LOW-A WEST LEAGUE
Stockton Ports 14
Fresno Grizzlies 4
WP: Walkinshaw 2-2 / 4.24
HR: Soderstrom 2 (7), Schofield-Sam (2)
Prospect Of The Game:
First Baseman Tyler Soderstrom
(3 for 6 / 2 Home Runs / 5 RBIs)
The Ports put 14 runs on the board to best Fresno on Friday, and first baseman Tyler Soderstrom led the way. Last year’s top draft pick for the A’s singled in Stockton’s first run in the 1st inning, then hit a three-run homer in the 4th, and finally finished off the night by slugging a solo shot in the 9th. The 19-year-old leads the team in both hits and RBIs, and his 21 extra-base hits are tied for tops in the league. Third baseman T.J. Schofield-Sam also had a big night, collecting a single, a double and a home run while drawing 2 walks and driving in a pair for the Ports. Starter Jake Walkinshaw allowed 3 runs, 2 earned, over 6 innings of work to earn the win for Stockton.
TRIPLE-A WEST LEAGUE
Tacoma Rainiers 5
Las Vegas Aviators 2
LP: M.Romero 0-2 / 9.77
HR: A.Allen (6)
Prospect Of The Game:
Catcher Austin Allen
(1 for 4 / Home Run)
Las Vegas lost its fifth straight on Friday. With starting pitcher Grant Holmes struggling, reliever Miguel Romero was called on to make the start for the Aviators. The 27-year-old Cuban righty gave up 4 over 3 frames to suffer the loss for Las Vegas. RHP James Naile was excellent in relief, pitching 3 perfect innings, while Holmes was solid coming in out of the bullpen and tossing 2 scoreless frames. Catcher Austin Allen slugged his 6th home run in the 7th inning, while left fielder Luis Barrera singled, doubled and scored a run for Las Vegas in the loss. Meanwhile, Aviators outfielder Mickey McDonald was reassigned to the RockHounds on Friday.
DOUBLE-A CENTRAL LEAGUE
Midland RockHounds 2
Amarillo Sod Poodles 8
LP: Conley 3-3 / 4.81
HR: Eierman (6)
Prospect Of The Game:
Second Baseman Jeremy Eierman
(1 for 4 / Homer Run / 2 RBIs)
The RockHounds suffered their sixth loss in their last eight games on Friday. Starter Bryce Conley surrendered 5 runs over 4 2/3 frames to take the loss for Midland. Second baseman Jeremy Eierman homered for the second straight night to extend his hitting streak to 12 games, while left fielder Devin Foyle had a pair of hits for the Hounds, and center fielder Mickey McDonald went 0 for 3 in his return to the RockHounds from Las Vegas.
HIGH-A CENTRAL LEAGUE
Great Lakes Loons 9
Lansing Lugnuts 3
LP: Birlingmair 1-4 / 6.10
Prospect Of The Game:
Outfielder Shane Selman
(2 for 3 / Double / 2 RBIs)
Starter Reid Birlingmair struggled early, surrendering 7 runs in just 3 innings of work to suffer the loss for Lansing on Friday. RHP Shohei Tomioka was solid in relief, allowing just 1 run while striking out 7 over 4 frames for the Lugnuts. Left fielder Shane Selman had a pair of hits, including a two-run double, while shortstop Max Schuemann singled twice and tallied his league-leading 28th stolen base, and center fielder Michael Guldberg doubled in his return to action after being sidelined with a leg injury for almost three weeks.
Saturday’s Games:
Tacoma @ Las Vegas: 7:05pm PT
Midland @ Amarillo: 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
Great Lakes @ Lansing: 4:05pm PT / 7:05pm ET
Stockton @ Fresno: 6:50pm PT
(Top photo courtesy of Stockton Ports)
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