MiLB roundup: Bats, Hot Rods win; Jeff Arnold vs. Legends; Rusin post quality start; Cowgil, Shaffer streaking

Minor League Baseball

Jeff Arnold; UofL Sports wallpaper

Highlights from Saturday Kentucky MiLB action:

The Louisville Bats tallied 14 hits in a 10-1 win over Norfolk. Shortstop Zack Cozart was 5-5 with four doubles, one home run, three RBI and two runs scored. Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Homer Bailey surrendered one run on five hits in six and one-third innings in a rehab appearance.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods tallied eight hits in a 2-0 win over Great Lakes. Left-handed pitcher Enny Romero took a no decision after surrendering four hits in five shutout innings while striking out seven batters and walking four. Right-handed pitcher Omar Bencomo earned the win with three shutout innings of relief.
Louisville native and former UofL catcher Jeff Arnold slugged a home run, drove in two runs and scored twice to lead Augusta to a 5-1 win over the Lexington Legends. First baseman Tyler Burnett was 2-3 with one run scored.
Lexington native and former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill extended hits hitting streak to nine games for AAA Reno with a 2-5 performance. Cowgill had a triple, one RBI and two runs scored and has multiple hits in seven of his last eight games.
Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a 2-4 performance for AA Jackson.
Former UK left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin took a no decision after surrendering three runs on eight hits in six innings while striking out four batters and walking none.
Former UofL infielder Chris Dominguez was 3-4 with one run scored for High A San Jose.
Former UofL outfielder Josh Richmond was 2-4 with one home run, one RBI and two runs scored for low A Hickory.
Lexington native and former UK infielder Michael Bertram was 2-3 with one double, one RBI and one run scored for AA Erie.
Former UK outfielder Sawyer Carroll was 2-3 with one walk and two runs scored for AA San Antonio.
One-time UofL left-handed pitcher Zach Jackson, who transferred to Texas A&M, took a no decision after surrendering four runs on six hits in six and one-third innings while striking out four batters and walking one.

MiLB roundup: Bats win; Jake Shaffer streak hits 10 games; Collin Cowgill, Seth Bynum homer; Rusin takes no decision

Minor League Baseball

Colling Cowgill; Photo: UK Athletics

Highlights from Sunday Kentucky MiLB action:

The Louisville Bats received a strong start from rehabbing Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Homer Bailey and pounded out 13 hits in a 9-0 win over Toledo. Bailey surrendered three hits in five and one-third shutout innings while striking out six batters and walking one. Designated hitter Yonder Alonso, first baseman Eric Eymann and second baseman Kris Negron each homered in the game.
Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer extended his hitting streak to 10 games and was 3-6 with one double, two RBI and two runs scored for AA Jackson. Shaffer is batting .368 with three home runs, 10 RBI and 13 runs scored on the season.
Lexington native and former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill was 2-5 with one triple, one home run, one RBI and two runs scored for AAA Reno.
Former UK left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin took a no decision after surrendering three runs, two of which were earned, on seven hits in five innings while striking out three batters and walking one for AA Tennessee.
Louisville native Seth Bynum slugged his second home run of the season for AAA Syracuse.
Trinity alum Tyler Kuhn was 2-4 with one double, one triple, one RBI, one walk and two runs scored for AA Birmingham.

MiLB Roundup: Two Legends slug three HRs in win; Bats, Hot Rods win; Shelby, Wunderlich, Roof homer; Ross wins

Minor League Baseball

John Shelby; Photo: UK Athletics

Highlights from Sunday Kentucky MiLB action:

The Lexington Legends had a rare offensive outburst in an 18-9 win over Asheville. Both catcher Chris Wallace and designated hitter Telvin Nash each slugged three home runs. Wallace was 5-6 with nine RBI and four runs scored, and Nash was 5-6 with four RBI and four runs scored.
The Louisville Bats returned to its winning ways with a 6-4, 13-inning victory over Indianapolis. Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Homer Bailey surrendered two hits in five scoreless innings in a rehab appearance for the Bats. Second baseman Kris Negron was 3-5 with one double and two runs scored, and outfielder Brian Barton slugged a home run.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods rallied for a 7-6 win over Lake County. Former UofL infielder Phil Wunderlich was 2-4 with one home run, one double, three RBI and one run scored. Left fielder Cody Rogers and second baseman Hector Guevara both homered.
LCA alum Robbie Ross earned his first win of the season after surrendering four hits in six shutout innings while striking out four batters and walking three for high A Myrtle Beach.
Lexington native and former UK outfielder John Shelby was 2-4 with one home run, one RBI and one run scored for AA Montgomery.
Former UofL outfielder Josh Richmond was 2-4 with two doubles, two runs scored, one walk and one stolen base for low A Hickory.
Former UofL first baseman Andrew Clark was 2-4 with one RBI, one walk and one run scored for low A Hickory.
Hawesville native and former WKU infielder Wade Gaynor extended his hitting streak to six games with a single and two RBI for high A Lakeland.
Paducah native Jonathan Roof slugged his first professional home run and scored twice for low A Hickory.

