Unless you’re a soccer fan, you’re probably not used to seeing the U.S. as an underdog in a major international sports competition. But here we are in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic—America’s Pastime—and Team USA is undoubtedly the underdog.

Team USA plays Japan at 8 p.m. ET Sunday in the second semifinal, with South Korea and Venezuela playing Saturday at the same time. The winners meet Monday at Dodger Stadium, site of all three games this weekend.

If you’re an American baseball fan who hasn’t paid attention to the World Baseball Classic, you may be shocked to find that the Americans’ pitching staff is not the deepest staff in the semifinals. In fact, you could argue that it is one of the thinnest.

Japan, which comes into the semifinals having allowed six runs in its first six games (for a sparkling 1.06 ERA) can send Red Sox righthander Daisuke Matsuzaka, who seems to pitch his best on the international stage, followed by 22-year-old phenom Yu Darvish. Or Japan could turn to Hisashi Iwakuma, fresh off his surgical amputation of Cuba’s bats, with Darvish bringing his 97 mph heat in from the pen. [...] Continue Reading »

California League

Stockton 9, Lancaster 3 (Stockton wins best-of-five series 3-1)

Stockton won its eleventh California League Championship and first since 2002 on Sunday night. Chris Carter led the Ports blasting a grand slam in a six-run seventh that broke up a 1-1 tie. Carter added a solo shot in the ninth to cap a season that saw him hit 39 regular season and five postseason home runs. The Ports offense also saw Archie Gilbert (3-for-5, 2 R, 1 RBI) and Josh Horton (3-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBI) have big nights. Ports lefty Carlos Hernandez had another solid start going 5.1 allowing only one run. Right-hander Pat Currin (2-1) got the win going two scoreless in relief. JetHawks starter righthander Blake Maxwell pitched well through 5.2, but was let down by his bullpen as lefty Derrick Loop (0-1) gave up five in 2/3 innings for the loss. Lancaster’s offensive star Yamaico Navarro (3-for-3, 1 RBI).

Carolina League

Potomac 8, Myrtle Beach 2   Friday 8/12/08  (Potomac wins best-of-five series 3-1)

Potomac captured its first ever Mills Cup Championship in easy fashion defeating regular season champ Myrtle Beach 8-2. Nats starter righty Erik Arneson (1-0) defeated the Pelicans with a strong 6.2 innings, allowing just two runs. Arneson got more than enough offense early as they put runs on the board in the first four innings to go up 7-1. Dee Brown got the Nats off to a good start hitting a two-run homer in the first. Boomer Whiting added his own two-run shot in the second and the game was effectively over. The Nats got five (four earned) of their early runs off of Pelicans ace left-hander Cole Rohrbough (1-1) who lasted on 2.2. Myrtle Beach got its only offensive production from first-baseman Ernesto Mejia who hit two solo-homers in the game for the Pelicans. Myrtle Beach falls short in the playoffs despite a regular season that saw them win eighty-nine games. However, Potomac was dominant in the playoff outscoring opponents 41-16 en route to the Carolina League Championship.

California League

Stockton 9, Lancaster 5 (Stockton leads best-of-five series 1-0)

Stockton took the lead in the California League championship with a 9-5 victory over Lancaster. The Ports got most of their offense from one man, left fielder Archie Gilbert. Gilbert, a former Red Sox prospect, went 3-for-4 and drove in six runs (he also stole two bases) to lead the Ports to victory. Helping Gilbert out were second baseman Frank Martinez (2-for-3, 3 R, 1 RBI) and right fielder Michael Massaro (2-for-3, 2 R).

Neither starter factored in the decision, but Ports righthander Jason Glushon (1-0) got the win throwing three innings and allowing just one run in relief. The two teams were tied after four innings at 5-5, but Stockton scored four unanswered runs after that point and secure the game one win. Catcher Jon Still drove in two with a double in the third paced the JetHawks offense. Game two is tonight at Stockton at 7:05 EST.

Carolina League

Potomac 8, Myrtle Beach 7 in 10 Innings (Potomac leads best-of-five series 2-1)

Myrtle Beach, the best team in the Carolina League regular season, is one loss away from having their season ended after falling 8-7 in ten innings to Potomac last night. The Pelicans had a 7-4 lead entering the ninth before everything came crashing down. With two outs and two on in the ninth Pelicans lefthander Ferdin Tejeda gave up a three-run homer to Nats catcher Jhonatan Solano that tied the game at seven. The Pelicans never recovered and relief pitcher righty Brett Butts lost the game in the tenth walking three batters, including walking in the winning run.

