Eric Roof

MiLB roundup: Legends, Hot Rods win; Bats lose; Cowgill still hot; Duvall, Dominguez homer; Payton has 3-hit debut

College Baseball

Colling Cowgill; Photo: UK Athletics

Highlights from Sunday Kentucky MiLB baseball:

  • The Lexington Legends held off a late rally in a 5-4 win over Augusta. Designated hitter Michael Kvasnicka was 3-4  with two RBI, and shortstop Jiovanni Mier was 2-4 with two doubles and two runs scored.
  • Louisville native and former UofL infielder Adam Duvall slugged his fourth home run of the season for Augusta. Louisville native Jason Chowning was credited with a hold for Lexington after pitching two scoreless innings of relief.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods used a quality start from right-handed pitcher Victor Mateo to earn a 5-2 win over Dayton. Mateo improved to 2-2 on the season after surrendering two runs on three hits in six innings while striking out six batters and walking none.
  • The Louisville Bats blew surrendered three runs after the sixth inning in a 5-2 loss to Norfolk. Left fielder Yonder Alonso was 2-3 with one home run, two RBI and one run scored.
  • Lexington native and former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a 2-4 performance for AAA Reno. Cowgill posted his eighth multi-hit game during the streak and is batting .392 on the season with four home runs, 14 RBI and 21 runs scored.
  • Hawesville native and former WKU infielder Wade Gaynor was 4-5 with two doubles, one triple and three runs scored for high A Lakeland.
  • Former UK left-handed pitcher Andrew Albers earned his second win of the season with four and two-third scoreless innings of relief for high A Fort Myers.
  • Louisville native and former WKU infielder Matt Payton made his season debut for high A Clearwater and was 3-4 with two runs scored.
  • Former UofL infielder Chris Dominguez slugged his sixth home run of the season for high A San Jose.
  • Lexington native and former UK outfielder John Shelby was 2-4 with one run scored for AA Montgomery.
  • One-time UK infielder turned outfielder Jason Kipnis, who transferred to Arizona St., was 2-4 with one double, one walk, one RBI and two runs scored.
  • Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere was 2-5 with one run scored for AAA Rochester.
  • Paducah native Eric Roof was 2-4 with one double, two RBI two runs scored and two walks.

Spring roundup: Rauch, Clippard post scoreless innings

Major League Baseball

Jon Rauch; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Stats and recaps from Saturday Kentucky Spring Training action:

  • Louisville native and former Morehead St. right-handed pitcher Jon Rauch was credited with a win after surrendering one hit in a scoreless inning for the Toronto Blue Jays.
  • PLD alum A. J. Ellis appeared as a defensive replacement at catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers but did not record an at-bat.
  • After being added to the MLB roster for the game Paducah native Eric Roof appeared at catcher as a defense replacement for the Detroit Tigers.
  • Atlanta Braves left-handed pitcher Jonny Venters, who was born in Pikeville, surrendered one unearned run in one inning versus the Mets.
  • Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Tyler Clippard, who was born in Lexington, pitched a scoreless inning versus the Phillies.
  • Baltimore Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds, who was born in Pikeville, was 1-3 with a walk versus the Rays.

MiLB Roundup: Hot Rods win; Bats, Legends fall; Rowland’s streak at 7 games; Lee, Roof homer; Little promoted

Minor League Baseball

Richie Rowland; Photo: Campbellsville University

Highlights from Wednesday Kentucky Minor League action:

  • The Louisville Bats lost a heart-breaker 5-4 to the Durham Bulls on a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the tenth inning. Bats first baseman Yonder Alonso was 3-5 in the game.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods recorded their second 2-0 shutout in 10 games with a win over the Lansing Lugnuts. Right-handed pitcher Alexander Colome held the Lugnuts scoreless through six and two-third innings while striking out six batters, and third baseman Julio Cedeno was 2-3 with a run scored, RBI and stolen base.
  • Lexington Legends ace and Houston Astros 2009 second-round pick  Tanner Bushue recorded his wort start to-date in a 7-4 loss to the Hickory Crawdads. Bushue surrendered seven runs in just four and one-third innings.
  • Former Campbellsville University catcher Richie Rowland extended his hitting streak to seven games and with a 2-4, two-run-scored performance for the rookie-level Missoula Osprey. In eight professional games, Rowland is batting .538 with five RBI and five runs scored.
  • Former UK outfielder Lance Ray was 2-4 with two doubles and one run scored for the rookie-level Elizabethon Twins and is 5-11 over the last two games.
  • Former UK closer Matt Little has been promoted to the low A West Michigan Whitecaps where he pitched one and one-third scoreless innings with one strikeout in his debut.
  • Former WKU third baseman Wade Gaynor was 2-5 with two RBI and two runs scored in that same game for the Whitecaps.
  • Former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer posted his third consecutive three-hit performance for the high A High Desert Mavericks and is 9-12 with four runs scored over that span.
  • Former NKU left-handed pitcher and 2010 draftee Jarrett Casey picked up his second save in three appearances for the rookie-level Bristol White Sox with three scoreless innings.
  • In that same game former Morehead St. shortstop Drew Lee was 2-5 with his first professional home run, four RBI and one run scored for the White Sox.
  • Paducah native Daniel Webb took the loss for the short-season Auburn Doubledays after surrendering three runs in five and two-third innings. He struck out four and walked one.
  • Paducah native Eric Roof was 2-5 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored for the short-season Connecticut Tigers.
  • In that same game Danville native Patrick Cooper made his professional debut with a scoreless inning pitched for the Tigers. He struck out two.

All-NAIA team; Spring Training invitations update

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Some early evening notes to pass along, including a Kentucky small college honor and Spring Training invitation updates:

  • John Manuel of Baseball America picks Campbellsville University first baseman Brian Chase for the All NAIA team in the small college preview. (Subscription required)
  • Paducah-native Eric Roof has earned a non-roster invitation to Spring Training from the Detroit Tigers.
  • Here’s the updated list of Cincinnati Reds non-roster invitees, including several Louisville Bats.
  • Baseball America reports in its minor league transactions update, the Giants have released Lexington-native Adam Witter.
  • Mark Sheldon of MLB.com recaps the Reds’ caravan stop in Louisville.