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: 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.

Derek Dietrich, C.J. Riefenhauser win April Hot Rods’ awards

Minor League Baseball

During the Minor League baseball season, BluGrass Baseball named a hitter and pitcher of the month for each of the state’s three MiLB teams and the group of Kentucky alumni in the minors. Check out the first April awards post below as we look at the best performances from the Bowling Green Hot Rods:

Hitter of the month: SS Derek Dietrich

Stats: 18-62 (.290), 3 HR, 11 RBI, 12 R
Honorable Mention: Lucas Bailey, Nicholas Schwaner

Pitcher of the month: LHP C. J. Riefenhauser

Stats: 2-1, 4 G, 2.74 ERA, 23 SO/7 BB, 23 IP
Honorable Mention: Chris Rearick, Omar Bencomo, Austin Hubbard

MiLB roundup: Bats, Legends win; Hot Rods split DH; Webb, Darnell earn wins; Clark, Shaffer, Ray homer

Minor League Baseball

Logan Darnell; BluGrass Baseball photo

Highlights from Saturday Kentucky MiLB action:

The Louisville Bats scored four runs in the eighth inning to earn a 6-4 win over Toledo. Left fielder Todd Frazier was 2-4 with one home run, five RBI and one run scored.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods held Lake County to just one hit in a 1-0 win over the Captains in game one of a double-header. Left-handed pitcher C. J. Riefenhauser earned the win after surrendering one hit in six and one-third scoreless innings while striking out two batters and walking three.
In game two of the double-header the Hot Rods’ pitching was not nearly as good as game one in a 14-4 loss to Lake County. Shortstop Derek Dietrich was 2-3 with one double, one RBI and one run scored.
The Lexington Legends broke a 7-7 tie with a single run in the eighth inning to earn an 8-7 win over Savannah. Shortstop Jiovanni Mier slugged his second home run of the season, and designated hitter Chris Wallace continued his hot hitting with a 3-4 performance.
Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer extended his hitting streak to nine games with a home run for AA Jackson.
Paducah native Daniel Webb earned his first win of the season after surrendering one unearned run on four hits in seven innings while striking out two batters and walking two for low A Lansing.
Former UofL first baseman Andrew Clark was 2-5 with one home run, four RBI and one run scored for low A Hickory.
Former UofL outfielder Josh Richmond was 3-5 with two doubles and two runs scored for Hickory.
Mt. Sterling native and former Morehead St. infielder Drew Lee was 2-3 with two RBI and one run scored in his season debut for low A Kannapolis.
Lexington native and former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill was 2-5 with one double and one run scored for AAA Reno.
Former UK outfielder Lance Ray slugged his second home run of the season for low A Beloit.
Former UK left-handed pitcher Logan Darnell earned his first win of the season after surrendering two runs on three hits in five and one-third innings while striking out two batters and walking one in a start for Beloit.
Lexington native and former UK infielder Michael Bertram was 2-3 with one double and one run scored for AA Erie.

MiLB roundup: Bats win; Legends lose; Wunderlich’s walk-off grand slam gives Hot Rods win; Dominguez slugs 2 HRs

Minor League Baseball

Chris Dominguez; UofL Photo

Highlights from Friday Kentucky MiLB action:

The Louisville Bats won their eighth consecutive game with a 3-0 win over Indianapolis. Two-time National League All-Star Dontrelle Willis earned the win after surrendering five hits in six shutout innings while striking out six batters and walking two.
Former UofL third baseman Phil Wunderlich slugged a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 10th inning to send the Bowling Green Hot Rods to an 11-7 win over Lake County. The blast was Wunderlich’s first home run of the season. Shortstop Derek Dietrich was 3-5 with one home run, three RBI and four runs scored.
The Lexington Legends dropped a 2-1 decision to Asheville in a rain-shortened five inning game. Left-handed pitcher Brad Dydalewicz took the loss after surrendering two runs, one of which was earned, on five hits in four and one-third innings while striking out two batters and walking one.
Former UofL infielder Chris Dominguez slugged two home runs and drove in four runs for high A San Jose.
Lafayette High School alum Chaz Roe took a no decision after surrendering three runs, two of which were earned, on five hits in six innings while striking out five batters and walking one for AAA Tacoma.
One-time UK outfielder turned second baseman Jason Kipnis, who transferred to Arizona St., was 3-5 with one double, one RBI and two stolen bases for AAA Columbus.
Former UofL left-handed pitcher Justin Marks took a no decision after surrendering four runs on seven hits in six innings while striking out five batters and walking two for high A Wilmington.
Former UofL first baseman Andrew Clark was 2-4 with one double and one run scored for low A Hickory.
Former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby was 2-4 with one RBI for AAA Toledo.