The Nats got on the board early with two runs in both the first and third, led by a two-run homer in the third by second baseman Michael Martinez that gave them a 4-2 lead. Myrtle Beach then rattled off five unanswered with the big hit coming off the bat of first baseman Ernesto Mejia with his two-RBI single in the fifth. Shortstop Brandon Hicks added a solo homer in the eighth to extend the lead to 7-4. Nats righthander Josh Wilkie (1-0) got the win in relief allowing no runs in two innings of work. Center fielder Gorkys Hernandez also had a big night for Myrtle Beach going 2-for-4 with two runs and a pair of doubles in the losing effort. The Pelicans will attempt to force a fifth game Friday night as they send lefty Cole Rohrbough to the mound at Potomac at 7:05 EST.

California League

Lancaster 10, Lake Elsinore 8 (Lancaster wins best-of-five series 2-1)

In the deciding game of the California League semifinals, Lancaster was able to secure a late 10-8 victory over Lake Elsinore and advance to the Cal League Finals. The Storm jumped out early with five runs in the third led by RBI-doubles from Cedric Hunter (2-for-6) and Eric Sogard (2-for-4, 2 RBIs). Lancaster came out early as well with eight in the first three innings with the big blow coming on a Kris Negron three-run homer in a six-run third. Storm third-baseman James Darnell had a big night, going 3-for-5 with an RBI in the fifth. In the eighth, Sam Carter doubled in two to tie the game 8-8. Lake Elsinore righthander Brandon Gomes (0-1) could not keep the game tied as he allowed two runs in the bottom of the frame to take the loss. Righty Jason Blackey got the save for the JetHawks with a perfect ninth. The JetHawks will now travel to Stockton for the Cal League Finals Thursday night at 7:05 PST.

Stockton 9, San Jose 4 (Stockton wins best-of-five series 2-1)

Stockton wanted to leave little doubt in eliminating defending Cal League champ San Jose. The Ports jumped on early with seven runs in the first two innings. San Jose answered with three of their own (all unearned) in the first two, but couldn’t keep up with Stockton after that. Ports righty Graham Godfrey (2-0) bounced back from his poor early defense to go seven, allowing no earned runs and striking out five for the win. Giants lefthander Jesse English (0-1) did not bounce back allowing seven runs in the first two frames without recording an out in the second. The bulk of the Giants offense came on a Bobby Felmy two-RBI double in the second. The Ports got big hits from the usual suspects: Chris Carter went 1-for-3 with two runs and an RBI, Josh Donaldson went 2-for-3 and drove in two, and Corey Brown had the big hit of the game a bases clearing three-RBI double in the second. Stockton hosts Lancaster tonight at 7:05 PST to begin the Ca League Finals.

Carolina League

No games scheduled.

9/11/2008   Myrtle Beach at Potomac 7:05 EST (Best-of-five series tied at 1-1)

Florida State League

Daytona won Florida State League Title Series 3-1

California League

San Jose 2, Stockton 1 (Best-of-five series tied 2-2)

A fifth and deciding game will be needed to decide who will advance to the California League Finals as San Jose came from behind to defeat Stockton. San Jose took its first lead on a Sharlon Schoop two-RBI double in the seventh. The Giants would hold on as righty Dan Otero threw a perfect 1 1/3 innings to close out the contest. Josh Donaldson was 2-for-3 and Jermaine Mitchell (1-for3) drove in the Ports only run, as both players kept their playoff hot streaks alive. Ports lefthander Carlos Hernandez had another excellent start. He allowed just four baserunners in six innings while striking out ten. Giants righthander Daryl Maday matched him for five, allowing only six runners and striking out eight in a no decision. The series finale takes place tonight in San Jose at 7:00 PST.

