Tuesday, August 20th: Martini, Neuse & Luzardo Lead Vegas to Victory as Aviators Take Sole Possession of 1st Place

A’s Prospect Of The Day: Las Vegas Aviators Outfielder Nick Martini (2 for 4 / Home Run / Walk / 3 Runs)
A’s Prospect Of The Day: Las Vegas Aviators Outfielder Nick Martini (2 for 4 / HR / Walk / 3 Runs)

 
PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE  (Triple-A)

Reno Aces                   4

Las Vegas Aviators  10

WP: Lobstein 6-2 / 4.62

HR: Payton (27), Neuse (25), Martini (6)

Prospect Of The Game:

Outfielder Nick Martini

(2 for 4 / Home Run / Walk / 3 Runs)

Las Vegas put 10 runs on the board on Tuesday to notch its fourth straight victory and take sole possession of first place in the PCL’s Pacific Southern Division. Left fielder and leadoff hitter Nick Martini was in the middle of much of the action of Tuesday. Martini led off the bottom of the 4th inning with a single and later scored the tying run, then led off the bottom of the 5th with a walk and scored, and then slugged his 6th home run in the 8th inning. In the process, he raised his on-base percentage to .432, which is good for third best in the league. Second baseman Sheldon Neuse drew a walk and drilled a three-run homer to extend his hitting streak to 7 games, while right fielder Mark Payton walked and belted a two-run blast to lift his slugging percentage to a team-leading .654. LHP Jesus Luzardo was solid in his second start since returning to Las Vegas, allowing just 1 run on 3 hits while walking 2 and striking out 5 over 4 2/3 frames. He left the game after throwing 78 pitches, 50 for strikes. LHP Kyle Lobstein followed Luzardo on the mound and threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings to pick up the win, while LHP Wei-Chung Wang allowed 1 run in 1 inning of relief. RHP Jharel Cotton gave up 2 runs in 1 inning of work, and RHP Kyle Finnegan pitched a perfect 9th to close out the victory for Las Vegas. Meanwhile, LHP A.J. Puk was promoted by the A’s on Tuesday, while catcher Cameron Rupp was placed on the injured list, and rehabbing RHP Marco Estrada was released.

 
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A’s Highlights…


TEXAS LEAGUE  (Double-A)

NW Arkansas Naturals   3

Midland RockHounds   2

LP: Friedrichs 5-7 / 3.70

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Prospect Of The Game:

Outfielder Tyler Ramirez

(2 for 4 / Double / RBI)

 

The RockHounds suffered a one-run loss to the Naturals on Tuesday. Starter Kyle Friedrichs allowed 3 runs in just 2 2/3 innings of work to take the loss, while left fielder Tyler Ramirez singled, doubled and drove in a run for the RockHounds in the loss. Meanwhile, Midland RHP Daulton Jefferies was placed on the injured list on Tuesday.

 

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE  (High-A)

Stockton Ports   6

Visalia Rawhide   1

WP: Jordan 10-7 / 4.61

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Prospect Of The Game:

Pitcher Mitchell Jordan

(5 IP / 6 H / 1 ER / 1 BB / 3 K / Win)

 

Stockton snapped its three-game losing streak on Tuesday. RHP Mitchell Jordan turned in a strong start, allowing just 1 run over 5 frames to earn his team-leading 10th win. Designated hitter Robert Mullen collected 3 hits, drew a walk and drove in a run, while center fielder Austin Beck singled twice, doubled and drove in a run, and second baseman Ryan Gridley had a pair of hits, including a double, and scored twice for Stockton in the loss.

 

MIDWEST LEAGUE  (Class-A)

Burlington Bees    5

Beloit Snappers  3

LP: Kelly 4-4 / 3.08

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Prospect Of The Game:

Outfielder Devin Foyle

(1 for 4 / Triple / Walk)

 

Burlington bested Beloit for the fourth straight time to sweep their four-game series on Tuesday. A throwing error by Beloit shortstop Marcos Brito helped lead to 5 runs in the 1st inning. Starter Rafael Kelly was charged with 5 unearned runs on just 3 hits while striking out 11 over 5 innings of work to suffer the loss, and RHP Chase Cohen threw 4 scoreless frames in relief. Center fielder Devin Foyle tripled, walked and scored a run, and he’s now 5 for 13 with 4 extra-base hits and 6 walks over his last 4 games for the Snappers.

 

ARIZONA LEAGUE  (Rookie Short-Season)

AZL D-backs      1

AZL A’s Green  4

WP: L.Martinez 4-1 / 2.54

Prospect Of The Game:

Outfielder Matt Koehler

(1 for 2 / Double / 2 Walks / RBI)

This year’s 31st-round draft pick for the A’s, center fielder Matt Koehler, doubled, drew a pair of walks and drove in a run, while left fielder Givaine Basilia and right fielder Jose Bonilla had a pair of hits apiece for the A’s on Tuesday. This year’s 8th-round draft pick, 18-year-old RHP Jose Dicochea, made the start and threw 3 scoreless innings, while 18-year-old Venezuelan RHP Luis Martinez tossed 3 scoreless and hitless frames in relief to pick up the win, and this year’s 30th-round pick, RHP Ed Baram, struck out the side in order in the 9th to notch the save for the A’s.

 

ARIZONA LEAGUE  (Rookie Short-Season)

AZL A’s Gold         2

AZL Brewers Blue  7

LP: Patterson 0-1 / 9.00

HR: R.Martinez (1)

Prospect Of The Game:

Outfielder Ramon Martinez

(1 for 4 / Home Run)

23-year-old RHP Nathan Patterson made the start and allowed 3 runs in 2 innings of work to suffer the loss, while last year’s 13th-round draft pick for the A’s, RHP Dallas Woolfolk, returned from his suspension on Tuesday and allowed 1 run in 2 innings of relief. 17-year-old Dominican center fielder Ramon Martinez homered for the A’s in the loss.

 

Wednesday’s Games:

Reno @ Las Vegas: 7:05pm PT

NW Arkansas @ Midland: 4:30pm PT / 6:30pm CT

Stockton @ Visalia: 7:00pm PT

Kane County @ Beloit: 4:30pm PT / 6:30pm CT

AZL A’s Gold @ AZL A’s Green: 6:00pm PT

 

Nick Martini
Nick Martini

 

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