TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Midland RockHounds 1
Frisco RoughRiders 0
WP: Howard 6-5 / 3.04
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Brian Howard
(7 IP / 6 H / 0 ER / 2 BB / 7 K / Win)
RHP Brian Howard turned in another outstanding start to lead the RockHounds to a shutout win on Thursday. The 6-foot-9 righty struck out 7 over 7 shutout innings to secure his 6th win for Midland, and Howard has now allowed just 2 runs and struck out 16 in 13 1/3 innings over his last 2 starts for the Hounds. LHP Zack Erwin tossed a scoreless 8th, and RHP John Gorman got the final three outs to earn the save and complete the eight-hit shutout for Midland. Left fielder Dairon Blanco singled, tripled and drove in the RockHounds’ only run on Thursday.
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A’s Highlights…
PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Las Vegas Aviators 16
Fresno Grizzlies 3
WP: Luzardo 1-0 / 4.32
HR: Fowler (13), Neuse (13), Heim (3)
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Dustin Fowler
(3 for 5 / Home Run / Double / Walk / 3 RBIs)
The Aviators put double digits on the board for the fourth night in a row to notch their fourth straight victory on Thursday. LHP Jesus Luzardo turned in a solid start, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits while walking none and striking out 4 over 5 frames to earn the victory for Vegas. Center fielder Dustin Fowler homered, singled, doubled, drew a walk and drove in 3 runs, while right fielder Mark Payton singled, doubled, tripled, walked and drove in 2 runs, and second baseman Corban Joseph had 4 hits, including a double, and drove in a pair. First baseman Seth Brown singled, stole a base, doubled twice and drove in 4, while catcher Jonah Heim had 3 hits, including a home run, and drove in a pair, and third baseman Sheldon Neuse singled and slugged a two-run homer for Las Vegas.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Stockton Ports 8
San Jose Giants 10
LP: Poche 0-5 / 6.65
HR: Eierman (8)
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Jameson Hannah
(2 for 5 / Double / 2 RBIs)
Stockton came up short to suffer a loss to San Jose on Thursday. Starter James Kaprielian allowed 4 runs on 5 hits in 2 1/3 innings of work, and LHP Jared Poche gave up 4 runs in 1 2/3 innings of relief to take the loss for Stockton. Right fielder Jameson Hannah singled, doubled and drove in a pair, while second baseman Jeremy Eierman hit a two-run homer and stole a base. Catcher Jordan Devencenzi had a pair of hits, including a double, and this year’s 15th-round draft pick for the A’s, right fielder Josh Watson, went 0 for 3 with a walk in his Ports debut. Shortstop Nick Allen left the game with an apparent leg injury after an awkward slide home, and outfielder Austin Beck was placed on the injured list with a quad injury.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Beloit Snappers 4
Kane County Cougars 6
LP: Conley 3-4 / 3.74
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Lester Madden
(1 for 4 / Double / 3 RBIs)
The Snappers suffered their fourth straight loss on Thursday. Starter Bryce Conley was charged with 5 runs over 4 1/3 frames to take the loss. Center fielder Lester Madden had a bases-clearing double to drive in 3 runs, while catcher John Jones had 3 hits and drew a walk, and third baseman Cobie Vance singled twice and doubled for the Snappers in the loss.
NEW YORK-PENN LEAGUE (Class-A Short-Season)
Connecticut Tigers 3
Vermont Lake Monsters 4
WP: J.Martinez 2-1 / 4.26
HR: Vargas (2)
Prospect Of The Game:
Shortstop Yerdel Vargas
(1 for 1 / Home Run / 2 RBIs)
Vermont notched a one-run victory on Thursday. 19-year-old Dominican shortstop Yerdel Vargas slugged a two-run homer to tie the game in the 7th inning, while this year’s 4th-round draft pick for the A’s, catcher Kyle McCann, singled twice and drew a walk. This year’s 29th-round draft pick, center fielder Michael Woodworth singled, walked and stole a base, and this year’s top pick, shortstop Logan Davidson, went 0 for 3 in his second game for the Lake Monsters. 21-year-old Dominican RHP Richard Jose Morban allowed 2 runs, 1 earned, over 5 frames, while 23-year-old Panamanian LHP Jorge Martinez gave up 1 run in 2 innings of relief to pick up the win, and 24-year-old Dominican RHP Jeferson Mejia pitched a perfect 9th to post the save for Vermont.
ARIZONA LEAGUE (Rookie Short-Season)
AZL A’s Green 6
AZL Indians Red 13
LP: L.Sanchez 0-3 / 10.13
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Jose Bonilla
(3 for 4 / 3 RBIs)
This year’s 24th-round draft pick for the A’s, RHP Trayson Kubo, made the start and tossed 2 scoreless innings, while 21-year-old Dominican LHP Livan Sanchez allowed 5 runs, 3 earned, in 1 2/3 innings of relief to suffer the loss on Thursday. 18-year-old Dominican right fielder Jose Bonilla had 3 hits and drove in 3 runs, while this year’s 11th-round draft pick, first baseman Dustin Harris, singled, doubled and scored a run. This year’s 31st-round pick, center fielder Matt Koehler, doubled, drew a walk and scored twice, and 20-year-old Panamanian left fielder Iraj Serrano singled, walked and stole a base in the loss.
ARIZONA LEAGUE (Rookie Short-Season)
AZL Cubs-2 4
AZL A’s Gold 9
WP: Leal 1-0 / 0.00
HR: Cross (1)
Prospect Of The Game:
Shortstop Marty Bechina
(2 for 4 / 2 Doubles / Walk / 3 RBIs)
This year’s 32nd-round draft pick for the A’s, shortstop Marty Bechina, doubled twice, drew a walk and drove in 3 runs, while 22-year-old Venezuelan right fielder Yhoelnys Gonzalez had a pair of hits, including a double, and drove in a run. 18-year-old Panamanian third baseman Joshwan Wright singled, doubled and scored twice, and designated hitter Matt Cross clubbed a two-run homer for the A’s. 19-year-old Cuban RHP Pedro Santos made the start and threw 4 scoreless frames, while 38th-round RHP David Leal tossed 2 scoreless innings in relief to earn the win on Thursday.
Friday’s Games:
Las Vegas @ Fresno: 7:05pm PT
Midland @ Frisco: 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
Stockton @ San Jose: 7:00pm PT
Beloit @ Kane County: 4:30pm PT / 6:30pm CT
Staten Island @ Vermont: 4:05pm PT / 7:05pm ET
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