here and there

In Charlotte, the Knights pounded the IronPigs, 8-1. Drew Carpenter (2.10) threw 2 scoreless innings (3 hits, 3 Ks), and Chance Chapman allowed 2 runs on 3 hits in his inning. Chapman has pitched in 13 games for the Pigs, 2-2, 4.88, giving up 27 hits in 24 innings. He has struck out 19 and walked only 7. Chance is progressing well, and just needs a little more consistency to find his way to the majors.

In Scranton, Greg Golson came off the DL and played in his first game in over a month, going 1 for 4 in the Yankees 7-3 loss to Toledo. This morning, the IronPigs are in first place, 4 games ahead of both Scranton and Pawtucket, who beat Durham, 7-1.

Elsewhere, I noticed that Adrian Cardenas played left field for Sacramento last night, as the River Cats beat Sky Sox in Colorado Springs. Cardenas, who was 0 for 4 to slip to .330, has been playing in the infield most of his career. In fact, this was the first time I have noticed him in the outfield.


In Richmond, Derrick Mitchell had 3 of Reading's 8 hits, including his 8th home run of the season, and the R-Phils wasted a nice pitching performance from Ryan Edell and dropped a 3-2 decision to the Flying Squirrels. Edell went 6, and gave up only 1 run, before yielding to Chris Kissock, who threw a scoreless 7th. Phillippe Aumont lost it, allowing 2 hits, making a throwing error and throwing a wild pitch. E-Gads!!

In Trenton, the Thunder continue to be the hot team, this time defeating first place New Hampshire 4-3 in 10 innings top move within 1 game of the Fisher Cats. Anthony Gose was 1 for 5, with an RBI and his 25th stolen base........In Chattanooga, Quintin Berry (.301) had a walk, an RBI-single during the 4-run, game deciding rally, scored 2 runs and stole his 14th base as the Mudcats beat the Lookouts, 7-6. Berry and the Mudcats will face Will Savage (5-2, 3.58) this afternoon.............In Mobile, Jesus Sanchez' problems continue for the Huntsville Stars. After making 9 starts, Sanchez has been moved to the pen, and has not adjusted yet. Yesterday he gave up 4 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits including 2 home runs in just 2 innings of work, giving the ball to Darren Byrd with 2 on and nobody out in the 8th. Bryd let both runners score before retiring the side and Bay Bears topped the Stars, 5-0. Not so good for either of our boys there.

In Clearwater, 5 different Threshers had 2 hits each and Julio Rodriguez won his 7th game of the year, as the Threshers beat Dunedin, 11-5. Not the greatest of outings for Rodriguez, but he benefited from Clearwater's 8 run 5th inning. J-Rod went 5 inning, allowing 4 runs, and 2 hits and 5 walks. (This makes up for pitching a great game and getting no support sometimes) Mike McGuire, who had been on Lakewood's DL most of the year, was activated this week and assigned to Clearwater, and made his first appearance Saturday. He recorded 7 outs, 4 Ks, allowing just 1 hit, before Derrick Loop came on for the final 5 outs. Loop (0.99 ERA) allowed a run, the first he has surrendered since May 6.

Brian Gump (single, double), Darin Ruf (2 doubles, 3 RBI), Jeremy Barnes, Kyle Lafrenz (RBI)and Cesar Hernandez (2 RBI) all had 2 hits for Clearwater, and Jonathan Singleton had a hit and 3 walks, drove in a run and scored 3 times.