CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)
Stockton Ports 1
San Jose Giants 5
LP – Duran 0-2 / 4.24
HR – Pinder (9)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Zach Neal
(8 2/3 IP / 3 H / 0 ER / 0 BB / 11 K)
Oddly enough, the best performance of the day came from the only A’s affiliate not to win on Thursday. Starter Zach Neal, who was sent down to Stockton from Sacramento in what seems to be a temporary assignment, dominated the Giants’ Class-A hitters in San Jose, throwing 5 perfect innings to start the game. He ended up allowing just 1 unearned run on 3 hits while walking none and striking out 11 over 8 2/3 innings in his first appearance for the Ports. Neal exited with 2 outs in the 9th, and the game was tied 1-1 as the contest headed into extra innings. RHP Nolan Sanburn tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief, but LHP Omar Duran gave up a grand slam in the bottom of the 11th to give San Jose the walk-off win. Shortstop Chad Pinder hit his 9th home run for Stockton’s only run of the game, while second baseman Wade Kirkland doubled, and catcher Bruce Maxwell singled and walked in the loss.
Click here for more on Sacramento, Midland & Beloit…
PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (Triple-A)
El Paso Chihuahuas 8
Sacramento River Cats 10
WP – Leon 4-1 / 5.01
HR – Martinez (3)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Catcher Stephen Vogt
(3 for 4 / Triple / 3 RBIs)
Starter Arnold Leon allowed 5 runs on 7 hits over 5 1/3 innings but still ended up walking away with his 4th win, while RHP Jeremy McBryde got the final 2 outs for his 1st save. Catcher Stephen Vogt had 3 hits, including a triple, and drove in 3 runs, while third baseman Jose Martinez hit a 2-run homer, outfielder Michael Taylor doubled and drove in a pair, and outfielder Nick Buss collected 3 hits, stole a base and drove in a run for the River Cats.
TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)
Springfield Cardinals 1
Midland RockHounds 6
WP – Granier 2-1 / 3.71
HR – Forsythe (3)
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Drew Granier
(7 IP / 3 H / 1 ER / 4 BB / 3 K / Win)
RHP Drew Granier turned in a strong start on Thursday, allowing just 1 run on 3 hits over 7 innings to earn his 2nd win, while RHP Tucker Healy tossed 2 scoreless innings in relief to finish things off for the RockHounds. Catcher Blake Forsythe, who was presented with his Gold Glove before the game, homered and doubled, while outfielder Kent Matthes had 3 hits, including a pair of doubles, and drove in a run, designated hitter Miles Head had 2 hits and drove in a pair, and outfielder Billy Burns collected 4 hits, including a double and a triple, and scored twice. Meanwhile, Midland first baseman Max Muncy was activated from the disabled list but did not play on Thursday.
MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 2
Beloit Snappers 3
WP – Vail 1-0 / 0.00
Farmhand Of The Game:
Pitcher Dylan Covey
(7 IP / 5 H / 2 ER / 0 BB / 5 K)
RHP Dylan Covey had another solid start for the Snappers on Thursday, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits while walking none and striking out 5 over 7 innings of work, while RHP Tyler Vail tossed 2 perfect innings in relief to pick up his 1st win. Third baseman Luiz Baez doubled in a run, while designated hitter B.J. Boyd had a pair of hits, outfielder Herschel Powell singled and walked, and shortstop Melvin Mercedes singled in the winning run in the bottom of the 9th for Beloit. In other news, first baseman Ryan Huck and catcher Andy Paz were returned to extended spring training in Arizona.
Friday’s Games:
Sacramento @ Las Vegas – 7:05pm PT
Springfield @ Midland – 5:00pm PT / 7:00pm CT
Stockton @ Modesto – 7:05pm PT
Wisconsin @ Beloit – 4:30pm PT / 6:30pm CT
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