / 4 RBIs)
The AZL A’s Gold squad put 16 runs on the board to best the AZL A’s Green squad on Friday. For the Gold, 20-year-old Puerto Rican first baseman Santis Sanchez hit his 3rd home run, singled and drove in 4 runs on the night, while this year’s 32nd-round draft pick for the A’s, third baseman Marty Bechina, had 3 hits, including a pair of doubles and scored 3 runs. 19-year-old Venezuelan right fielder Rafael Rincones singled, doubled twice and drove in 3 runs, and this year’s 29th-round pick, second baseman Michael Woodworth, homered for the second straight game, drew a walk and drove in 4 runs on the night. Rehabbing LHP Dean Kiekhefer made the start for the Gold and tossed 2 scoreless frames, while 19-year-old Puerto Rican RHP Osvaldo Berrios allowed 1 runs in 3 innings of work to earn the win for the Gold. 23-year-old Dominican RHP Leudeny Pineda made the start for the Green and was charged with 7 runs, 3 earned, over 3 1/3 innings to suffer the loss.
Saturday’s Games:
Sacramento @ Las Vegas: 7:05pm PT
Arkansas @ Midland: 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
San Jose @ Stockton: 7:10pm PT
Quad Cities @ Beloit: 4:30pm PT / 6:30pm CT
Vermont @ Tri-City: 4:00pm PT / 7:00pm ET
AZL Dodgers Mota @ AZL A’s Green: 6:00pm PT
AZL A’s Gold @ AZL Brewers Gold: 6:00pm PT
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