MiLB roundup: Bats sweep DH; Hot Rods split DH; Legends lose; Duvall homers; Cox, Revere have three hits

Minor League Baseball

Ben Revere; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Highlights from Tuesday Kentucky MiLB action:

The Louisville Bats swept a double-header versus Columbus with a 4-2 win in game one and a 5-4 win in game two. Right fielder Jeremy Hermida was 3-3 with one home run, one RBI and two runs scored in game one, and second baseman Chris Valaikia was 3-4 with two RBI in game two.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods split a double-header versus Fort Wayne with a 4-0 loss in game one and a 1-0 win in game two. Left-handed pitcher C. J. Riefenhauser surrendered one run on three hits in five innings while striking out seven batters and walking two in his start in game one but took a loss. Three Hot Rods pitcher surrendered just four hits in game two, and shortstop Derek Dietrich plated the only run with a solo home run.
The Lexington Legends held 2010 No. 1 pick Bryce Harper hitless but still dropped a 5-1 loss to Hagerstown. Center fielder Daniel Adamson was 3-4 with one double, one triple and one run scored, and Eastern High School alum Jason Chowning pitched two scoreless innings of relief for the Legends.
Louisville native and former UofL infielder Adam Duvall was 2-5 with one home run, two RBI and one run scored for low A Augusta.
Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere was 3-4 with one run scored and one stolen base for AAA Rochester.
Louisville native Zack Cox was 3-5 with one RBI for high A Palm Beach.
LCA alum Robbie Ross surrendered two hits in four scoreless innings while striking out five batters and walking two in a start for high A Myrtle Beach.
Former Ky. Wesleyan right-handed pitcher Cory Wade posted his third scoreless two-inning appearance of the season and struck out three batters for AAA Durham.
Louisville native and former Union College right-handed pitcher Marty Popham struck out six batters in three and one-third scoreless innings for AA Kinston.

Phil Wunderlich headlines Hot Rods’ Opening Day roster

Minor League Baseball

The Bowling Green Hot Rods have released the team’s 2011 Opening Day roster, which is headlined by a former UofL slugger. Check out the roster below with the town where the player resides and information about how he was acquired by the Rays:

Pitchers

RHP Jairo De La Rosa — Santo Domingo, DR — FA (2002)
RHP Nate Garcia — San Jose, Cal. — 16th round (2010)
RHP Stephen Hiscock — Beacon Falls, Conn. — FA (2010)
RHP Austin Hubbard — Auburn, Ala. — 14th round (2010)
RHP George Jensen — Eagen, Minn. — 46th round (2010)
RHP William Kline — Belden, Miss. — 2nd round (2007)
LHP Braulio Lara — San Pedro de Macoris, DR — FA (2008)
RHP Victor Mateo — Santo Domingo, DR — FA (2006)
LHP Jimmy Patterson — Tempe, Ariz. — 18th round (2010)
LHP Chris Rearick — Pooler, Ga. — 41st round (2010)
LHP C. J. Riefenhauser — Mahopac, N.Y. — 20th round (2010)
RHP Wilking Rodriguez — Puerto Cabello, VZ — FA 2007
LHP Enny Romero — Santo Domingo, DR — FA 2008
LHP Matthew Stabelfield — Turlock, Cal. — 41st round (2009)
RHP Eliazer Suero — Haina, DR — FA 2007

Catchers

Lucas Bailey — LaGrange, Ga. — 4th round (2009)
Kyle Holloway — Deerfield Beach, Fla. — FA (2001)
Alejandro Torres — Caracas, VZ — FA (2006)

Infielders

Phil Wunderlich — Louisville, Ky. — 12th round (2010)
Derek Dietrich — Clermont, Fla. — 2nd round (2010)
Robi Estrada — El Segundo, Cal. — 19th round (2006)
Hector Guevara — San Felix, VZ — FA (2008)

Outfielders

Todd Glaesmann — Woodway, Tex. — 3rd round (2009)
Kevin Klermaier — Ft. Wayne, Ind. — 31st round (2010)
Cody Rogers — White Oak, Tex. — 7th round (2009)
Nick Schwaner — Slidell, La. — 30th round (2010)