Lancaster 4, Lake Elsinore 3 (Best-of-five series tied at 2-2)

In similar fashion to the other California League semifinal Lancaster took the lead late to tie the series at two and force a final and deciding game with a 4-3 win Tuesday. In the sixth, with the game tied at two, Daniel Nava ripped his second RBI double of the game to give the JetHawks the lead for good. Lancaster starter right-hander Blake Maxwell (1-0) was solid going six allowing only two runs, and lefty Derrick Loop gave the JetHawks three innings of one run relief to hold onto the victory. Luis Durango and Eric Sogard had good nights for the Storm in the loss both hitters going 3-for-5. The final and deciding game of this series takes place tonight at 7:00 PST in Lancaster. [...] Continue Reading »

California League

Stockton 7, San Jose 6 (Stockton leads best-of-five series 2-1)

Stockton took a step closer to the California League Finals by beating San Jose 7-6 on a Jermaine Mitchell walk-off single. The Ports stormed back after entering the eighth down 5-2, but scored five runs in the final two innings. Josh Horton (2-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBI), Chris Carter (1-for-3, HR, 42 on season), and Matt Spencer (3-for-5, 1 R, 1 RBI) led the attack, all contributing in the comeback. Corey Brown spraked the ninth inning outburst for the Ports with a two-RBI double. The Giants got a big night from Mike McBryde (3-for-5, 3 R), and Sharlon Schoop added a three-run homer in the loss. Left-hander Joe Paterson (0-1, BS 1) took the loss for San Jose allowing Mitchell’s single, but right-hander Juan Trinidad allowed the Ports to tie it up giving up two to start the ninth. Left-hander Branden Dewing (1-0) got the win with two scoreless innings of relief. Stockton will try to close out the series at home tonight at 7:05 PST. 

Lake Elsinore 5, Lancaster 4 (Lake Elsinore leads best-of-five series 2-1)

One night after scoring four runs in the last two innings to tie the series at one the Storm came from behind again to win 5-4. Storm leftfielder Luis Durango singled home the game winner in walk-off fashion to put the Storm up two games to one in the series. Lancaster scored four in the fourth to take control of the game paced by Michael Jones and Reid Engel each going deep in the inning.  Eric Sogard paced the comeback for the Storm scroring Cedric Hunter on a triple in the fourth. The bullped was outstanding for the Storm throwing 5.2 scorelss, led by right-hander Robert Woodard’s two innings and right-hander Evan Scribner’s (1-0) perfect ninth. JetHawks lefty reliever Kyle Fernandes (0-2) took his second playoff loss thanks in large part to two ninth inning walks. The Storm have a chance to end the series with a home game tonight at 7:08 PST. 

[...] Continue Reading »

California League

Lancaster 9, Lake Elsinore 6  10 Innings (Best-of-five series tied 1-1)

Lancaster took game two of the best-of-five California League Semifinal series in dramatic fashion. Kris Negron smacked a walk-off three-run homer in the bottom of the tenth to tie the series between Lancaster and Lake Elsinore at one with Lancaster’s 9-6 victory. Lancaster jumped out to a big lead with a five-run first sparked by a Jon Still three-run homer. The Storm then fought back scoring in five different frames to take a 6-5 lead into the ninth before JetHawks shortstop Yamaico Navarro’s RBI single tied it at six. The Storm were led by Brian Joynt and Anthony Contreras who each homered in the game. RHP Wilton Lopez (0-1, BS 1) took the loss for the Storm giving up four runs (one earned) in 1 2/3 innings. RHP Jason Blackley (1-0) got the win with a scoreless tenth for the JetHawks.  The series will continue on Monday night at 7:08 PST at Lake Elsinore.

Stockton 7, San Jose 6 (Best-of-five series tied at 1-1)

In another California League thriller Stockton took out San Jose 7-6 with a three-run ninth. San Jose got a solid start from righthander Kevin Pucetas who went six allowing one run and striking out five. The Giants looked to have everything under control for most of the game as they got RBI’s from six different players, including a homer from Brad Boyer. The Ports then came back with six runs in the final three innings. The Ports ninth featured a two RBI game tying triple from Chris Carter, followed by a Josh Donaldson single to give Stockton the lead for the first time in the game. Righthander Michael Benacka came into to close out the game for Stockton and tie the series. Dan Otero (0-1, BS 1) took the loss for the Giants giving up all three ninth-inning runs while only recording two outs. Donaldson had the big game for Stockton as he continues his hot hitting going 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBI. The Series will resume at 7:05 PST at Stockton on Monday. [...] Continue Reading »

California League

Lake Elsinore 10, Inland Empire 5 (Game Suspended Due to Power, Game 1 Best-of-3 Series)