Reds, former Bats swept by Phillies; Conrad has terrible game; Rauch, Twins eliminated by Kearns, Yankees

Major League Baseball

Homer Bailey; Picture from Wikimedia Commons

Bluegrass state highlights from weekend playoff action and latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

The Cincinnati Reds short playoff appearance came to an end with a 2-0 loss to the Phillies on Sunday. Former Louisville Bats pitchers Homer Bailey, Bill Bray and Aroldis Chapman, all of whom pitched for Louisville in 2010, combined for three and one-third scoreless innings in the game three loss.
Former Lexington Legend Brooks Conrad had a miserable game for the Atlanta Braves with three errors. Conrad’s final error in the ninth inning let in the winning run in the Giants’ 3-2 loss. Braves left-handed pitcher Jonny Venters struck out the side in a scoreless inning but did surrender two hits.
Former Morehead St. right-handed pitcher Jon Rauch and the Minnesota Twins were eliminated from the playoffs with a 6-1 loss to the Yankees on Saturday. Lexington native and Yankees outfielder Austin Kearns did not appear in the series, which New York swept in three games.

Kentuckians in MLB Playoffs

Major League Baseball

The playoffs are officially underway with the Texas Rangers up 4-0 on Tampa Bay at the time of this posting. The playoffs aren’t without plenty of Kentucky connections as every team except the Giants has a player with Bluegrass State connections. Check out the list of Kentucky natives and former minor league players participating in the playoffs below:

Cincinnati Reds (NL Central)

Edison Volquez — Louisville Bats (2010)*
Johnny Cueto — Louisville Bats (2007)
Aroldis Chapman — Louisville Bats (2010)
Logan Ondrusek — Louisville Bats (2008, 09, 10)
Bill Bray — Louisville Bats (2007, 08, 09, 10)
Homer Bailey — Louisville Bats (2007, 08, 09, 10)
Travis Wood — Louisville Bats (2009, 2010)
Joey Votto — Louisville Bats (2007)
Jay Bruce — Louisville Bats (2007, 08, 09)
Drew Stubbs — Louisville Bats (2008, 09)
Jonny Gomes — Louisville Bats (2009)
Ryan Hanigan — Louisville Bats (2003, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10)
Chris Heisey — Louisville Bats (2009)
Paul Janish — Louisville Bats (2007, 08)
Juan Francisco — Louisville Bats (2009, 10)

Philadelphia Phillies (NL East)

Joe Blanton — Franklin-Simpson HS (UK)

Atlanta Braves (NL Wild Card)

Jonny Venters — Born in Pikeville, Ky. (HS in Florida)
Brooks Conrad — Lexington Legends (2003)

Minnesota Twins (AL Central)

Jon Rauch — Oldham Co. High School (Morehead St.)

New York Yankees (AL Wild Card)

Austin Kearns — Lafayette High School

Tampa Bay Rays (AL East)

Ben Zobrist — Lexington Legends (2005)

Texas Rangers (AL West)

Josh Hamilton — Louisville Bats (2007)*

*– Volquez and Hamilton both played for Louisville only during rehab assignments.

MiLB Roundup: Bats, Hot Rods win; Legends lose; Friedrich shines; Langfels, Duvall, Richmond have big nights

Minor League Baseball

Christian Friedrich; Photo by Matt McGee via Flickr

Highlights from Thursday Kentucky MiLB action:

