CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 1
Stockton Ports 2
WP: Gilbert 3-0 / 0.00
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Jake Bray
(5 IP / 2 H / 1 ER / 0 BB / 9 K)
The Ports prevailed for the third time in their last four games to improve their league-best record to 25-16 on Thursday. RHP Jake Bray turned in an outstanding start for Stockton, allowing 1 run on just 2 hits while walking none and striking out 9 over 5 innings of work. Bray was acquired from the Orioles in the offseason as the player to be named later in the Jaycob Brugman deal. The 25-year-old tallied 82 strikeouts in just 51 innings while working strictly as a reliever last year. The A’s have converted him into a starter at Stockton this season and, so far, the results have been successful. Bray’s currently boasting a 2.27 ERA while posting 27 strikeouts in 31 2/3 frames for the Ports. When he exited Thursday’s game after his impressive performance, the contest was a 1-1 tie. LHP Will Gilbert tossed 2 scoreless innings in relief to earn his 3rd win and run his scoreless-innings streak to 13 2/3. RHP Miguel Romero closed things out by pitching 2 perfect innings to pick up his 8th save for the Ports. Second baseman Nate Mondou and center fielder Skye Bolt both doubled, while third baseman Brallan Perez singled in Stockton’s first run in the 2nd inning, and Luis Barrera, making his first start of the season at first base, singled, doubled and drove in the winning run in the 6th for Stockton.
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PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
Nashville Sounds 3
Oklahoma City Dodgers 13
LP: Bassitt 1-2 / 7.33
HR: Garneau (2)
Prospect Of The Game:
Catcher Dustin Garneau
(1 for 3 / Home Run / Walk)
Oklahoma City’s big eight-run 4th inning sent the Sounds down to defeat on Thursday. RHP Chris Bassitt had a rough start, surrendering 7 runs in just 3 1/3 innings to suffer his 2nd loss and raise his ERA on the season to 7.33. LHP Eric Jokisch, making his first appearance in relief this season, didn’t fare much better, giving up 6 runs over 4 2/3 frames. Catcher Dustin Garneau homered for the second straight game and also drew a walk, while left fielder B.J. Boyd singled twice, walked and drove in a pair, and center fielder Jake Smolinski went 0 for 4 with a walk in his first game for the Sounds since being optioned by the A’s on Wednesday. On Tuesday, RHP Kendall Graveman was sent back to the Sounds, while first baseman/outfielder Slade Heathcott was released, and RHP Kyle Finnegan was placed on the disabled list. And on Thursday, catcher Josh Phegley was recalled by the A’s.
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Frisco RoughRiders 4
Midland RockHounds 2
LP: Bragg 3-1 / 3.86
Prospect Of The Game:
Pitcher Joel Seddon
(5 1/3 IP / 4 H / 1 ER / 2 BB / 5 K)
The RockHounds suffered their third straight loss to Frisco on Thursday as their record fell to an even .500. RHP Joel Seddon turned in a solid start, allowing just 1 run and striking out 5 over 5 1/3 innings of work, but RHP Sam Bragg surrendered 3 runs in 2 2/3 innings of relief to suffer the loss. Shortstop Richie Martin had 3 hits, including a double, and drove in a run, while center fielder J.P. Sportman had a pair of hits, and designated hitter Tyler Ramirez singled in a run for the RockHounds.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Beloit Snappers 8
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 7
WP: Bowers 3-2 / 4.86
Prospect Of The Game:
First Baseman Hunter Hargrove
(2 for 3 / Double / Walk / Sac Fly / 2 RBIs)
The Snappers prevailed in a one-run game on Thursday to take their five-games series from Wisconsin three games to two. First baseman Hunter Hargrove had 2 hits, including a double, drew a walk and drove in 2 runs, while left fielder Lazaro Armenteros singled, doubled and drove in the tying run in the top of the 5th, with the go-ahead run then scoring on a throwing error. Center fielder Austin Beck collected 3 hits and drove in a pair, and right fielder Mickey McDonald singled twice, walked and stole a base for Beloit. Starter Jean Ruiz was charged with 3 runs in 3 1/3 innings, while RHP Heath Bowers allowed 1 run in 1 2/3 innings of work and earned the win. RHP Seth Martinez picked up the save despite giving up 2 runs in 1 1/3 innings of relief for the Snappers.
Friday’s Games:
Nashville @ Oklahoma City: 5:05pm PT / 7:05pm CT
San Antonio @ Midland: 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
San Jose @ Stockton: 7:10pm PT
Quad Cities @ Beloit: 4:30pm PT / 6:30pm CT
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