PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (TRIPLE-A)
Sacramento River Cats 4
Las Vegas Aviators 6
WP: Duran 1-0 / 2.84
Left fielder Drew Avans had 3 hits, drew a walk, drove in a run and stole a base to help the Aviators notch their fifth win in their first seven games on Friday. First baseman Nick Kurtz continued his hot hitting, collecting a single and a double while also driving in a pair of runs, and the 22-year-old slugger is now 12 for 26 with 6 extra-base hits and 11 RBIs in his first 6 games with Las Vegas. Third baseman CJ Alexander singled twice, drove in a run and stole a base for the Aviators. Starter Mason Barnett allowed 3 runs and struck out 6 through 5 frames. RHP Carlos Duran, who was recently acquired from the Dodgers in exchange for outfielder Esteury Ruiz, made his Las Vegas debut and allowed 1 run to 2 innings of relief to pick up the win, while LHP Ben Bowden tossed a scoreless frame in the 8th, and RHP Grant Holman got the final three outs in the 9th to secure his 2nd save for the Aviators. RHP Gunnar Hoglund is set to make the start for Las Vegas on Saturday.
TEXAS LEAGUE (DOUBLE-A)
Arkansas Travelers 5
Midland RockHounds 7
WP: Gonzalez 1-0 / 7.20
The RockHounds recorded a victory over the Travelers on opening night in Midland on Friday. First baseman Brennan Milone doubled in a pair of runs with two outs in the 3rd inning to tie the game. He also drew a two-out walk in the 1st and then brought home run a when he was bit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the 5th. Left fielder Brayan Buelvas singled, doubled, drew a walk and scored twice, while right fielder Henry Bolte singled, walked and was also hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the 5th to bring home a run. Starter James Gonzalez allowed 4 runs in 5 frames and picked up the win, while RHP Colin Peluse tossed a scoreless frame in the 8th, and RHP Edgar Sanchez got the final three outs in the 9th to record the save for the RockHounds. RHP Luis Morales is set to make the start for Midland on Saturday. You can find the team’s opening day roster here – Midland RockHounds
MIDWEST LEAGUE (HIGH-A)
Lansing Lugnuts 0
Fort Wayne TinCaps 5
LP: Jump 0-1 / 22.50
Lansing suffered a five-hit shutout loss on opening night in Fort Wayne on Friday. LHP Gage Jump made the start for the Lugnuts and allowed 5 runs on 6 hits while walking none and striking out 5 in just 2 innings of work in his professional debut. RHPs Blaze Pontes and Jake Christianson each tossed 2 scoreless innings in relief, while RHPs Yehizon Sanchez and Corey Avant each threw 1 scoreless frame. Designated hitter Jared Dickey doubled and drew a walk, while shortstop Joshua Kuroda-Grauer collected a pair of hits, and left fielder Clark Elliott drew 3 walks for Lansing in the loss. RHP Steven Echavarria is set to make the start for the Lugnuts on Saturday. You can find the team’s opening day roster here – Lansing Lugnuts
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (SINGLE-A)
Stockton Ports 3
Fresno Grizzlies 4
LP: Manzano 0-1 / 0.00
Stockton suffered a walk-off loss in extra innings on opening night in Fresno on Friday. RHP Nathan Dettmer, who spent most of last season on the injured list for Stockton, made his first start since last April and looked sharp, allowing just 1 run while striking out 4 through 5 frames. LHP Ryan Magdic gave up 2 runs in 3 innings of relief, while RHP Alejandro Manzano was charged with an unearned run with two outs in the bottom of the 11th to suffer the loss as Fresno won in a walk-off. First baseman C.J. Pittaro singled twice and drew a walk, while second baseman Jared Sprague-Lott had a pair of hits, was hit by a pitch and drove in a run. Left fielder Cameron Leary singled twice and stole a base, and shortstop Ali Camarillo had a pair of hits for the Ports in the loss. You can find the team’s opening day roster here – Stockton Ports
Saturday’s Games:
Sacramento @ Las Vegas: 7:05pm PT
Arkansas @ Midland: 5:00pm PT/7:00pm CT
Lansing @ Fort Wayne: 10:05am PT/1:05pm ET
Stockton @ Fresno: 6:50pm PT
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