Saturday, April 29th: Smith’s 6 Shutout Frames Lead Sounds to Victory while Bassitt Makes First Rehab Start for Stockton

A’s Prospect Of The Day: Nashville Sounds Pitcher Chris Smith (6 IP / 3 H / 0 ER / 1 BB / 3 K / Win)

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE  (Triple-A)

New Orleans Baby Cakes  2

Nashville Sounds            10

WP – C.Smith 1-1 / 2.18

HR – Nunez (4)

Prospect Of The Game:

Pitcher Chris Smith

(6 IP / 3 H / 0 ER / 1 BB / 3 K / Win)

A night after Nashville starter Paul Blackburn threw 5 scoreless frames, Saturday’s starting pitcher, RHP Chris Smith, followed up by tossing 6 shutout innings to earn the victory as the Sounds won their third straight. And the 36-year-old Smith has now allowed a total of just 5 earned runs over his first 4 starts of the season. Nashville’s offense notched a total of 10 runs for the first time this season. First baseman Matt Olson collected 4 hits, including a double, and drove in a pair of runs, while center fielder Mark Canha doubled twice and drove in 3. Left fielder Renato Nunez notched his 4^th home run, a solo shot, and drew a pair of walks, and second baseman Franklin Barreto singled twice, doubled and drove in a run while raising his team-best batting average to a healthy .349. In other news, RHP Raul Alcantara cleared waivers and was sent to the Sounds, and second baseman Joey Wendle’s rehab assignment came to an end as he was activated from the disabled list and officially added to Nashville’s roster.

Click here for more on Midland, Stockton & Beloit…

TEXAS LEAGUE  (Double-A)

Midland RockHounds  7

San Antonio Missions    5

WP – Trivino 2-0 / 0.84

HR – Rosa (4), Schrock (3)

Prospect Of The Game:

Second Baseman Max Schrock

(2 for 4 / Home Run / 2 RBIs)

Second baseman Max Schrock socked a 2-run homer in the top of the 8^th inning to break a 4-4 tie and lead the RockHounds to their third straight win on Saturday. First baseman Viosergy Rosa slugged a solo shot in the 6^th, while center fielder B.J. Boyd drove in a pair of runs and had 3 hits to raise his average to .370. Starter Grant Holmes allowed 1 unearned runs in 3 innings of work, while his starting-tandem mate, RHP James Naile, gave up 2 runs over 3 1/3 frames. RHP Lou Trivino picked up the win despite surrendering the tying run in the 7^th, and RHP Kyle Finnegan gave up a home run in the 9^th but still notched his 4^th save for Midland.

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE  (High-A)

Stockton Ports    8

San Jose Giants   4

WP – Shore 1-1 / 2.01

HR – Iriart (3), Chavez (1)

Prospect Of The Game:

First Baseman Chris Iriart

(1 for 3 / Home Run / Walk / 3 RBIs)

First baseman Chris Iriart clubbed a 3-run homer in the top of the 2^nd inning on Saturday to give Stockton an early lead that the team would never relinquish. And in the next at-bat after Iriart’s blast, catcher Jose Chavez added on with a solo shot of his own. Shortstop Eli White singled, doubled, drove in a run and stole a base, while left fielder Tyler Ramirez walked twice, scored twice and singled in a pair for the Ports. A’s starter Chris Bassitt made his first rehab start for Stockton and looked solid, allowing just 1 hit and 1 walk while striking out 3 over 3 scoreless innings on Saturday. RHP Angel Duno surrendered 4 runs over 2 2/3 innings, but RHP Logan Shore was outstanding in relief, striking out 5 over 3 1/3 scoreless innings to pick up his 1^st win for the Ports.

MIDWEST LEAGUE  (Class-A)

Beloit Snappers

Kane County Cougars

(POSTPONED)

Sunday’s Games:

New Orleans @ Nashville – 12:05pm PT / 2:05pm CT

Midland @ San Antonio – 12:05pm PT / 2:05pm CT

Stockton @ San Jose – 1:00pm PT

Beloit @ Kane County (Game #1) – 11:00am PT / 1:00pm CT

Beloit @ Kane County (Game #2)

Chris Smith

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