The future of BluGrass Baseball

I’m proud to announce BluGrass Baseball is joining a new central Kentucky-focused news website called KyForward, which launched yesterday. I will be working full-time for KyForward as the website’s sports editor and will be bringing BluGrass Baseball with me. What does this mean for BluGrass Baseball readers? Your favorite BluGrass Baseball features, including the “Ky in the Minors” and “Ky in the Majors” databases, are moving to KyForward as well. I will still post daily baseball updates on the KyForward “Our Sports” page. That page will have a special category for BluGrass Baseball content, which can be accessed here. The BluGrass Baseball archive of posts published before May 1, 2011, will remain at http://www.bluegrassbaseball.wordpress.com. The BluGrass Baseball Twitter page will remain the place for up-to-the-minute breaking baseball news, but I encourage you to also follow my KyForward Twitter account, @jonkyforward, for other sports updates.

When I launched BluGrass Baseball almost two years ago, my goal was to fill a gaping hole in the media coverage of Kentucky baseball. It is that motivation that attracted me to KyForward, which hopes to fill the gaps in media coverage of all issues in central Kentucky. By moving to KyForward I will be able to devote my full effort to sports coverage. That means, in addition to the features you have become accustomed to from Bluegrass Baseball, I will be publishing in-depth stories about your favorite Kentucky baseball players and teams, including this one about Mount Sterling native Drew Lee. Baseball is not the only sport I will cover for KyForward, but you can expect to see the same level of baseball coverage there that BluGrass Baseball has made a name for.

I encourage you to become not just a regular reader of the KyForward sports coverage, but also the website’s coverage of all things Lexington and Central Kentucky. We boast an extremely talented staff that will cover the region in a way that has been lacking in the past. The KyForward team is committed to being your number one cyberspace stop for local news and information, interesting – even offbeat – stories well told, and overt “community-building.” You can see the early examples of the work you can come to expect from the website at http://www.KyForward.com. Beginning later this week, BluGrassBaseball.com will automatically re-direct you to the BluGrass Baseball posts on KyForward.

Jon Hale

BluGrass Baseball Founder

KyForward Sports Editor/Reporter

MiLB roundup: Bats, Legends, Hot Rods lose; Duvall homers; Lee has big night versus hometown team again

Minor League Baseball

Adam Duvall; BluGrass Baseball photo

Highlights from Monday Kentucky MiLB action:

The Louisville Bats scored six runs through eight innings but did not score again in a 7-6, 18-inning loss to Rochester. Left Fielder Yonder Alonso, batting leadoff, was 3-8 with two doubles, two RBI and one run scored.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods left 10 men on base in a 2-1 loss to Great Lakes. Left-handed pitcher C. J. Riefenhauser took the loss after surrendering two runs on four hits in four innings while striking out seven batters and walking two.
The Lexington Legends at one point trailed Kannapolis by seven runs but could not finish the comeback in a 9-6 loss. Right fielder Adam Bailey was 3-3 with two doubles, two walks and two runs scored.
Mount Sterling native and former Morehead St. infielder Drew Lee was 2-4 with one triple, one RBI and one run scored in the game for Kannapolis.
Louisville native and former UofL infielder Adam Duvall was 2-4 with one home run, two RBI and two runs scored for low A Augusta.
Former UK outfielder Lance Ray was 2-5 with two runs scored for low A Beloit.
Paducah native Daniel Webb took a loss after surrendering seven runs on 10 hits in five and two-third innings in a start for low A Lansing.
Former Madisonville resident Matt Klinker took a no decision after surrendering five runs on eight hits in five innings in a start for AA Carolina.

Kelley cuts simulated game short; Hart struggling since return from DL; Webb remains confident he will return to MLB

Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Shawn Kelley; Photo by mwlguide via Flickr

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

Greg Johns of MLB.com reports Louisville native Shawn Kelley, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, had to cut his simulated game short on Sunday due to tightness in his throwing elbow.
Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports there is nothing physically wrong with Bowling Green native Corey Hart contributing to his offensive struggles since returning from the disabled list.
Jack Magruder of Fox Sports Arizona reports Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb remains confident he will be a productive major leaguer again despite one scout’s proclamation that he is “done” following a rehabilitation appearance last week.
Mark Maloney of the Lexington Herald-Leader profiles Lexington Legends catcher Chris Wallace, who Legends manager Rodney Linares says probably deserves a promotion after his early-season performance.
Cash Kuth of MLB.com runs down some of the Kentucky major leaguers Kentucky Derby picks. Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere, North Hardin alum Nathan Adcock and St. X alum Trever Miller all missed on the winner, but Ballard alum Kelley appears to have picked the winner according to his Twitter account.

