catching up

Let me share with you what I found interesting the last few days.

My favorite story started to unfold in Philadelphia last night, as Michael Bourn and the Houston Astros came to tow. Michael, wearing the honorary #42 jersey for Houston (to commemorate the anniversary of Jackie Robinson's first game with the Dodgers), was 1 for 4, but stole his seventh base with out being caught this year. Overall in his career, Mike is 26 for 29. Impressive!

The intrigue gets better tonight when Kyle Kendrick takes the hill for Philadelphia. Kyle and Mike were teammates here in Lakewood in 2004. Is this the first at bat for former Lakewood teammates facing each other in the major leagues? I cannot think of another one, off hand. Anybody out there?

I will be at the Lakewood game, but my mind will be in Philly, when I know Bourn is stepping in against Kendrick.

Speaking of Lakewood, the BlueClaws split the 2 games in Ohio, falling 5-4 Monday night before bouncing back to win 5-3 on Tuesday. I offer these comments about the team from my perspective. The starting pitchers have been good the last time through the rotation. Drew Naylor, Tyson Brummett, and Julian Sampson all gave nice outings the last few days, each one giving us a chance to win their game. If that effort continues, this team will win more than it's share of games. Jacob Diekman gets the ball tonight, and judging by his last start, could be primed to join them.

I see that D'Arby Myers had a hit in 4 of the 5 games on the road trip, and seems to be getting around on pitches, and after a rough start, is starting to show some consistency. And Derrick Mitchell had a hit in his last 2 starts. Derrick hit a bunch of balls hard in the early games, with very few hits to show for it. Hopefully, this will even itself out with a few bloops falling in for Derrick. Early season surprise has to be Dennis Winn. Dennis has played 4 games, collecting 5 hits, 4 of them doubles, and driving in 4 runs.

My HomeSider radar is also zeroing in on Louisville Kentucky tonight, as the Bats host Norfolk. Matt Maloney will get the start for Louisville, and Chris Roberson could be in the Tides line up. Another battle of former Claws, although Matt and Robey were not teammates here.

And it has happened, folks, yes it has: the IronPigs have won a game. Brian Mazone is the first IronPigs pitcher to record a win, pitching 5 strong innings in a 4-1 victory.

The Phillies also shifted infielders with Joey Hammond going from Reading to Lehigh Valley and Gookie Dawkins leaving the Pigs to join the R-Phils.

And if I have an eye left, I will cast in the direction of Fort Myers, Florida, where Carlos Monasterios gets the start for the Threshers. In 13 innings in his first 2 starts, Carlos has given up just 8 hits and 4 earned runs. He has walked 4 and struck out 8.

11:00 AM game Thursday in Lakewood, so don't hold me to an early post, but I will be home to monitor other games in the evening.