Saturday, May 9th: Wade Kirkland’s Grand Slam Highlights Hounds’ 23-Run Outburst while Arnold Leon’s Solid Start Can’t Save Sounds from Shutout

 

TEXAS LEAGUE  (Double-A)

Frisco RoughRiders         8

Midland RockHounds  23

WP – Sanchez 2-2 / 7.18

HR – Blair (2), Kirkland (1)

Farmhand Of The Game:

Shortstop Wade Kirkland

(Grand Slam / Triple / 7 RBIs)

After averaging slightly less than 2 runs per game in their past 7 contests, the RockHounds exploded for 23 runs against Frisco on Saturday night. Shortstop Wade Kirkland helped get things off to a good start by slugging a grand slam in the 1^st. Kirkland then tripled in 2 runs in the 2^nd and singled in another run in the 3^rd. Third baseman Ryon Healy collected 5 hits, including a double, and drove in 2, while outfielder Chad Oberacker had 3 doubles and a single and drove in a pair. Designated hitter Carson Blair homered, doubled and drove in 3, and first baseman Matt Olson and outfielder Jaycob Brugman both had 3 hits for the Hounds. Starter Jake Sanchez allowed 4 runs over 5 innings of work to pick up his 2^nd win for Mildand.

Click here for more on Nashville, Stockton & Beloit…

 

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE  (Triple-A)

Round Rock Express  1

Nashville Sounds      0

LP – Leon 0-2 / 4.43

 

Farmhand Of The Game:

Pitcher Arnold Leon

(6 IP / 5 H / 1 ER / 2 BB / 9 K)

 

RHP Arnold Leon had his best start so far this season for the Sounds, allowing just 1 run while striking out 9 over 6 innings of work, but he still ended up taking his 2^nd loss for Nashville. LHP Sean Nolin was solid in relief, tossing 2 scoreless innings in his second rehab appearance. But the Sounds were shut out on just 4 hits on Saturday. Center fielder Craig Gentry went 2 for 4, while shortstop Andy Parrino and left fielder Kent Matthes each singled in the loss. In other news, first baseman Nate Freiman was reinstated from the disabled list and officially optioned to Nashville. And LHP Barry Zito will try to earn his first win when he makes the start for the Sounds on Sunday.

 

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE  (High-A)

Stockton Ports   1

San Jose Giants  4

LP – Seddon 1-2 / 3.09

 

Farmhand Of The Game:

Outfielder Brett Vertigan

(2 for 4 / Double / Stolen Base)

 

RHP Joel Seddon allowed 3 runs on 5 hits while striking out 5 over 6 innings of work to take the loss in his second start for Stockton on Saturday. Center fielder Brett Vertigan was productive at the plate for the second straight night since his promotion from Beloit, collecting a pair of hits, including a double, stealing a base and scoring Stockton’s only run. Designated hitter Michael Soto singled and doubled, while catcher Beau Taylor collected a double, and third baseman Matt Chapman walked twice in the loss.

 

MIDWEST LEAGUE  (Class-A)

GAME #1

Cedar Rapids Kernels  5

Beloit Snappers          2

LP – Johnson 1-2 / 4.58

HR – Pimentel (4)

 

Farmhand Of The Game:

First Baseman Sandber Pimentel

(2 for 3 / Home Run / Double)

 

The Snappers scored 2 runs on just 3 hits to drop the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader at Beloit. First baseman Sandber Pimentel homered and doubled to account for 2 of his team’s 3 hits, while outfielder Robert Martinez singled, and center fielder James Harris went 0 for 3 in his debut for Beloit. Starter Kevin Johnson allowed 4 runs, 3 of them unearned with the help of a fielding error by third baseman Joe Bennie, over 4 innings of work to take his 2^nd loss for the Snappers.

 

GAME #2

Cedar Rapids Kernels  3

Beloit Snappers          2

LP – Torres 2-2 / 3.00

 

Farmhand Of The Game:

Pitcher Junior Mendez

(6 IP / 3 H / 2 ER / 1 BB / 2 K)

 

RHP Junior Mendez had another solid start for the Snappers, allowing 2 runs over 6 innings of work, but he still ended up walking away with a no-decision in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader. LHP Jose Torres gave up the winning run in the top of the 9^th to take the loss. Shortstop Yairo Munoz singled in the Snappers’ first run, while catcher Argenis Raga doubled and scored, and outfielder Robert Martinez walked twice and stole a base in the loss.

 

Sunday’s Games:

Round Rock @ Nashville – 12:05pm PT / 2:05pm CT

Frisco @ Midland – Noon PT / 2:00pm CT

Stockton @ San Jose – 1:00pm PT

 

 

Be sure to like A’s Farm’s page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @AthleticsFarm. You can also get our exclusive A’s minor league newsletter e-mailed to you free by signing up here.