PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Tacoma Rainiers 4
Las Vegas Aviators 2
LP: Lobstein 6-3 / 4.80
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Jesus Luzardo
(6 IP / 6 H / 1 ER / 0 BB / 10 K)
Even though Las Vegas suffered a late-inning loss, LHP Jesus Luzardo turned in his most dominant start yet for the Aviators on Friday. The 21-year-old allowed just 1 run while striking out 10 without walking a batter. He threw 93 pitches, 57 for strikes. At one point, he struck out 6 straight, striking out the side in the 3rd and 4th inning, and his fastball was clocked as high as 99 mph on Friday. But LHP Kyle Lobstein gave up 2 runs in the 8th inning to suffer the loss for Las Vegas. Franklin Barreto, making his second straight start in left field, singled, doubled and drove in a run for the Aviators in the loss.
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A’s Highlights…
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Midland RockHounds 5
Springfield Cardinals 4
WP: S.Martinez 4-1 / 1.30
HR: Deichmann (10)
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Kyle Friedrichs
(6 IP / 5 H / 1 ER / 3 BB / 7 K)
The RockHounds recorded a one-run win to clinch a Texas League playoff berth on Friday. Starter Kyle Friedrichs turned in his second straight quality start, allowing just 1 run and striking out 7 over 6 innings of work, and he left the game with a three-run lead. But LHP Zack Erwin allowed 3 runs in the bottom of the 8th to tie the game. Right fielder Greg Deichmann then tagged his 10th home run in the top of the 9th to provide the margin of victory for Midland. RHP Seth Martinez got the final two outs in the 8th to pick up the win, while RHP John Gorman pitched a perfect 9th to register his 8th save for the RockHounds. Meanwhile, RHP Mitchell Jordan was promoted from the Ports to Midland on Friday.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Stockton Ports 2
San Jose Giants 0
WP: Marinez 1-0 / 5.65
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Brady Feigl
(6 IP / 2 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 6 K)
Stockton shut out San Jose on just four hits to win in extra innings and snap its eight-game losing streak on Friday. RHP Brady Feigl turned in an outstanding start, allowing just 2 hits while striking out 6 over 6 shutout innings, but he left with the game a scoreless tie. RHP Peter Bayer tossed 2 scoreless innings in relief, while RHP Eric Marinez pitched a pair of perfect frames to pick up the win, and RHP Trey Cochran-Gill got the final three outs in the bottom of the 11th to complete the shutout and secure his 2nd save for Stockton. Left fielder Lazaro Armenteros doubled in the winning run in the top of the 11th and also drew a walk and swiped a pair of bases for the Ports. Meanwhile, RHP Mitchell Jordan was reassigned to the RockHounds on Friday.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Beloit Snappers 9
Peoria Chiefs 2
WP: Kelly 5-4 / 2.81
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Rafael Kelly
(5 IP / 3 H / 1 R / 0 ER / 0 BB / 4 K / Win)
The Snappers snapped their five-game losing streak on Friday. RHP Rafael Kelly turned in a strong start, allowing just 1 unearned run while striking out 4 over 5 frames to earn his 5th win. RHP Chase Cohen permitted just 1 run in 4 innings of relief to secure his 2nd save for the Snappers. Third baseman Michael Woodworth collected 4 hits, drew a walk and drove in a run for Beloit.
NEW YORK-PENN LEAGUE (Class-A Short-Season)
Connecticut Tigers 1
Vermont Lake Monsters 2
WP: Cota 2-3 / 5.06
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Seth Shuman
(5 IP / 1 H / 0 ER / 2 BB / 0 K)
Vermont was victorious in extra innings on Friday. This year’s 6th-round draft pick for the A’s, RHP Seth Shuman, turned in his second straight scoreless 5-inning start. The 21-year-old gave up just 1 hit on Friday and has now failed to allow an earned run over his last 13 1/3 innings for the Lake Monsters. RHP Leudeny Pineda surrendered the tying run in the top of the 9th to send the game to extra innings. 19-year-old Dominican center fielder Kevin Richards drew a bases loaded walk to bring home the winning run in the bottom of the 12th as the Lake Monsters won in a walk-off. RHP Clark Cota tossed a scoreless frame in the top of the 12th to pick up the victory for Vermont.
Saturday’s Games:
Tacoma @ Las Vegas: 7:05pm PT
Midland @ Springfield: 4:10pm PT / 6:10pm CT
Stockton @ San Jose: 5:00pm PT
Cedar Rapids @ Beloit: 4:30pm PT / 6:30pm CT
Vermont @ Tri-City: 4:00pm PT / 7:00pm ET
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