MiLB roundup: Bats win; Legends, Hot Rods lose; Carroll has three hits; Glad, Dominguez homer; Ross earns win

Minor League Baseball

Delino Deshields Jr.; BluGrass Baseball photo

Highlights from Sunday Kentucky MiLB action:

Offseason Louisville resident Matt Maloney earned his first AAA win of the season in leading the Louisville Bats to an 8-0 victory over Buffalo. Maloney surrendered four hits in seven shutout innings while striking out four batters and walking two. Third baseman Todd Frazier was 3-4 with two home runs, four RBI and three runs scored.
The Lexington Legends slugged three home runs and tallied 13 hits but still couldn’t avoid a 12-11 loss to Hagerstown. Second baseman Delino DeShields Jr. was 3-4 with one home run, one RBI and three runs scored. Right fielder Adam Bailey and left fielder Emilio King also homered. King has two home runs in two games for Lexington.
Louisville native Jason Chowning surrendered one run, his first of the season, on two hits in three innings of relief while striking out four batters and walking two for the Legends.
Great Lakes scored a single run in the bottom of the ninth inning to send the Bowling Green Hot Rods to a 3-2 loss. Right-handed pitcher George Jensen took a no decision after surrendering two runs on three hits in five innings while striking out three batters and walking two.
Lexington native Robbie Ross earned his fourth win of the season after surrendering one run on four hits in six innings while striking out six batters and walking two.
Former UK outfielder Sawyer Carroll was 3-4 with two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored for AA San Antonio.
Former UofL left-handed pitcher Justin Marks took a no decision after surrendering two runs on six hits in seven innings while striking out one batter and walking four.
Making his second start in affiliated ball, former UK left-handed pitcher James Paxton took a no decision after surrendering two runs, one of which was earned, on five hits in five innings while striking out three batters and walking four for low A Clinton.
Former EKU left-handed pitcher Christian Friedrich took a no decision after surrendering three runs on six hits in five innings while striking out four batters and walking one.
Former UofL third baseman Chris Dominguez slugged his seventh home run of the season for high A San Jose.
Former UK infielder Gunner Glad slugged his second home run of the season for low A Beloit.
Former UK left-handed pitcher Logan Darnell took a loss after surrendering five runs on six hits in four and two-third innings in a start for low A Beloit.
Former UK outfielder turned second baseman Jason Kipnis, who transferred to Arizona St. before the draft, was 3-4 with one double, one RBI and one run scored for AAA Columbus.

MiLB roundup: Bats, Legends win; Hot Rods lose; Keenan Wiley and Jonathan Roof have three hits; Townsend homers

Minor League Baseball

Chris Wallace; BluGrass Baseball photo

Highlights from Saturday Kentucky MiLB action:

The Louisville Bats scored two runs in the first inning and rode a strong pitching performance from left-handed pitcher Tom Cochran to a 3-1 win over Buffalo. Cochran improved to 4-0 on the season after surrendering three hits in six shutout innings while striking out four batters and walking three.
The Lexington Legends held off a late rally in an 8-6 win over Hagerstown. Designated hitter Chris Wallace was 2-4 with one home run, one RBI and two runs scored, and center fielder Emilio King was 3-5 with one home run, two RBI and two runs scored in his Legends debut.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods outhit Great Lakes 6-4 but could not avoid a 3-2 loss. Third baseman Robby Price was 2-3 with one RBI and one run scored.
Richmond native and former UK outfielder Keenan Wiley was 3-3 with one RBI for high A Lynchburg.
Paducah native Jonathan Roof was 3-4 with one double and one RBI for low A Hickory.
Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer was 2-4 with one double and two runs scored for AA Jackson.
Hawesville native and former WKU infielder Wade Gaynor was 2-4 with one double and one RBI for high A Lakeland.
London native Jon Townsend homered and drove in two runs in his return from the disabled list for high A Inland Empire.
Highland Heights native and former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke earned his second save since his demotion to AAA after recording the final two outs of AAA Tacoma’s win.
Former Murray St. right-handed pitcher Mike Perconte earned his third win of the season after recording one out for AA Frisco.