Lake Elsinore and Inland Empire opened their best-of-three series at San Bernardino on Wednesday night. Unfortunately, they will have to complete game one of the series Thursday night at Lake Elsinore. Game one was suspended with Cedric Hunter (2-for-4, 2 BB) on second and two outs in the top of the ninth. In a bizarre affair the 66ers lights went out just after Hunter’s two out double. They then came back for three pitches to 66ers 2B Eric Sogard before going out again, causing umpires to call the game. Prior to that the 66ers crowd was treated to offensive show by visiting Lake Elsinore. The aptly named Storm came out of the box hot scoring three runs in the first.  The 66ers fought back scoring once in each of the next three innings to tie the game at three. Catcher Mitch Canham had a big night with two doubles in a 3 for 4 night at the plate. The storm took control for good, scoring three in the eighth, led by 3B Brian Joynt’s (2-for-5, 3 RBI) 2-RBI double. That is where the game stands as they head to Lake Elsinore. The game will be completed at 6:05 PST at Lake Elsinore, with Game Two of the Series following immediately afterwards.  [...] Continue Reading »

FLORIDA STATE LEAGUE

Fort Myers 2, Dunedin 1 (Fort Myers leads best-of-3 series 1-0)

Rene Tosoni hit only two home runs in 142 regular season at-bats, so it was a little surprising that it was his home run that led the Miracle past Dunedin. Tosoni, a .300/.408/.414 hitter for Fort Myers, hit a two-run first-inning home run, which proved to be all the runs Cole Devries needed. Devries held Dunedin to only five hits in 6 1/3 scoreless innings before turning it over to the Miracle bullpen. Carlos Gutierrez, the Twins’ 2008 first-round pick, struck out two in 1 1/3 scoreless innings while Anthony Slama closed it out for the save in the ninth. It was a rockier outing than normal for Slama, who finished the year with a 1.01 ERA. Matthew Liuzza, Dunedin’s catcher homered off Slama, which was the first home run he had given up all year.

Palm Beach, Dayton ppd., rain

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE

Inland Empire 7, Rancho Cucamonga 6 (13-innings) (One Game Playoff, Inland Empire advances to California League Semifinals)

Inland Empire has had Rancho Cucamonga’s number all season, so it was fitting that they would do the same in a one-game playoff for the California League’s final playoff spot. Bridger Hunt scored on A.J. Ford’s wild pitch in the 13th to give the 66ers a one-run win and a spot in the playoffs. It was Inland Empire’s 11th win in 13 games against the Quakes this season. The 66ers jumped out to a 6-2 lead before the bullpen blew it. Rancho Cucamonga rallied for four runs in the eighth and ninth to tie the game and send it to extra innings. Reliever Trevor Bell kept the Quakes in the game with 3 2/3 scoreless innings, but it wasn’t enough thanks to the 66ers rally in the 13th. Christian Lara went 5-for-7 for Inland Empire, while Drew Toussaint went 4-for-7 for Rancho Cucamonga. Peter Bourjos stole his 50th base for the Quakes. Inland Empire will travel to face the Lake Elsinore Storm in a best-of-3 seminfinal starting on Wednesday.

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day

Rancho Cucamonga (Angels) righthander Sean O’Sullivan kept the Quakes’ playoff hopes alive by firing eight innings of three-hit ball in a 5-3 win against Inland Empire (Dodgers). Sullivan improved to 16-8, allowing three runs, all earned, on five hits. He also worked around five walks but had two strikeouts as the Quakes forced a tiebreaker today against Inland Empire.

Prospect Nuggets

Rancho center fielder Peter Bourjos had three hits, two runs and also stole his 49th base. … Bakersfield (Rangers) shortstop Marcus Lemon had two hits, including his 30th double, and also swiped his 12th base in a 7-6 win against Modesto. Bakersfield lefthander Kasey Kiker took a no-decision after allowing four runs, all earned, on five hits in four innings. … San Jose (Giants) righthander Daryl Maday struck out nine in five innings, allowing two runs, and first baseman Brett Pill had three hits, scored two runs and delivered an RBI in a 5-4 win against Lancaster. … Visalia (Diamondbacks) third baseman Ricardo Sosa was 4-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored in a 6-3 win against Stockton. Righthander Barry Enright struck out six over six innings, allowing three runs on six hits to improve to 12-8. … High Desert (Mariners) shortstop Carlos Triunfel was 1-for-4 in a 6-4 win against Lake Elsinore. [...] Continue Reading »

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day

Rancho Cucamonga (Angels) designated hitter Hank Conger helped shred High Desert (Mariners) 7-3 on Thursday night, delivering three hits and three RBIs and scoring a run. Conger is hitting .298/.325/.487 with 10 home runs and 69 RBIs and has been on a tear in August, having banged out 33 hits and driving in 29 runs.

