by Rachel Davis / A’s Farm Nashville Contributor
Each week, we’ll be taking a look at some of the top performers for the A’s top affiliate, the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, over the past week. This week covers the period from Monday, May 7 through Sunday, May 13. So, let’s see who was busy making “sounds” for Nashville last week…
Outfielder Nick Martini
Martini had a breakout week for the Sounds. The 27-year-old free agent signee was hitting just .221 heading into the week but managed to raise his average to a much more respectable .257 by the end of the week. The boost was due in part to four consecutive multi-hit games between Thursday and Sunday. Overall, the outfielder, who’s been serving as the team’s leadoff hitter since last Thursday, had nine hits on the week, including his fifth double and his first home run, while driving in six runs for the Sounds. On Monday, Martini ran his consecutive on-base streak to 25 games. He’s reached base safely in every game he’s appeared in since April 14 and, as of Monday, he was boasting a team-best on-base percentage of .419. And in addition to his hot bat, Martini has yet to be charged with an error in the field this season.
Outfielder Anthony Garcia
Garcia really seemed to hit his stride this past week. The 26-year-old free agent signee collected eight hits, including four doubles and a pair of home runs, and took over the team home run lead from infielder Franklin Barreto. The outfielder, who’s recently moved into the cleanup spot for the Sounds, scored seven runs and notched seven RBIs, five of which came in Thursday’s 12-7 victory over Colorado Springs. Garcia currently leads the team in extra-base hits and, as of Monday, he was sporting a team-best slugging percentage of .533.
Third Baseman Sheldon Neuse
Neuse had his biggest week as a Nashville Sound. The 23-year-old collected nine hits, including four doubles, last week while hitting safely in six consecutive games. He also scored five runs and notched four RBIs for Nashville last week. Neuse got off to a sluggish start this season, and the Texas native entered the week hitting an uninspiring .161 but was able to raise his average to a more reasonable .207 at the conclusion of Sunday’s game.
Pitcher Frankie Montas
Montas seems to show increased confidence and stamina each time he takes the mound. Last week, the 25-year-old allowed just one earned run in six innings of work against Colorado Springs. Montas commanded the strike zone well and struck out a total of ten batters, the most for any Sounds pitcher in a single game this season. Of the 93 pitches he threw, 60 went for strikes. And on Monday, Montas allowed just two runs in an eight-inning, complete-game loss for the Sounds. His ERA has been steadily declining each time he takes the mound. And after starting the month of May with a 6.19 ERA, it stood at 3.75 after Monday’s match.
Pitcher Bobby Wahl
Wahl was handed the ball in the ninth inning three times last week, and he pitched three perfect frames. The 26-year-old righty failed to allow a baserunner while striking out 3 over 3 scoreless frames. Wahl’s been the most impressive arm in the Sounds bullpen, putting up a 1.62 ERA and a 0.78 WHIP while averaging 13K/9 and compiling a 6/1 K/BB ratio.
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