PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Tacoma Rainiers 1
Las Vegas Aviators 8
WP: Finnegan 3-1 / 2.89
HR: Rupp (9), A.Rivas (1), White (1)
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher James Kaprielian
(4 IP / 6 H / 1 ER / 0 BB / 6 K)
In the most important game of the day, RHP James Kaprielian made the start in his Triple-A debut as Las Vegas looked to clinch a division title and a playoff berth before its final regular season game on Monday. After RHP Grant Holmes made his Triple-A debut on Saturday, it was Kaprielian’s turn on Sunday. And the 25-year-old allowed just 1 run while striking out 6 without walking a batter over 4 innings of work. Kaprielian threw a total of 73 pitches, 52 for strikes, and by the time RHP Kyle Finnegan replaced him on the mound in the top of the 5th inning, Las Vegas held a slim one-run lead. Finnegan and RHP Ben Bracewell both tossed 2 scoreless innings in relief to hold the line until the Aviators were able to add six more runs in the 8th. And after tossing 1 scoreless inning in relief on Saturday, RHP Matt Harvey came on in the 9th to close things out on Sunday. Harvey hit 95 mph, notched 1 strikeout and allowed 1 hit and 1 walk in a scoreless 9th to finish things off as Las Vegas clinched the PCL Pacific Southern division title on Sunday. Second baseman Mikey White singled and slugged a home run in the 3rd inning to tie the game, while designated hitter Cameron Rupp drew a pair of walks and drilled a solo shot in the 4th to give Las Vegas a lead it would never surrender. First baseman Alfonso Rivas singled and added a two-run shot in the Aviators’ six-run 8th, while left fielder Mark Payton stole a base and singled twice to notch his seventh straight multi-hit game, and shortstop Jorge Mateo had a pair of hits, drew a walk, drove in a run and tallied his team-leading 24th stolen base. Finnegan picked up the win, while former A’s LHP Sean Nolin suffered the loss for Tacoma despite notching 11 strikeouts over 4 2/3 frames on Sunday. Las Vegas is now set to face the Sacramento River Cats in a five-game playoff series starting on Wednesday. In other news, RHP Paul Blackburn, infielder Franklin Barreto and catcher Sean Murphy were all added to the A’s roster on Sunday, while RHP Tanner Anderson and infielder Corban Joseph were both designated for assignment, and infielder Eric Campbell was activated from the injured list for Las Vegas.
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A’s Highlights…
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Midland RockHounds 4
Springfield Cardinals 0
WP: Naile 8-7 / 5.54
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Jhenderson Hurtado
(4 IP / 2 H / 0 ER / 2 BB / 4 K)
Three Midland pitchers combined to shut out Springfield on just three hits as the RockHounds recorded their third straight win on Sunday. 23-year-old Venezuelan LHP Jhenderson Hurtado made the start and tossed 4 scoreless frames in his Double-A debut, while RHP James Naile threw 3 scoreless innings in relief to pick up the win, and LHP Cody Stull returned from the injured list and pitched 2 perfect innings to complete the shutout on Sunday. Left fielder Brallan Perez had 4 hits and drove in a run, while first baseman Chase Calabuig singled, walked twice and scored a run. Right fielder Greg Deichmann singled, walked and stole a base, and catcher Jonah Heim singled, drew a walk and drove in a pair of runs for the RockHounds.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Stockton Ports 2
San Jose Giants 6
LP: Conley 3-1 / 2.78
HR: Beck (8)
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Austin Beck
(2 for 4 / Home Run / Double)
Stockton suffered its ninth loss in its last eleven games on Sunday. Starter Bryce Conley gave up 3 runs over 4 frames to take the loss. Center fielder Austin Beck hit his 8th home run and his 22nd double, while first baseman Payton Squier doubled in a run for Stockton in the loss.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Cedar Rapids Kernels 5
Beloit Snappers 1
LP: Guasch 0-4 / 4.53
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Aiden McIntyre
(4 IP / 1 H / 0 ER / 1 BB / 9 K)
The Snappers suffered their seventh loss in their last eight games on Sunday. Starter Richard Guasch gave up 4 runs in just 2 2/3 innings of work to take the loss. RHP Aiden McIntyre was solid in relief, throwing 4 scoreless frames and striking out 9 to increase his season strikeout total 150, the most among A’s minor leaguers. First baseman Nick Ward singled twice and walked twice, while right fielder Nick Osborne doubled and drew a walk for Beloit in the loss. Meanwhile, Snappers LHP Jhenderson Hurtado was reassigned to the RockHounds on Sunday.
NEW YORK-PENN LEAGUE (Class-A Short-Season)
Vermont Lake Monsters 0
Tri-City ValleyCats 3
LP: Cushing 2-6 / 5.59
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Jack Cushing
(4.1 IP / 2 H / 1 ER / 2 BB / 2 K)
The Lake Monsters were shut out on just two hits on Sunday. RHP Jack Cushing got things off to a good start by throwing 4 scoreless and hitless frames, but he ended up being charged with 1 run on 2 hits and 2 walks over 4 1/3 innings of work to suffer his 6th loss. Designated hitter Jordan Diaz and shortstop Logan Davidson both singled to provide the Lake Monsters’ only hits in the loss.
Monday’s Games:
Tacoma @ Las Vegas: 12:05pm PT
Midland @ Springfield: 10:15am PT / 12:15pm CT
Stockton @ San Jose: 2:00pm PT
Cedar Rapids @ Beloit: Noon PT / 2:00pm CT
Vermont @ Tri-City: Noon PT / 3:00pm ET
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