MiLB roundup: Hot Rods win; Bats, Legends lose; Jake Shaffer, Josh Richmond homer; Chaz Roe takes a loss

Minor League Baseball

Ryan Strieby; Photo via Flickr by mwlguide

Highlights from Friday Kentucky MiLB action:

The Bowling Green Hot Rods jumped out to an early lead and added three insurance runs in the seventh inning in a 6-3 win over Lake County. Catcher Lucas Bailey was 2-4 with one home run, one RBI and two runs scored.
The Louisville Bats tallied just five hits in a 4-0 loss to Buffalo. Right-handed pitcher Chad Reineke took the loss after surrendering four runs on six hits in six innings while striking out one batter and walking two.
Left-handed pitcher Mike Foltynewicz fell to 0-5 on the season after a 5-2 loss to Hagerstown. Foltynewicz surrendered three runs on eight hits in five innings while striking out four batters and walking two.
Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer was 2-4 with one home run, four RBIs and one run scored for AA Jackson.
Former UofL outfielder Josh Richmond was 2-4 with one home run, three RBIs and one run scored for low A Hickory.
Former UK left-handed pitcher Andrew Albers took a no decision in his first start of the season for high A Fort Meyers after surrendering three runs on six hits in four innings while striking out two batters and walking two.
Former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby was 2-5 with two doubles, one walk and one run scored for AAA Toledo.
Former UofL third baseman Chris Dominguez was 2-6 with two runs scored for high A San Jose.
St. Mary’s alum Shawn Roof was 2-3 with one walk and one RBI for low AA Hickory.
Former UofL left-handed pitcher Zach Jackson, who transferred to Texas A&M before the draft, took a no decision after surrendering three runs on eight hits in six innings while striking out two batters while walking one.
Lexington native Chaz Roe took a loss after surrendering five runs on nine hits in six innings while striking out eight batters and walking two.

MiLB roundup: Wunderlich HR leads Hot Rods to win; Bats, Legends lose; Arnold has three hits; Strieby, Shelby homer

Minor League Baseball

Jeff Arnold; BluGrass Baseball photo

Highlights from Thursday Kentucky MiLB action:

The Bowling Green Hot Rods scored a single run in the ninth inning to earn a 9-8 win over Lake County. Former UofL infielder Phil Wunderlich was 3-5 with one home run, one RBI and three runs scored, and shortstop Derek Dietrich was 2-4 with one home run, five RBIs and two runs scored.
The Louisville Bats blew a ninth-inning lead in a 6-5 loss to Buffalo. Shortstop Zach Cozart was 3-4 with one home run, one RBIs and one run scored, and third baseman Todd Frazier was 3-4 with two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored.
The Lexington Legends and Hagerstown Suns each tallied 11 hits, but the Legends left 11 men on base in an 8-2 loss. First baseman Tyler Burnett was 3-4 with one RBI and one run scored.
Louisville native and former UofL catcher Jeff Arnold was 2-4 with one double, two RBI and two runs scored for low A Augusta.
Former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby slugged his fourth home run and drove in two runs for AAA Toledo.
Former Kentucky Wesleyan right-handed pitcher Cory Wade earned his first win of the season with a scoreless inning of relief for AAA Durham and boasts a 1.00 ERA in 18 innings in 2011.
Danville native Patrick Cooper earned his first win of the season with two scoreless innings of relief for low A West Michigan
Former UK infielder Gunner Glad was 2-4 with one double, two RBIs and one run scored for low A Beloit.
Lexington native and former UK outfielder John Shelby slugged his fourth home run of the season for AA Montgomery.
Former UK infielder Chris Bisson drove in three runs for low A Fort Wayne.
Former UK left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin took a no decision after surrendering four runs on five hits in five innings while striking out six batters and walking two for AA Tennessee.
Louisville native and former Bellarmine right-handed pitcher Todd Wellemeyer took the loss in his season debut, surrendering four runs on eight hits in three and two-third innings for AAA Iowa.

MiLB roundup: Hot Rods lose; Bison and Gaynor homer

Minor League Baseball

Chris Bisson; Photo: UK Athletics

Highlights from Wednesday Kentucky minor league baseball action:

The Bowling Green Hot Rods tallied just one hit in a 4-0 lossto Lake County. Left-handed pitcher C. J. Riefenhauser took the loss after surrendering three runs on six hits in five and one-third innings.
Former UK infielder Chris Bisson was 3-4 with one home run, one RBI and one run scored for low A Fort Wayne.
Richmond native and former UK outfielder Keenan Wiley was 2-3 an has multiple hits in three straight games for high A Lynchburg.
Hawesville native and former WKU infielder Wade Gaynor slugged his third home run of the season for high A Lakeland.
Paducah native Daniel Webb earned his third consecutive winafter surrendering two runs on five hits in five and one-third innings while striking out eight batters and walking one in a start for low A Lansing.

