TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Midland RockHounds 8
Corpus Christi Hooks 12
LP – Jensen 3-3 / 5.55
HR – Pinder (6), Walsh (4)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Shortstop Chad Pinder
(4 for 5 / Grand Slam)
Despite falling to Corpus Christi 12-8 on Friday, the RockHounds got a huge night from shortstop Chad Pinder. The 23-year-old collected 4 hits, including a grand slam in the 4th inning. Pinder is now hitting .500 over his last 6 games, and his 6 home runs tie him for the team lead with top prospect Matt Olson. Second baseman Colin Walsh doubled and hit his 4th home run, while first baseman Ryon Healy had 3 hits, including a double, and catcher Bruce Maxwell, left fielder Jaycob Brugman, and right fielder Matt Olson had a pair of hits apiece for the Hounds. RHP Chris Jensen had one of his roughest starts since joining the A’s system from the Rockies, along with Drew Pomeranz, in the Brett Anderson trade. In just 3 innings of work on Friday, Jensen allowed 10 runs on 8 hits, including 4 home runs – one more than the total of 3 that he allowed in 160 1/3 innings last season – to take the loss.
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PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Nashville Sounds 7
Fresno Grizzlies 2
WP – Neal 2-0 / 1.69
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Zach Neal
(5 2/3 IP / 1 H / 1 ER / 3 BB / 3 K / Win)
It appears that RHP Zach Neal was happy to be back with Nashville from Midland. On Friday, he allowed 2 runs, 1 earned, on just 1 hit while walking 3 and striking out 3 over 5 2/3 innings to earn the win in his first start since returning to the Sounds. Switch-pitcher Pat Venditte tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief, while rehabbing LHP Sean Doolittle struck out 2 in a perfect 8th inning, and RHP R.J. Alvarez got the final three outs in the 9th for Nashville. Designated hitter Ryan Roberts singled, doubled, tripled and drove in a run, while outfielder Jason Pridie had 2 hits and drove in a pair, and Ben Zobrist went 2 for 3 with a walk and 2 RBIs and scored twice while making an error in left field in his first rehab appearance with the Sounds. And with A’s reliever Edward Mujica landing on the disabled list on Friday, Sounds shortstop Andy Parrino was promoted by the A’s and infielder Tyler Ladendorf was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Stockton Ports 8
Lake Elsinore Storm 0
WP – Trivino 3-2 / 4.46
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Lou Trivino
(7 IP / 3 H / 0 ER / 1 BB / 3 K / Win)
RHP Lou Trivino turned in his second straight impressive start for Stockton on Friday, allowing just 3 hits over 7 scoreless innings to earn his 3rd win, while RHP Ben Bracewell tossed 2 scoreless innings in relief for the Ports. Second baseman Branden Cogswell, third baseman Matt Chapman and outfielder Brett Vertigan each singled, doubled and drove in a run in the win.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Cedar Rapids Kernels 7
Beloit Snappers 3
LP – Stull 1-1 / 4.50
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Brett Graves
(5 IP / 3 H / 1 ER / 2 BB / 1 K)
Starter Brett Graves had a solid outing for the Snappers, being charged with just 1 run over 5 innings of work on Friday, while RHP Joey Wagman allowed 1 run in 2 innings of relief, and LHP Cody Stull gave up 5 runs, 2 earned, over 2 innings to take the loss. First baseman Max Kuhn doubled, walked twice and drove in a run, while designated hitter Sandber Pimentel singled in the Snappers’ first run in the 1st inning, and outfielder James Harris singled, walked twice and stole a base in the loss.
Saturday’s Games:
Nashville @ Fresno – 7:05pm PT / 9:05pm CT
Midland @ Corpus Christi – 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
Stockton @ Lake Elsinore – 6:00pm PT
Cedar Rapids @ Beloit – Noon PT / 2:00pm CT
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