Sunday's highlights

Before Monday's games get going, here are some of Sunday's notes of interest-

Carlos Carrasco won his 4th straight game since being traded, as Columbus beat Indianapolis, 4-2. Carlos went 7.2 innings, allowing just 2 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits and 2 walks, striking out 6 and improved to 10-9, 4.83 for the year. He is 4-0, 3.45 since the trade.

Jason Knapp made his 2nd start for the Lake County Captains, stretching out to 3.2 innings this time, giving up just 2 earned runs on 4 hits, NO walks, and struck out 5. Jason's next start should come this weekend, here in Lakewood against his old teammates. It looks like, if there are no rain outs, Jason will go Saturday night in the opener of the 3-game set! If he pitches here, he will become the 2nd BlueClaw to be traded and then come back and pitch here against the Claws. Mike Dubee had a similar experience in 2007.

Brett Harker has had some success transitioning to the rotation for the Jupiter Hammerheads, but Sunday was not a good day for him. Brett only made it through 4 innings against St Lucie, giving up 6 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks to the Mets. Harker's season numbers are good, even with the loss yesterday, he is 4-3, with a good 3.42 ERA.

Mike Stutes has been named Eastern League pitcher of the week. Mike gave up just 1 earned run in 2 starts, throwing 13 innings, and striking out 15. On Sunday, Stutes threw 7 shut out innings against Binghamton, allowing only 2 hits and 1 walk, with 9 Ks! Reading won the game, 1-0, with Sergio Escalona picking up the win with 2 scoreless frames. Quintin Berry had 2 hits and a walk, and stole 3 bags to up his total to 45. Looks like "Q" will his 50 steals for the 3rd straight year.

Of course, Mike Taylor has been named International League player of the week, thanks in part to his cycle, by hitting .350 for the week!! Face it, the man can flat out hit. Mike hit .361 in 67 games at Lakewood and .329 in 65 games in Clearwater in 2008. This year he hit .333 in 86 games at Reading, and is now hitting .282 for Lehigh Valley. Anybody want to bet he hits over .300 for the Pigs before he is finished?

Matt Rizzotti had 4 hits on Sunday, a single, 2 doubles, his 11th home run, knocked in 3 runs and scored 3 times. "Rizz" is hitting .257, with 52 RBI for the Threshers. Joel Naughton also had 3 hits, but Clearwater lost to those damn Yankees, 9-6.

The BlueClaws came from behind to beat Charleston 6-4 Sunday behind Matthew Way. Way benefited from a good offense, and got some relief help from Freddy Ballestas (2 perfect innings, 3 Ks) and Santo Hernandez, who has returned from Clearwater. The return of Hernandez is good news for the Lakewood pen, he has been extremely effective in this league and the playoffs are right around the corner.

Finally, Ryan Howard belted 2 home runs, driving in 4 runs in support of Jay Happ, to help the Phillies take 2 of 3 from Atlanta. "Ryno" now has 30 dingers and 91 RBI, but lets take a minute to talk about Happ. Jay has been fantastic this season for the Phillies. At 9-2, 2.66 on the year, he has been the most consistent starter since joining the rotation. He has now gone 11 consecutive starts where he has given Philadelphia at least 6 innings. That is a franchise record for rookies. Do I dare say "rookie of the year?" He most definitely has to be in the conversation.