pitching, baby!

We got some good pitching from HomeSiders on Thursday night. Starting in Sarasota, where Mike Cisco improved to 3-0, 2.43 on the year with 7 shut out innings against the Reds. Mike gave up just 3 hits and 2 walks, as the Threshers parlayed only 2 hits (both doubles by Derrick Mitchell) into a 2-0 win. Michael Schwimer (2.43) threw the final 2 frames to complete the shut out and record his 7th save.

The Threshers are off for the weekend, and the FSL All-Star game is tonight in Fort Myers.

Thursday night in Bowie, Tyson Brummett also had a strong outing for Reading. Brummett (3-6), like Cisco, threw 7 shut out innings but was not as fortunate. Bowie scored 2 runs off Alex Concepcion and took a 2-0 decision from the R-Phils. Reading managed just 3 singles, by Gus Milner, Tuffy Gosewisch and Ozzie Chavez.

Reading returned home Friday and defeated Harrisburg 4-0 behind Kyle Drabek. Drabek (3-0 for Reading, 7-1 overall) continues to shine, this time for 8 shut out innings, dropping his ERA to 2.08 for Reading in his 4 starts (2.36 in 87 IP overall). O, and he got a hit, too!!

Quintin "the catalyst" Berry had 2 hits, scored 2 runs and stole his 21st base (in 27 attempts). Brian Stavisky (.256, 3rd HR) and Neil Sellers (.313, single, double RBI) also had 2 hits for Reading, who improved to 38-28 on the year.

Former major leaguer Rodrigo Lopez threw 7 great innings for Lehigh Valley Thursday night in Durham as the IronPigs beat the Bulls 6-2. Lopez allowed just 1 run, scattering 8 hits to record his 3rd win of the season. Mike Spidale had a double, scored twice and drove home 2 more to help lead Lehigh to victory.

Friday night, the Pigs moved into Norfolk, and kept the winning streak going, beating the Tides, 8-6. Lou Marson came off the DL and smacked 2 hits, and picking up an RBI for Lehigh, and Sergio Escalona got the last 4 outs and notched his 2nd save. Andy Tracy was 3 for 3, including 2 home runs, scored 4 times and drove in 5!

Thursday night in Vegas, Randy Ruiz (.313) had 2 singles and a double, and drove in his 59th run for the 51s in a 4-3 win over Portland. On Friday in Tacoma, Chris Roberson (.283) had 2 hits, stole a base and scored a run in Reno's 10-2 triumph over the Rainiers.