TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Springfield Cardinals 3
Midland RockHounds 5
WP – Alcantara 5-3 / 3.90
HR – Barreto (5)
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Raul Alcantara
(7 2/3 IP / 8 H / 1 ER / 0 BB / 4 K / Win)
RHP Raul Alcantara turned in an impressive start for the RockHounds on Thursday. The 23-year-old held Springfield scoreless through the first 5 innings and ended up allowing just 1 run while walking none over 7 2/3 innings to earn his 5th win. Alcantara’s command was on point as he threw 72 strikes and just 21 balls on Thursday. Shortstop Franklin Barreto had a big night at the plate, collecting a single, a double and an inside-the-park home run while driving in 3 runs for the RockHounds. Catcher Beau Taylor, second baseman Wade Kirkland and designated hitter Danny Oh had a pair of hits apiece for Midland.
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PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Round Rock Express 5
Nashville Sounds 8
WP – Neal 6-1 / 2.83
HR – Maxwell (1)
Prospect Of The Game:
Shortstop Chad Pinder
(3 for 4 / Walk / Stolen Base / 3 Runs)
After having their nine-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday, the Sounds got right back on track by beating rival Round Rock on Thursday, and Nashville has now won 17 of its last 19 games and currently leads its division by 3 ½ games. Shortstop Chad Pinder reached base 4 times, on 3 singles and a walk, scored 3 times and also stole his 1st base of the season for the Sounds. After getting off to a slow start this season, Pinder’s been picking up the pace, and he’s currently batting .444 over his over his last 8 games. Second baseman Joey Wendle doubled with the bases loaded to drive in 3 runs in the 3rd, while catcher Bruce Maxwell smacked his 1st home run in the 4th, and third baseman Renato Nunez had a pair of hits and a walk and drove in a run. First baseman Ryon Healy walked twice and doubled in a pair, and designated hitter Matt Olson drew 3 walks for Nashville. Starter Zach Neal allowed 3 runs over 5 innings of work to post his 6th win in his return to the Sounds. And in other news, the A’s optioned LHP Eric Surkamp back to Nashville on Thursday.
2B Joey Wendle: 1 for 4 / Double / 3 RBIs
C Bruce Maxwell: 1 for 4 / Home Run
3B Renato Nunez: 2 for 4 / Walk / RBI
1B Ryon Healy: 1 for 2 / Double / 2 Walks / 2 RBIs
DH Matt Olson: 0 for 1 / 3 Walks
RHP Zach Neal: 5 IP / 9 H / 3 ER / 1 BB / 2 K
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Bakersfield Blaze 2
Stockton Ports 1
LP – Wagman 0-2 / 5.75
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Heath Fillmyer
(5 IP / 3 H / 0 ER / 3 BB / 6 K)
RHP Heath Fillmyer had another solid start for Stockton on Thursday, tossing 5 shutout innings before leaving the game with a 1-run lead. But RHP Joey Wagman surrendered 2 runs in 2 1/3 innings of relief to take the loss. Left fielder Melvin Mercedes singled and doubled, while second baseman Joe Bennie doubled in the Ports’ only run in the bottom of the 1st. In other news, RHP R.J. Alvarez is set to make his first rehab appearance for Stockton on Friday, and RHP Sonny Gray is scheduled to make a rehab start for Stockton on Sunday.
RHP Joey Wagman: 2 1/3 IP / 5 H / 2 ER / 1 BB / 1 K
RHP Carlos Navas: 1 2/3 IP / 0 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 1 K
LF Melvin Mercedes: 2 for 4 / Double
2B Joe Bennie: 1 for 4 / Double / RBI
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Cedar Rapids Kernels 1
Beloit Snappers 7
WP – Murray 1-1 / 0.79
HR – Siddall (2)
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Michael Murray
(6 IP / 7 H / 1 R / 0 ER / 0 BB / 5 K / Win)
Last year’s 32nd-round draft pick for the A’s, RHP Michael Murray, turned in his second straight strong start for the Snappers, allowing just 1 unearned run over 6 innings of work to earn his first pro win on Thursday. Right fielder Brett Siddall slugged his 2nd home run, a 3-run shot, while catcher Jordan Devencenzi had 2 hits and drove in 2 runs, and designated hitter Trent Gilbert tripled in a pair for the Snappers.
RF Brett Siddall: 1 for 4 / Home Run / 3 RBIs
C Jordan Devencenzi: 2 for 4 / 2 RBIs
DH Trent Gilbert: 1 for 4 / Triple / 2 RBIs
2B Trace Loehr: 2 for 4 / SB
Friday’s Games:
Round Rock @ Nashville – 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
Tulsa @ Midland – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Bakersfield @ Stockton – 7:10pm PT
Clinton @ Beloit – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
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