May Day!!

There is much to cover from Friday, so I will start in Buffalo, NY, where Matt Maloney got the start for Louisville in the first game of a doubleheader. Maloney made the best of his night, paying for just 1 mistake, a pitch to Wily Mo Pena which Pena turned into a 3-run home run. Matt gave up those 3 runs, on 8 hits and a walk, striking out 5 and throwing 99 pitches in 5 innings. He left the game trailing 3-1. Louisville did rally for 3 in the 7th to win, 4-3, getting Maloney off the hook.

Greg Golson broke a 3 game hitless streak, going 2 for 4 to raise his average to .303 for Oklahoma City, as the RedHawks lost to New Orleans, 11-2. Bobby Korecky was the winning pitcher in Reno's 5-4, 11 inning win over Portland. Bobby recorded the last 4 outs, striking out 1, and lowering his ERA to 3.38. Chris Roberson was 0 for 4 for Reno and Kevin Howard was 1 for 2 for Portland. Randy Ruiz smacked his 6th home run of the year in Las Vegas' 9-8 loss to Salt Lake. "Homie" is hitting .310, with the 6 dingers and 23 RBI. In Lynchburg, VA, Michael Dubee threw 2 perfect innings for the Hillcats, striking out 3 of his 6 hitters in Lynchburg's 8-3 win over Kinston.

In Houston, Michael Bourn (.284) had 3 hits, including a triple, and scored a run in the Astros' 7-2 loss to the Braves. In Philadelphia, J.A. Happ threw 2 scoreless innings of relief, and Ryan Howard went 1 for 4 in the Phillies 7-4 loss to the Mets. J.A. will stay in the bullpen for now, as it appears Cole Hamels will make his scheduled start on Monday. In Pittsburgh, Bronson Arroyo dominated the Pirates in the Reds' 4-0 victory and Jason Jaramillo was no exception. "JJ" (.313) was 0 for 3 and made his first error of the season. In Minnesota, Robinson Tejeda threw a scoreless inning for Kansas City, despite 2 walks and a hit allowed, to lower his ERA to 1.04 for the year. Robinson has walked 9 in 8.2 innings so far, but has managed to do his "Houdini" routine, surrendering just 1 run.

In Allentown Friday, the IronPigs made 4 errors, which did not help Carlos Carrasco. Carlos struggled through 4.1 innings, throwing 87 pitches, and gave up 5 runs, only 2 earned, on 5 hits and 2 walks, picking up 8 Ks. The Pigs did rally from a 5-1 deficit, to win 6-5. Jason Donald had 2 singles, a double, a walk, scored a run and drove 1 in, playing at third base. Carlos Ruiz continued his rehab assignment, catching the whole game, going 0 for 4.

In Harrisburg, the Senators topped Reading, 4-2, roughing up Antonio Bastardo for 3 runs on 6 and 2 walks in just 4 innings. It could have been worse, if not for his pick off of Edgardo Baez after a lead off single in the 4th. Mike Zagurski threw a 1-2-3 5th inning, Matt German got the next 5 outs, giving up his first run of the season, and Sergio Escalona pitched a hitless 1.1 innings to finish it. Kevin Mahar was 3 for 4, and Brad Harman and Neil Sellers had 2 hits each for Reading. Zack Segovia came in with runners on base in the 6th, and Tuffy Gosewisch and Ozzie Chavez each had run scoring singles off of him.

In Clearwater, the Threshers rallied for 4 runs in the 7th inning to come from behind and top Daytona, 5-3. Matt Rizzotti got the game winning hit, a 2-run double and, with his 2 walks, was on base 3 out of 4 times. Dominic Brown got 2 more hits, his 6th stolen base, and an outfield assist, nailing Starlin Castro at home to end the 5th inning. Dom is red hot, 8 for 16 (.500) in the last 4 games to raise his average to .299 with 4 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs, 14 RBI and 6 for 8 in steals. Kyle Drabek got no decision, throwing 5 innings, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks, 6 strike outs. Chance Chapman (2-1, 1.06) came in and recorded 8 outs to chalk up the win, and Jared Simon nailed down save # 6 despite allowing a run.

In Hickory, NC, the BlueClaws managed just 6 hits, and Tyler Cloyd had his first tough game of the year, as the Crawdads beat Lakewood, 6-3. Cloyd (1-2, 3.90) gave up 11 hits, including 2 home runs, and 6 runs, striking out 7 in 6 innings. Esmelvin Jimenez (2 outs, 1 K) and Santo Hernandez (4 outs on 4 Ks, 2 walks) pitched hitless relief. Zack Collier was the only Lakewood hitter with 2 hits.

The BlueClaws have called up pitcher Heitor Correa to replace Rob Roth, who was placed on the disabled list with a strained oblique. Correa, 19, will make the start on Sunday against Hickory.

Jason Knapp will face Hickory tonight, Carlos Monasterios will go against Daytona, Tyson Brummett will go in Harrisburg and Drew Carpenter will get the ball against Toledo.