a day for the pitchers

Following Jason Knapp's matinee performance for the BlueClaws, the theme continued to be pitching on Tuesday.

First, to Lakeland, Florida, where Mike Zagurski pitched another scoreless inning for the Threshers to start the game. "Zag" has now thrown twice for Clearwater, allowing just 1 hit in 2 innings. From there, Kyle Drabek continues his fantastic comeback. Drabek struck out 10, walked 2, allowed just 4 hits in 6.2 scoreless innings of work to record his 3rd win of the year. The 21 year old has thrown 18 innings so far, allowing just 2 runs on 10 hits, walking 5 and striking out 26 (yes, 26) to post a 3-0, 0.96 ERA record. Mike Durant, 1 for 20 coming into the game, had 2 hits, as did Matt Rizzotti. "Rizz" hit his first home run, and is hitting .351 with 9 RBI for the Threshers. Clearwater won the game, 4-0.

Over in Jupiter, Brett Harker threw 2.2 innings for the Hammerheads, giving up 2 home runs to account for 3 earned runs against the Mets. For Brett, it was the first time in 3 appearances he did not look sharp.

In Altoona, Tyson Brummett and Antonio Bastardo held the Curve in check, and Reading prevailed, 3-1. Brummett was strong for 7.2 innings, giving up just 1 run on 5 hits, NO walks, striking out 5 to improve to 1-1, 2.55 for the year. Bastardo got the last 4 outs, allowing 2 hits, NO walks, 1 K, to record his 2nd save. Brian Staviski had 2 hits and a walk for Reading, with Michael Taylor (.258) and Tuffy Gosewisch (.280) to only HomeSiders to record hits. Taylor also stole his 3rd base.

Carlos Carrasco completed the fine pitching day, retiring the first 13 hitters he faced before giving up 3 runs on 3 hits and 1 walk(the first walk he has allowed in 19 innings) in 7 innings. Unfortunately for Carlos and the IronPigs, it was too much, and Syracuse triumphed, 3-1. Jason Donald (.269) and Jeremy Slayden (.300) had a hit apiece for Lehigh Valley.

In Lynchburg, Virginia, Mike Dubee got 5 outs for the Hillcats in relief in the first game of a doubleheader against Frederick. 4 of the 5 outs were by strike out. He did give up 2 runs on 3 hits, but Lynchburg won, 3-2. Dubee is playing for P.J. Forbes, former BlueClaw and Reading manager in Lynchburg. In Jackson, Tennessee, Brian Schlitter retired the last 5 hitters of the game, striking out 3 of them, to pick up the save in the Tennessee Smokies 8-7 win over the West Tennessee Diamond Jacks. It was save #2 for Brian.

In Las Vegas, the "bring up Homie" campaign continues, as Randy Ruiz belted his 5th home run, a 2 run shot in the 6th inning of the 51s' 6-5 loss to Fresno. Homie is hitting .333, with the 5 homers and 16 RBI.

In Oklahoma City, Greg Golson drove in 3 runs, with a 2-run homer and a sacrifice fly to raise his average to .342, but the RedHawks lost to Omaha, 15-9. In Reno, Chris Roberson (.231) had a double in 4 at bats for the Aces in their 3-2 loss to Colorado Springs.

The rain has messed with the pitching assignments but my best estimations are:

Rob Roth for Lakewood

Carlos Monasterios for Clearwater

Joe Savery for Reading

Drew Carpenter for Lehigh Valley