Prospect Nuggets

Righthander Jordan Walden struck out seven and yielded two runs on four hits in six innings, improving to 5-2, 3.95 for the Quakes … Modesto (Rockies) catcher Michael McKenry was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBIs, and righthander Esmil Rogers had a trio of sevens (innings, strikeouts, hits) and also registered eight groundball outs in a 9-1 win against San Jose (Giants). … Visalia (Diamondbacks) shortstop Pedro Ciraco had three hits in a 4-3 win against Bakersfield. … Lake Elsinore (Padres) third baseman Brian Joynt doubled and homered in a 5-1 win against Inland Empire (Dodgers). … Stockton (Athletics) designated hitter Chris Carter finished with two hits, including his 39th home run and 103rd RBI, in a 6-1 win against Lancaster (Red Sox). [...] Continue Reading »

California League

Prospect Of The Day

Barry Enright offered a rare opportunity to bestow a Cal League pitcher with POTD honors, as the Visalia (Diamondbacks) righthander allowed just one hit in six innings and struck out six to lower his ERA to 4.43 for the year. The lone hit was a solo home run in the first inning, but the effort was good enough to earn his 11th win of the season.

Prospect Nuggets

Center fielder Peter Bourjos went 2-for-4 yesterday, including his seventh home run of the season for Rancho Cucamonga (Angels) . . . Modesto (Rockies) righthander Jhoulys Chacin surrendered one run in five innings, striking out five and walking one. The performance comes after he held the opposition scoreless in his last 10 innings . . . San Diego’s first round selection Allan Dykstra tallied the first hit of his professional career, a double, while serving as Lake Elsinore’s (Padres) designated hitter. [...] Continue Reading »

California League

Just one game was played in the Cal League yesterday, with Lancaster (Red Sox) taking on Stockton (Athletics). The JetHawks won 6-2 thanks to home runs by catcher Jon Still, shortstop Yamaico Navarro and center fielder Jason Place. Third baseman Chris Carter was 1-for-4 with a home run for the Ports. It was his 37th home run of the season.

The league returns to a full slate today and righthander Jhoulys Chacin will take the hill for Modesto (Rockies). [...] Continue Reading »

California League

Prospect Of The Day

Serving as the DH, Stockton’s (Athletics) Corey Brown put in his share of offense yesterday. He was 2-for-3 with two solo home runs, giving him 16 on the year. But that wasn’t nearly enough as Visalia (Diamondbacks) took the contest, 13-4.

Prospect Nuggets

Lancaster (Red Sox) shortstop Yamaico Navarro had a perfect day, going 4-for-4 with his 12th double…Center fielder Cedric Hunter was 2-for-4 with his 32nd double and second baseman Eric Sogard was 1-for-4 with a double and three RBIs as Lake Elsinore (Padres) took down Bakersfield (Rangers) 10-4…High Desert (Mariners) shortstop Carlos Triunfel was 2-for-5 and was caught stealing for the ninth time this year…Bakersfield first baseman Ian Gac was 1-for-3 and went deep for the 12th time in the Cal League. [...] Continue Reading »

California League

Prospect Of The Day

Cedric Hunter saw his 22-game hitting streak end Friday but he had three more hits Sunday as Lake Elsinore (Padres) beat Bakersfield (Rangers) 8-2. Hunter has hits in 25 of his past 26 games and has been ridiculous since July 1. Since then, the 20-year-old center fielder has 88 hits in 129 at-bats and 23 extra-base hits, including six home runs this month, and 39 of his 80 RBIs.

Prospect Nuggets

Left fielder Bobby Felmy generated four RBIs on two hits, and catcher Jackson Williams had two hits, two runs scored and three RBIs as San Jose (Giants) took a step closer to winning the second-half North Division by rallying for an 11-8 win against High Desert (Mariners). … Center fielder Jason Place was 2-for-5 out of the leadoff spot, hitting a solo home run, as Lancaster (Red Sox) beat Modesto (Rockies) 5-4. Place’s home run was his 16th of the season … [...] Continue Reading »

Florida State League

Prospect of the Day

On a night of dominant pitching throughout the high Class A leagues, Fort Myers’ Alex Burnett tore through the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Thursday night as the righthander struck out 10 over six innings and led the Twins’ affiliate to an 8-1 win.
Burnett allowed just five hits, including left fielder Justin Justice’s home run. It was Burnett’s first win since July 28. He is 8-5, 3.92 with 77 strikeouts and 34 walks.