Rehabbing Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Homer Bailey looked ready for a return to the big leagues after leading the Louisville Bats to a 6-0 win over Norfolk. Bailey surrendered just six hits in seven innings and struck out nine while walking none.
Right-handed pitcher Kirby Yates posted his first quality start since July 15 in the Bowling Green Hot Rods 6-4 win over South Bend. Yates surrendered three runs on seven hits in six innings and struck out three batters while walking two.
The Lexington Legends scored three runs in the ninth inning, but the game was long out of reach by that point in an 8-3 loss to Hagerstown. Right fielder Jacob Goebbert was 2-4 with a double, one RBI and one run scored.
Former EKU left-handed pitcher Christian Friedrich earned his third win of the season after surrendering one unearned run on three hits in six innings. Friedrich struck out three and walked one.
Former EKU infielder and 2010 Rockies draftee Jayson Langfels tallied three hits, slugged two home runs and drove in six runs for short-season Tri-City.
Former UofL infielder and 2010 Giants draftee Adam Duvall slugged his third home run on the season for short-season Salem-Keizer.
Former UofL outfielder and 2010 Rangers draftee Josh Richmond slugged his second home run of the season and drove in six runs for short-season Spokane.
Ballard High School alum Jeremy Sowers got his third start of the season for AAA Columbus and took a no decision despite surrendering just one hit in five innings. Sowers struck out five and walked none.

Monday Links: MLB regular season ends, mostly

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Homer Bailey; Picture from Wikimedia Commons

The 2009 MLB regular season is officially over for all but two teams. The Twins and Tigers will play on Tuesday to determine the winner of the AL Central, and Kentucky native Jon Rauch should play a key role if the Twins get a lead in that game. Today, check out the BluGrass Baseball players making an impact in the final regular season games:

2009 Louisville Bat Homer Bailey won his eighth game for Cincinnati, putting him in good shape for a 2010 Reds’ rotation spot. 2009 Bat Drew Stubbs was 3-4, bringing his average to .267 in his time with the Reds.
Morehead alum Jon Rauch earned his 17th hold of the season for Minnesota, helping the Twins force a one-game playoff on Tuesday.
Bellarmine alum Todd Wellemeyer took his tenth loss of the season for St. Louis, finishing 2009 at 7-10, 5.89 ERA.
Former Bat Edwin Encarnacion hit his 13th home run for Toronto.

Reynolds finishes season with 44 home runs

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Mark Reynolds; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Pikeville-native Mark Reynolds went 1-4 with a run scored and three strikeouts in his final game of the 2009 season. The Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman finishes the year with 44 home runs, tied with Jay Buhner for most in a single-season by a player born in Kentucky. Reynolds also finishes the year with a major-league record 223 strikeouts.

Detroit defeated the White Sox this morning and Minnesota is up 10-4 in the eighth inning over Kansas City, so the AL Central race appears destined for a one-game playoff on Tuesday. Louisville-native and Morehead State alum Jon Rauch struck out the only batter he faced in today’s game for the Twins.

2009 Bat Homer Bailey pitched six shutout innings in a Cincinnati 6-0 victory over Pittsburgh. The game featured numerous contributions from 2009 Bats, so look back tomorrow for the full breakdown.

Final Day BluGrass Baseball Storylines

Major League Baseball

Photo by angela n. via Flickr

Evidently the Twins and Tigers don’t read BluGrass Baseball since they ignored my pronouncement from earlier this week that the playoff races were settled. The Twins and Tigers enter the last game of the season tied for the AL Central lead with Justin Verlander taking the mound for Detroit against the White Sox, and Carl Pavano pitching for Minnesota against Kansas City. Louisville-native and Morehead alum Jon Rauch won Saturday’s game for the Twins to pull them into a tie with Detroit. So if you’re routing for the Kentucky angle you might want to start looking for a twins jersey.

In other major league action, Pikeville-native Mark Reynolds has one game left to break Jay Buhner’s Kentucky home run record. Reynolds is currently tied for most home runs in one season by a Kentucky native (44), and will have to go deep against Ryan Dempster and the Chicago Cubs to own sole possession of the record. The game starts at 2:20.

2009 Bat Homer Bailey takes the ball for Cincinnati in the season finale.

Wednesday Links: Major League Roundup

Major League Baseball

Dan Uggla; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

The playoff races are all but decided, but several BluGrass Baseball players played vital roles in the remaining races Tuesday. Check those links and more in today’s links:

Louisville native Dan Uggla hit his 31st home run of the season while the Marlins dropped Atlanta to three games out of the NL Wild Card.
Morehead State alum Jon Rauch picked up his third win in game one of a double-header for the Twins. The Twins remain two games behind Detroit for the AL Central crown.
Lexington native Tyler Clippard picked up his third win of the season for Washington.
2009 Bat Homer Bailey picked up his seventh win for the Reds, and former bat Jay Bruce had two home runs in the victory.