some high lights

Some of the items that caught my attention the last few days:

Wednesday night, Lakewood- Tyson Brummett, in his finale for Lakewood threw 6 shut out innings, allowing just 3 hits, NO walks, 6 strike outs, in the BlueClaw's 10-1 win over Kannapolis. Brummett, who attended UCLA, is 23 years old, and pitched very well for the BlueClaws. He was 3-0, 1.95 in 6 starts and deserving of the promotion. (More on the promotion in a minute.) Lakewood got contributions from all over offensively, and it started at the top. Herm Demmink had 2 hits and 2 walks, scored 4 times, and every time I looked up, he was on base!! It all flowed from there. Derrick Mitchell had 2 2-run home runs, the first one in the 1st inning to set the tone, and the second in the 8th inning to put the exclamation point on this one. Michael Taylor continues his solid start to 2008, with 2 more hits and 2 more RBI, and Jesus Sanchez had 2 hits and a walk and scored 2 runs. Dominic Brown was also on base 4 times, causing all kinds of problems for Kannapolis' defense.

Back to Brummett: he goes to Clearwater and jumps right into the rotation there. Antonio Bastardo is on to Reading, and will make his first start tonight in Harrisburg. Brummett joins Joe Savery, Edgar Garcia, Dan Brauer and Darren Byrd in the rotation. Tyson will probably pitch Monday or Tuesday.

Bastardo goes to Reading and joins Drew Carpenter, Zack Segovia, Carlos Carrasco and Kip Bouknight. Segovia made the start Friday night and did not fare well. He gave up 3 hits and 4 walks, 5 earned runs in just 2.2 innings. Josh Outman made his first relief appearance since his role was redefined, and made in through 3.1 innings. He gave up 2 runs, on 4 hits and 2 walks. Harrisburg defeated Reading, 8-2, both Reading runs driven in by Jeremy Slayden, who leads all former 'Claws with 22 RBI. Bastardo gets thrown right into the fire, he takes on the league leading Senators tonight.

Thursday night in Tacoma, Andrew Baldwin made his best start of the year, throwing 6.2 innings, giving up just 1 unearned run, 2 hits, 1 walk, and got his first AAA win as Tacoma beat New Orleans, 3-2. Baldwin is now 1-1, 5.91 for the Seattle affiliate.

On Friday in Geneva, Illinois, Scott Mitchinson put in another strong effort for the Kane County Cougars. Scott went 7.1 innings, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits and 1 walk, striking out 6. He got no decision in a game the Cougars lost 6-2 in 10, and is 3-0, 2.54 in his 5 starts so far.

Kyle Kendrick got the start for the Phillies against the Giants Friday night, and made it through 6 innings. He gave up 3 runs on 8 hits, NO walks and struck out 6 to lower his ERA to 5.01. The Phils won in the 10th on a walk off 2-run homer from Pat Burrell.