PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Reno Aces 4
Las Vegas Aviators 18
WP: Blackburn 11-3 / 4.08
HR: Payton (28), Neuse (26), Fowler (24), Murphy 2 (9), Martini (7), Loehr (2)
Prospect Of The Game:
Catcher Sean Murphy
(2 for 4 / 2 Home Runs / 6 RBIs / Walk)
Las Vegas put 18 runs on the board on Wednesday to notch its fifth straight victory and maintain its one-game lead over El Paso in the PCL’s Pacific Southern Division. Catcher Sean Murphy pounded out a pair of three-run homers in his return to Las Vegas from the injured list, and he’s now hit 8 home runs over his last 5 games for Las Vegas dating back to July. Left fielder Nick Martini drilled a two-run homer and doubled twice, while designated hitter Dustin Fowler homered, doubled and drew a walk. Right fielder Mark Payton had 3 hits, including his 28th home run, and drove in 4 runs, while second baseman Sheldon Neuse notched his 26th home run and drove in 3 on the night, and pinch-hitter Trace Loehr slugged his 2nd home run for Las Vegas. RHP Paul Blackburn turned in another strong start, allowing just 1 run while striking out 7 over 6 innings of work to earn his team-leading 11th victory for Vegas. And with Murphy returning from the injured list, catcher Jonah Heim was reassigned to the RockHounds on Wednesday.
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A’s Highlights…
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
NW Arkansas Naturals 0
Midland RockHounds 4
WP: Holmes 6-4 / 3.26
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Grant Holmes
(5 IP / 6 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 5 K / Win)
Three RockHounds pitchers combined to shut out the Naturals on nine hits on Wednesday. RHP Grant Holmes turned in another outstanding start, striking out 5 over 5 shutout innings to earn his 6th win, and Holmes has now thrown 15 scoreless frames while striking out 20 over his last 3 starts for Midland. RHP Wandisson Charles struck out 4 in 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, and LHP Zack Erwin tossed 2 1/3 scoreless frames to complete the shutout and secure his 7th save for the Hounds. Third baseman Mikey White singled twice, scored twice and drew a walk, while left fielder Tyler Ramirez singled, doubled and drove in 3 runs, and catcher Jonah Heim went 1 for 4 in his return to the RockHounds on Wednesday.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Stockton Ports 4
Visalia Rawhide 12
LP: Bray 2-3 / 5.43
HR: A.Rivas (8)
Prospect Of The Game:
First Baseman Alfonso Rivas
(2 for 4 / Home Run)
Stockton suffered its fourth loss in its last five games on Wednesday. Starter Bryce Conley allowed 3 runs in 2 innings of work, while RHP Jake Bray was charged with 4 runs in 1 2/3 frames to take the loss. First baseman Alfonso Rivas singled, homered and scored twice for Stockton in the loss.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Kane County Cougars 9
Beloit Snappers 8
LP: Infante 3-5 / 3.28
Prospect Of The Game:
Third Baseman Max Schuemann
(4 for 5 / 2 RBIs / Stolen Base)
The Snappers suffered their fifth straight loss on Wednesday. Starter Jhenderson Hurtado gave up 3 runs in 3 innings of work. A throwing error by second baseman Joseph Pena helped lead to 5 runs in the 8th inning, and RHP Angello Infante was charged with 5 unearned runs in 2 2/3 innings of relief to take the loss. Third baseman Max Schuemann collected 4 hits, drove in a pair of runs and tallied his team-leading 21st stolen base for the Snappers in the loss.
ARIZONA LEAGUE (Rookie Short-Season)
AZL A’s Gold 16
AZL A’s Green 1
WP: Leal 5-0 / 1.57
LP: Nambiar 1-4 / 5.51
HR: Dingcong (3)
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Ramon Martinez
(4 for 5 / Double / Walk / RBI)
The AZL A’s Gold put 16 runs on the board to best the Green on Wednesday. 17-year-old Dominican center fielder Ramon Martinez reached base 5 times, on 3 singles, a double and a walk, while driving in a run and scoring twice to help the Gold win on Wednesday. Second baseman Wilson Alvarez singled twice, drew 3 walks and drove in a pair, while left fielder Enrry Pantoja had 4 hits, walked and drove in a run. Designated hitter Gio Dingcong homered, doubled, drew a walk and drove in 3 runs, while first baseman Iraj Serrano singled twice, walked twice and scored twice, and third baseman Joshwan Wright singled, tripled, drew a walk and drove in 4. 17-year-old Nicaraguan LHP Gerald Garcia made the start for the Gold and allowed 1 run in 3 innings of work, while this year’s 38th-round draft pick for the A’s, LHP David Leal, pitched 3 perfect innings in relief to pick up the win. This year’s 34th-round draft pick, LHP Kumar Nambiar, made the start for the Green and gave up 5 runs in 3 1/3 innings of work to suffer the loss on Wednesday.
Thursday’s Games:
Las Vegas @ Tacoma: 7:05pm PT
NW Arkansas @ Midland: 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Kane County @ Beloit: 4:30pm PT / 6:30pm CT
Lowell @ Vermont: 4:05pm PT / 7:05pm ET
AZL Angels @ AZL A’s Green: 6:00pm PT
AZL A’s Gold @ AZL Cubs-1: 6:00pm PT
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