HIGH-A CENTRAL LEAGUE
Lake County Captains 7
Lansing Lugnuts 6
LP: Cerny 0-1 / 27.00
Prospect Of The Game:
Designated Hitter Will Simoneit
(2 for 5 / 2 Doubles / 2 RBIs)
On a day when all four of the A’s affiliates went down to defeat by a cumulative score of 24-8, there weren’t an awful lot of highlights down on the farm. But Lansing designated hitter Will Simoneit turned in one of the more notable performances on an otherwise down day. The 24-year-old, who was signed by the A’s as an undrafted free agent out of Wake Forest last summer, drilled an RBI double in the 1st inning and added another RBI double in the 3rd inning to give the Lugnuts an early 4-0 lead. Simoneit, who homered and singled on Wednesday, is now 4 for 8 with a home run and a pair of doubles on the young season. Shortstop Max Schuemann walked 3 times, singled and stole a base, while center fielder Michael Guldberg singled, walked and swiped a pair of bases. First baseman Patrick McColl doubled, drew a walk and stole a base, and third baseman Jordan Diaz singled, doubled and drove in a run for Lansing. 23-year-old Cuban RHP Richard Guasch made the start on Thursday and tossed 2 2/3 scoreless frames, while tandem starter Bryce Nightengale allowed 2 runs, 1 earned, in 1 2/3 innings of work, and RHP Charlie Cerny gave up 5 runs, 4 earned, in 1 1/3 innings of relief to take the loss for the Lugnuts. RHP Reid Birlingmair is set to make the start for Lansing on Friday. You can find the Lugnuts opening day roster here.
TRIPLE-A WEST LEAGUE
Sacramento River Cats 8
Las Vegas Aviators 1
LP: Kaprielian 0-1 / 3.86
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Skye Bolt
(1 for 3 / Walk / RBI / Assist)
The Aviators went down to defeat on opening night in Las Vegas on Thursday. Starting pitcher James Kaprielian allowed 2 runs on 8 hits while striking out 5 over 4 2/3 frames to suffer the loss, and RHP Burch Smith was charged with 1 run on 2 hits while striking out 2 in 1 1/3 innings of relief in his first rehab appearance for Las Vegas. Center fielder Skye Bolt, whom the A’s recently reacquired from the Giants, walked, singled in the Aviators’ sole run, and threw out Sacramento first baseman Justin Bour at the plate. Shortstop Pete Kozma reached base 3 times, on a single and a pair of walks, and left fielder Luis Barrera singled and walked for Las Vegas in the loss. RHP Parker Dunshee is set to make the start the Aviators on Friday. You can find the Las Vegas Aviators opening day roster here.
DOUBLE-A CENTRAL LEAGUE
Midland RockHounds 0
Frisco RoughRiders 7
LP: Damron 0-1 / 2.25
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Ty Damron
(4 IP / 3 H / 1 ER / 2 BB / 2 K)
The RockHounds were shut out on just 3 hits to suffer their third straight loss on Thursday. 26-year-old LHP Ty Damron turned in a solid start, allowing just 1 run over 4 frames, but he still ended up being saddled with the loss. Left fielder Tyler Ramirez singled and drew a pair of walks, while third baseman Jeremy Eierman singled, doubled and stole a base for the RockHounds in the loss. RHP Bryce Conley is set to make the start for Midland on Friday. You can find the RockHounds opening day roster here.
LOW-A WEST LEAGUE
Stockton Ports 1
Modesto Nuts 2
LP: Baram 0-1 / 6.75
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Jack Cushing
(4 IP / 0 H / 0 ER / 3 BB / 2 K)
Stockton suffered a one-run loss to Modesto on Thursday. 2019’s 22nd-round draft pick for the A’s, RHP Jack Cushing, turned in a strong start for Stockton, throwing 4 scoreless and hitless frames while walking 3, but RHP Ed Baram gave up 2 runs in 2 2/3 innings of relief to take the loss. 22-year-old Venezuelan catcher Jose Rivas drew a walk and singled in Stockton’s sole run, while 20-year-old right fielder Danny Bautista and 20-year-old Panamanian second baseman Joshwan Wright picked up a pair of hits apiece for the Ports. RHP Jake Walkinshaw is set to make the start for Stockton on Friday. You can find the Ports opening day roster here.
Friday’s Games:
Sacramento @ Las Vegas: 7:05pm PT
Midland @ Frisco: 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
Lake County @ Lansing: 4:05pm PT / 7:05pm ET
Stockton @ Modesto: 7:05pm PT
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