Cowgill, Ross win April Ky MiLB awards

Minor League Baseball

Colling Cowgill; Photo: UK Athletics

In the final minor league April awards post we’ll look at the best hitting and pitching performances from Kentucky alumni in MiLB:

Hitter of the month: OF Collin Cowgill

Stats: .387 (29-75), 4 HR, 13 RBI, 20 R, 5 SB
Honorable Mention: John Shelby, Ryan Strieby, Sawyer Carroll, Chris Dominguez, Jake Shaffer, Jon Townsend, Tyler Kuhn

Pitcher of the month: LHP Robbie Ross

Stats: 2-1, 2.61 ERA, 17 SO/8 BB, 20.2 IP
Honorable Mention: Andrew Albers, Logan Darnell, B. J. Rosenberg, Cory Wade, Marty Popham, Jason Chowning

MiLB roundup: Legends, Hot Rods sweep DHs; Bats lose two; Darnell, Friedrich, Ross, Klinker earn wins

Minor League Baseball

Delino Deshields Jr. slugs home run Tuesday; KyForward photo by Jon Hale

Highlights from Tuesday Kentucky MiLB action:

In the completion of a game suspended in the third inning on Monday the Lexington Legends exploded for 11 runs over four innings in a 15-2 win over Augusta. First baseman Tyler Burnett, designated hitter Delino Deshields Jr. and right fielder Adam Bailey each homered in the game for Lexington.
The Legends continued their hot hitting with a five-run first inning in game two of the double-header and held on for an 8-4 win over the GreenJackets to move into first place in the South Atlantic League South. Deshields was 2-3 with one triple and two runs scored in game two.
Louisville natives and former UofL catcher Jeff Arnold slugged his second home run of the season in game two for Augusta. Louisville native and former UofL infielder Adam Duvall was 2-4 with one double and one run scored in game one for the GreenJackets.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods used two three-run innings to earn a 6-2 win over Dayton in game one of a double-header. Former UofL infielder Phil Wunderlich was 3-3 with one home run, one RBI and three runs scored for the Hot Rods.
In game two of the double-header Hot Rods pitchers held Dayton to just two hits in a 6-0 win. Right-handed pitcher George Jensen earned the win after surrendering two hits in five scoreless innings while striking out three batters and walking none. Shortstop Derek Dietrich was 3-3 with one double, one home run, three RBI and two runs scored.
In game one of a double-header the Louisville Bats tallied just four hits in a 4-0 loss to Norfolk. Two-time National League All-Star Dontrelle Willis surrendered suffered his first loss of the season after surrendering four runs on seven hits in six innings while striking out 10 batters and walking one.
The Bats broke through on the scoreboard in the second game of the double-header but still dropped a 2-1 decision to the Tides. Offseason Louisville resident Matt Maloney surrendered one run on six hits in five and one-third innings while striking out five batters and walking none but had to settle for a no decision.
Mount Sterling native and former Morehead St. infielder Drew Lee slugged his fourth home run of the season for low A Kannapolis.
Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer was 2-3 with one home run, one RBI and two runs scored for AA Jackson.
Richmond native and former UK outfielder Keenan Wiley was 2-4 with one RBI, two runs scored and one stolen base for high A Lynchburg.
Former UK left-handed pitcher Logan Darnell improved to 2-1 on the season after surrendering three runs on six hits in six innings while striking out five batters and walking one for low A Beloit.
Former EKU left-handed pitcher Christian Friedrich improved to 2-2 on the season after surrendering one run on five hits in five and two-third innings while striking out four batters and walking one for AA Tulsa.
Louisville native Tyler Kuhn was 2-4 with one double, one RBI and one run scored for AA Birmingham.
Former Madisonville resident Matt Klinker earned his first AA win after surrendering two hits in five shutout innings while striking out four batters and walking two for AA Carolina.
One-time UK outfielder turned second baseman Jason Kipnis, who transferred to Arizona St. before being drafted, was 2-4 with one double, three RBI and one run scored for AAA Columbus.
Lexington native Robbie Ross posted his second straight poor start but still earned a win after surrendering five runs on eight hits in six innings while striking out four batters and walking none for high A Myrtle Beach.
PLD alum A. J. Ellis was 2-4 with one double and one RBI for AAA Albuquerque.