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Newly acquired Kolby Allard made his first start in the Rangers’ organization tonight for Nashville, and he was excellent, throwing 5 shutout innings, allowing 4 hits and 2 walks and striking out 8. The reports indicated that his velocity was at 93-94 mph with his fastball early on — a couple of ticks higher than what he was reportedly throwing with the Braves — and then 91-92 towards the end. With Adrian Sampson continuing to struggle, Allard could be up fairly soon.
The other pitchers for Nashville weren’t all as successful as Allard, however. Kyle Bird gave up 5 runs in 1 IP on 5 hits, including 2 home runs, and struck out 1. Shane Carle gave up 3 runs on a walk and 4 hits while retiring just one batter, and now has allowed 6 runs in 0.2 IP in his time in the Rangers organization. Joe Barlow threw a scoreless inning with a K, and Ian Gibaut went 0.2 IP with a walk and a hit.
As for the Sounds bats, Ronald Guzman was 1 for 3 with 2 walks, Nick Solak had a walk and a pair of singles, and Eli White had a hit.
Cole Winn got the start for Hickory and had another one of those so-so outings that has characterized his performances for the last six weeks or so. 5 IP, 4 hits, 3 walks, 2 Ks, 2 HBPs, 46 strikes in 79 pitches, 3 runs allowed. He now has a 5.55 ERA. Kelvin Gonzalez threw 3 shutout innings, striking out 7 while allowing 1 hit and 1 walk, lowering his ERA to 2.48; the 21 year old righthander seems like he may potentially be yet another of the intriguing bullpen arms the Rangers have sprouting up all over the minors. Offensively, Matt Whatley had a walk, a single and a home run, Frainyer Chavez had two doubles, Jonathan Ornelas went 3 for 4 with 2 walks and a triple, and Josh Jung, who came into the game for Tyreque Reed, had a single in his only plate appearance.
For Down East, Cole Uvila threw a shutout inning, striking out one and lowering his ERA to 2.44. Michael Matuella continued his recent stretch of solid work by throwing a scoreless inning, striking out 3 while allowing a hit and a walk. Offensively, Sherten Apostel had a triple, Sam Huff and J.P. Martinez each doubled (with Martinez also having a stolen base), Bubba Thompson singled, and Yohel Pozo homered.
For Frisco, Leody Taveras went 1 for 4 with a double, and Michael De Leon had a single and a double.
Spokane’s Ricky Vanasco continued his summer of sumptuous performances, going 4 shutout innings, striking out 6 of 13 batters faced while allowing 1 hit and 2 walks. David Garcia was 1 for 3 with a walk.