Proud to be a homie

Good Morning, HomeSiders-

With a title like this post has, you KNOW who I'm going to talk about!!

Randy Ruiz (my homie from da Bronx) hammered the IronPigs last night in Rochester. Ruiz smacked a double and a home run, driving in 4 runs in Rochester's 8-2 win over Lehigh Valley. Speaking of Lehigh Valley, Tim Gradoville has been activated as a player and assigned there. Grado joins Mike Spidale, Javon Moran, Jason Jaramillo, and J.A. Happ (Joe Bisenius is on the DL) to make 6 former 'Claws to Lehigh Valley's roster. Rochester and Lehigh Valley will move to Allentown for the next 3 days, while Reading and Connecticut meet up in Reading over this weekend. Plenty of baseball around, Homesiders. Don't let the fact that the BlueClaws are out of town stop you from going to a game!! I don't!! I will be in Allentown Sunday afternoon, weather permitting, to check out Coca Cola Park and say hi to the boys.

Last night in Norfolk, the Richmond Braves beat the Norfolk Tides, 2-1, despite 3 hits from Chris Roberson. Robey had 2 singles and a double and drove in Norfolk's lone run. Chris is hitting .298 this morning.

In Las Vegas, Kevin Howard was given the night off, but when the 51s needed a pinch hitter in the 7th inning of their 8-1 win, Kevin got the call. He responded with a 2-out RBI single, driving in his 8th run of the year, lifting his average to .294.

In Clearwater last night, the Threshers lost to Sarasota, 6-4. Joe Savery (1-1, 2.25) threw 6 innings, charged with 3 runs on 7 hits, NO walks, striking out 9. I am in New Jersey looking at the numbers, and I am as impressed as I can be without actually seeing this guy pitch. Nate Johnson came in after Savery, and struggled again. He gave up 3 runs on 2 hits and 2 walks, recording just 1 out. Nate cannot seem to find it. He has been charged with 8 runs in just 8.2 innings. Matt German and Dan Brauer got the last 8 outs, but the offense could not recover. P.J. Antoniato (.328) continues to shine while Adrian Cardenas is sidelined. P.J. got 2 more hits Thursday, while Gus Milner (who came into the game 8 for his last 12) picked up another hit and RBI #12. Mike Eylward had 3 more hits, and is 9 for 17 (.529) since joining the team. Shane Victorino played again for the Threshers, but has moved up the Reading, where he will be in the lineup tonight for the R-Phils.

In Lexington last night, the BlueClaws made it 3 wins in a row, topping the Legends, 6-2. Tyson Brummett (2-0, 2.32) continued the success story of the starting staff. Tyson gave us 7 solid innings, surrendering just 2 runs. He did give up 8 hits, but showed he knew how to pitch under pressure, getting out of trouble time and again. Moises Melendez and Joe Rocchio pitched a scoreless inning each to settle the issue. Dominic Brown continues to look good in the 3 slot, getting 2 more hits to raise his average to .305. Michael Durant also had 2 more hits, including his 5th home run. Mike is 4 for his last 7, and seems to be hitting the ball squarely again. Lakewood is in Lexington again tonight, Julian Sampson (1-1) gets the ball.

Finally, in Chicago last night, Gavin Floyd pitched 6 innings against the Yankees. He was charged with 5 runs on 5 hits and 4 walks, striking out 4. He received no decision and the White Sox won 7-6 in the bottom of the 9th.

I will be home by the computer tonight monitoring the action, so stay tuned.