Radhames Liz turned in one of his finest performances, Mud Hens Michael Hollimon and Jeff Larish went deep, Jay Bruce had two more base knocks and Jeff Clement helped Tacoma slam Las Vegas.

INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day

When he gets ahead of hitters and uses all three of his pitches, Orioles righthander Radhames Liz (Orioles) can overpower any batter. Too often, though, he falls behind and has to come with the fastball. And his record prior to yesterday’s outing against Richmond (0-5, 5.12 through eight starts) give us an idea of how that’s worked out.

Regardless, the 24-year-old Liz had it working yesterday, throwing seven innings and allowing one unearned run on six hits and a walk. He struck out six. And despite his struggles, he’s pitched six or seven innings in each of his past six starts, striking out 36, walking 18 and allowing one home run in those 38 innings. Afterward, Liz explained the reason for his success to The Virginia Pilot:

“I had command of everything. I was trying to throw first-pitch strikes.”

Prospect Nuggets

Toledo (Tigers) managed "just" two home runs in a loss to Columbus yesterday, two days after hitting seven in a game. 2B Michael Hollimon (2-for-5, two RBIs, strikeout) clubbed his 12th of the year, pulling to within three of teammate 1B Jeff Larish (1-for-3, walk, strikeout), who hit his 15th . . . Louisville CF Jay Bruce (Reds) went 2-for-4 with a run scored, a strikeout and an RBI. He hasn’t gone hitless in consecutive games since May 3-4. In his past 10 games, he’s batting .514 with four doubles, a triple, five homers and 13 RBIs . . . Buffalo RHP Adam Miller (Indians) got a late start to the season because of spring-training blister problems. He worked five innings last night (2 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 3 BB, 4 SO) and has been steady, if unspectacular, since his return. In 28 2/3 innings he’s allowed 26 hits (zero home runs) while striking out 20 and walking 12. His ERA stands a 1.88.

What To Watch For Today

With a light four-game IL schedule (two of them a Durham at Charlotte doubleheader), the game to watch is Louisville and Indianapolis, where two of the league’s finest (Jay Bruce, Andrew McCutchen) go head to head.

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day

Not even Jeff Clement could save the Mariners’ offense. He batted .167/.286/.250 (8-for-48) as a catcher/DH before his demotion back to Tacoma. He belted a grand slam (his sixth PCL homer) yesterday to help the Rainiers defeat Las Vegas. Playing DH, Clement went 1-for-3 with two walks, two strikeouts, two runs scored and four RBIs.

Prospect Nuggets

Portland (Padres) defeated Tucson (Diamondbacks) 4-1 on the strength of the arm of LHP Cesar Ramos. He went six innings, allowing just that one run on three hits and two walks, striking out two. His mound opponent, RHP Billy Buckner, didn’t make it past the fifth, giving up three runs on six hits and three walks. For his part, Portland LF Chase Headley struck a double (14) as part of a 1-for-4 day.

What To Watch For Today

Omaha RHP Kyle Davies (Royals), who pitches today against Iowa, has been better than Kansas City could’ve hoped for when they traded Octavio Dotel for him last year. Through 43 innings, he’s given up 34 hits (four home runs) and 18 walks while striking out 28.