TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Midland RockHounds 10
NW Arkansas Naturals 11
LP – Navas 0-1 / 13.50
HR – Rosa 2 (9)
Prospect Of The Game:
First Baseman Viosergy Rosa
(2 for 4 / 2 Home Runs / 5 RBIs)
Midland ended up suffering a heart-breaking walk-off loss in a slugfest on Friday, but first baseman Viosergy Rosa turned in an impressive performance for the RockHounds. After homering to put the Hounds on the board in the top of the 5th inning, Rosa came up with two outs, the bases loaded and the game tied in the 7th and slugged a grand slam over the left field wall to give his team a 4-run lead. Rosa was in an 0-for-14 slump headed into Friday’s game but he now has a team-leading 9 home runs for the Hounds. Starter Heath Fillmyer allowed 6 runs, 4 earned, over 5 1/3 frames, but LHP Brandon Mann gave up 2 runs in the 8th, and RHP Carlos Navas surrendered 3 runs without recording an out in the bottom of the 9th to suffer the loss as the Hounds lost in a walk-off. Designated hitter B.J. Boyd singled, doubled and drove in a pair, while left fielder Brett Vertigan had 2 hits and drove in a run for the RockHounds.
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PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Omaha Storm Chasers 8
Nashville Sounds 3
LP – Castro 0-2 / 4.50
Prospect Of The Game:
Shortstop Franklin Barreto
(2 for 5 / Double / Run)
Making the spot start in place of RHP Jharel Cotton, who’s expected to join the A’s on Saturday, RHP Michael Brady gave up 2 runs over 4 innings of work on Friday, while RHP Aaron Kurcz allowed 1 run in 2 innings of relief. Designated hitter Jaff Decker, returning from a stint on the disabled list due to pneumonia, walked and singled in a run, while third baseman Matt Chapman drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Shortstop Franklin Barreto doubled and eventually scored the tying run in the 9th on a ground out by second baseman Joey Wendle, who also doubled in the game. The game was tied heading into the 11th inning, when a dropped catch by catcher Ryan Lavarnway, a fielding error by Wendle and a hit batsman and a wild pitch opened the door to 5 unearned runs off RHP Simon Castro, who ended up suffering his 2nd loss for the Sounds. As mentioned, with Cotton expected to make Saturday’s start for the A’s, Brady came out of Nashville’s bullpen to fill in for him on Friday. RHP Daniel Gossett is set to make the start for the Sounds on Saturday, while RHP Chris Smith is scheduled to start one game in Sunday’s doubleheader. And if, as expected, RHP Daniel Mengden also joins the A’s, then RHP Corey Walter seems on track to start the other game of Sunday’s doubleheader. RHP Paul Blackburn is in line to make Monday’s start, with RHP Raul Alcantara likely to take his turn for the Sounds on Tuesday.
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Stockton Ports 1
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 8
LP – Biegalski 2-2 / 7.33
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Dustin Hurlbutt
(5 IP / 2 H / 2 ER / 2 BB / 6 K)
RHP Boomer Biegalski had a shaky start for Stockton on Friday, giving up 6 runs on 9 hits, including 4 home runs, in just 3 innings of work to suffer his 2nd loss for the Ports. And Biegalski has now surrendered 10 home runs in just 27 innings for Stockton. His tandem-pitching partner, RHP Dustin Hurlbutt, was solid in relief though, allowing 2 runs on just 2 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6 over 5 frames for the Ports. Shortstop Eli White singled, doubled and walked, while second baseman Josh Vidales walked and doubled in Stockton’s only run in the loss.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Beloit Snappers 6
Quad Cities River Bandits 3
WP – Alejo 1-1 / 5.25
Prospect Of The Game:
Second Baseman Nate Mondou
(2 for 6 / Triple / GWRBI)
With the game tied in the top of the 11th inning, second baseman Nate Mondou tripled to right field to send home the winning run for the Snappers. Mondou also singled and scored a run in the game and currently leads Beloit with a .321 batting average. Shortstop Eric Marinez had a pair of hits and drove in a run to put Beloit on the board in the 4th inning, while right fielder Luis Barrera singled, doubled and drove in the tying run in the 7th for the Snappers. Starter Jesus Zambrano gave up 1 run in 3 2/3 innings of work, while RHP Mitchell Jordan allowed 1 run and struck out 7 over 5 1/3 frames, and RHP Yordys Alejo picked up his 1st win after tossing 2 innings in relief for the Snappers.
Saturday’s Games:
Colorado Springs @ Nashville – 4:35pm PT / 6:35pm CT
Midland @ NW Arkansas – 4:05pm PT / 6:05pm CT
Stockton @ Rancho Cucamonga – 7:05pm PT
Beloit @ Quad Cities – 4:35 PT / 6:35pm CT
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