PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Las Vegas Aviators 4
Iowa Cubs 0
WP: Blackburn 10-3 / 4.28
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Paul Blackburn
(7 IP / 5 H / 0 ER / 1 BB / 4 K / Win)
RHP Paul Blackburn turned in an outstanding start to lead Las Vegas to a six-hit shutout victory over Iowa on Friday. Blackburn threw 7 scoreless innings to earn his team-leading 10th win, and the 25-year-old has now allowed just 3 runs while issuing just 1 free pass in 20 innings over his last 3 starts for the Aviators. RHP Ben Bracewell tossed 2 scoreless innings in relief to complete the shutout as Las Vegas held on to its one-game lead in the Pacific Southern Division on Friday. First baseman Eric Campbell doubled twice, drove in a run and stole a base, while left fielder Seth Brown and designated hitter Corban Joseph both singled in runs, and catcher Jonah Heim left the game in the 6th inning with a possible wrist injury.
Click here for more on Midland, Stockton, Beloit, Vermont & AZL A’s…
A’s Highlights…
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Corpus Christi Hooks 2
Midland RockHounds 3
WP: Zambrano 3-0 / 1.50
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Grant Holmes
(5 IP / 4 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 9 K)
The RockHounds recorded a win in extra innings on Friday. RHP Grant Holmes turned in his best start of the season, striking out 9 without allowing a walk while throwing 5 scoreless frames for Midland, and he left the game with a one-run lead. Third baseman Mikey White singled, doubled and scored the RockHounds’ first run in the 4th inning on shortstop Edwin Diaz’s RBI single. RHP John Gorman allowed 1 unearned run in the top of the 8th to tie the game. RHP Jesus Zambrano then gave up another unearned run in the top of the 10th. But right fielder Greg Deichmann doubled in the tying run in the bottom of the 10th, and designated hitter Dan Gamache drove in the winning run with a groundout as the RockHounds won in a walk-off on Friday.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 6
Stockton Ports 4
LP: Estrada 0-1 / 8.10
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Lazaro Armenteros
(2 for 2 / 2 Doubles / 2 Walks / RBI / Stolen Base)
Stockton suffered its third straight loss on Friday. Rehabbing RHP Marco Estrada made the start and gave up 3 runs on 5 hits, including a pair of home runs, in 2 2/3 innings of work to take the loss for the Ports. Left fielder Lazaro Armenteros doubled twice, drove in a run, tallied his team-best 18th stolen base and drew a pair of walks to increase his team-leading total to 66, while second baseman Ryan Gridley and center fielder Austin Beck had a pair of hits apiece for the Ports.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Peoria Chiefs 2
Beloit Snappers 0
LP: Infante 2-4 / 3.67
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Angello Infante
(5 IP / 3H / 1 ER / 0 BB / 3 K)
The Snappers were shut out on just four hits to see their six-game winning streak snapped on Friday. 20-year-old Venezuelan RHP Angello Infante turned in a strong start, allowing 1 run on just 3 hits over 5 frames, but he still ended up being saddled with the loss. Catcher Skyler Weber, shortstop Marcos Brito, left fielder Lester Madden and third baseman Michael Woodworth all singled for the Snappers in the loss.
NEW YORK-PENN LEAGUE (Class-A Short-Season)
Vermont Lake Monsters 5
Lowell Spinners 2
WP: Murray 2-0 / 2.86
HR: Vargas (3)
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Michael Murray
(4 IP / 2 H / 0 ER / 1 BB / 3 K / Win)
Vermont notched its seventh victory in its last eight games on Friday. This year’s 2nd-round draft pick for the A’s, RHP Tyler Baum, made the start and allowed 2 runs over 3 innings of work, while RHP Michael Murray was solid in relief, throwing 4 scoreless frames to earn the victory, and RHP Jose Mora struck out the side in order in the 9th to notch the save for Vermont. Second baseman Yerdel Vargas walked and homered, while catcher Jose Rivas doubled, drew a walk and scored a run for the Lake Monsters.
ARIZONA LEAGUE (Rookie Short-Season)
AZL Giants Black 3
AZL A’s Green 4
WP: Walkinshaw 2-0 / 2.29
Prospect Of The Game:
Designated Hitter Matt Koehler
(2 for 5 / Triple / Double / 2 RBIs)
The AZL A’s Green squad won in a walk-off on Friday. Designated hitter Matt Koehler tripled, doubled and drove in a pair of runs, including the winning run in the bottom of the 9th, while third baseman T.J. Schofield-Sam drew a walk and singled in a run, and first baseman Gavin Jones singled, walked and scored a run for the A’s. Starter Dennis Herrera allowed 1 run over 4 frames, while RHP Jake Walkinshaw tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief to earn the win on Friday.
ARIZONA LEAGUE (Rookie Short-Season)
AZL A’s Gold 5
AZL Mariners 4
WP: Rafuse 2-1 / 2.36
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Enrry Pantoja
(1 for 2 / Double / 3 Walks)
The AZL A’s Gold squad hung on to notch a one-run win on Friday. Right fielder Enrry Pantoja reached base 4 times, doubling and drawing 3 walks, while second baseman Wilson Alvarez had a pair of hits, drew a walk and stole a base. Left fielder Ben Spitznagel singled, walked twice and stole a base, and this year’s 3rd-round draft pick for the A’s, center fielder Marcus Smith, singled twice and drew a walk to lift his on-base percentage to .473. Starter Robin Vazquez allowed 1 run over 3 1/3 innings of work, while RHP Zach Rafuse tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief to earn the win for the A’s.
Saturday’s Games:
Las Vegas @ Omaha: 5:05pm PT
Corpus Christi @ Midland: 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Rancho Cucamonga @ Stockton: 7:10pm PT
Beloit @ Cedar Rapids: 4:35pm PT / 6:35pm CT
Vermont @ Lowell: 2:05pm PT / 5:05pm ET
AZL A’s Green @ AZL Rangers: 6:00pm PT
AZL Indians Blue @ AZL A’s Gold: 6:00pm PT
Be sure to like A’s Farm’s page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @AthleticsFarm. You can also get our exclusive A’s minor league newsletter e-mailed to you free by signing up here.