Prospect Nuggets

Fort Myers DH Wilson Ramos had four hits while right fielder Edward Ovalle and third baseman Juan Portes combined for two doubles, a home run and triple. …Clearwater (Phillies) righthander Darren Byrd (3-7, 5.11) pitched eight innings, working around eight hits and a walk, in a 7-3 win against Sarasota (Reds) on a night when left fielder Michael Taylor had three RBIs, including a two-run home run. … [...] Continue Reading »

California League

Prospect of the Day

Padres 2006 third-round pick Cedric Hunter extended his hitting streak to 22 games on Wednesday as the Lake Elsinore center fielder had two hits. He also drove in a run and scored once. Hunter is hitting .322/.365/.444 for the season with 10 home runs, 30 doubles and 76 RBIs.

Prospect Nuggets

Jaime Pedroza had two hits, including a leadoff double that kick-started a three-run seventh, as Inland Empire (Dodgers) beat Lake Elsinore 5-3. The double was Pedroza’s 29th this season. … Lancaster’s Blake Maxwell (5-7) fired seven dominating innings, flashing pinpoint control as he struck out four, worked around five hits and did not issue a walk in his team’s 5-0 win at Bakersfield. Ryan Kaylish had a two-run  home run in the first and Yamaico Navarro had two hits and two runs scored. … Michael Anton prevented Jesse English from becoming the California League leader in wins as Anton pitched 6.1 innings, allowing one run despite allowing seven hits as Rancho Cucamonga beat San Jose 5-1. It was Anton’s third win in as many starts. English struck out eight but allowed four runs, all earned, on six hits and lasted just five innings. … James McCowen had three hits out of the leadoff spot, and James Davenport had two doubles in a 7-2 High Desert win against Visalia. … Jay Cox had three hits and shortstop Angel Cabrera had two hits in Modesto’s 5-4, 11-inning win against Stockton. Jose Fragoso’s wild pitch allowed Nick Haley to score the winning run.
[...] Continue Reading »

California League

Prospect Of The Day

Lake Elsinore center fielder Cedric Hunter got a taste of the Double-A Texas League playoffs last year when the Padres sent their 2006 third-round pick to play a bench role for eventual champion San Antonio.
Hunter, in the California League all season, is making a case to get back to the TL. He extended his hitting streak to 21 games on Tuesday with a four-hit game that included his ninth home run of the season.
Hunter, 20, also scored another run and stole a base in an 8-6 win against Rancho Cucamonga.
Since July 1, he is hitting .351 (72-for-205) with 28 runs scored, five home runs, 12 doubles, three triples and 34 RBIs. [...] Continue Reading »

California Leauge

Prospect Of The Day

Rancho Cucamonga’s (Angels) Hank Conger is taking full advantage of not enduring the wear and tear of catching every day. As the DH yesterday, he was 3-for-5 with a double, three runs scored and an RBI, leading the Quakes to a 10-6 victory.

Prospect Nuggets

Center fielder Peter Bourjos also chipped in for the Quakes. He was 2-for-5 with a double and run scored…Lake Elsinore (Padres) second baseman Eric Sogard was 2-for-4 with two runs scored in the loss to Rancho Cucamonga…Stockton righthanders Henry Rodriguez and Craig Italiano have pitched exclusively out of the bullpen lately. Italiano pitched two innings yesterday, allowing just one walk and striking out three. Rodriguez also went two innings and struck out three. [...] Continue Reading »

California League

Prospect Of The Day

Stockton (Athletics) center fielder Corey Brown helped his team to a 6-3 win over Bakersfield (Rangers). Brown was 3-for-4 with two home runs and three RBIs. His average is up to .268 and he now has 13 home runs on the season.

Prospect Nuggets

Rancho Cucamonga (Angels) blew out Lake Elsinore (Padres) 12-2 behind strong performances by righthander Jordan Walden, catcher Hank Conger and center fielder Peter Bourjos. Walden threw five innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and three walks. He struck out five and improved to 3-2, 4.60. Conger was 1-for-4 with his ninth home run, a three-run shot in the first inning. Bourjos was 2-for-5 with a double, two runs and two RBIs…San Jose (Giants) righthander Kevin Pucetas saw his streak of perfection come to an end yesterday. He fell to 10-1, 2.73 after allowing five runs on seven hits in six innings. He walked just one and struck out five. It was his first loss since Sept. 1, 2007. [...] Continue Reading »