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.

Meyer, Whittle earn conference pitcher of the week honors; Lueke optioned to AAA; UK announces scoring change

College Baseball, Major League Baseball

Alex Meyer; UK Athletics photo

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

University of Kentucky junior right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer was named the Southeastern Conference pitcher of the week following his complete-game win versus Arkansas.
Morehead State University sophomore left-handed pitcher Garrick Whittle was named the Ohio Valley Conference pitcher of the week after his 12-strikeout game versus Tennessee Tech.
Doug Miller of MLB.com reports the Seattle Mariners will option Highland Heights native and former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke to AAA Tacoma before Tuesday’s game. Lueke is 1-1 with a 17.05 ERA in eight games this season.
Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com reports Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb threw two innings in an extended spring game on Monday.
PLD alum A. J. Ellis was at the center of a minor controversy over the weekend when he attempted to steal second base with the Dodgers up big late in their game versus the Cubs on Friday. Dave van Dyck of the Chicago Tribune reports the stolen base attempt was the result of a missed sign, not a breach of baseball etiquette.
After conferring UK, Arkansas, the SEC and NCAA have decided to count the statistics from the unfinished sixth inning of the two teams’ Sunday finale. The scoring change means the final score of the game was 5-1 instead of 4-1.

Angels activate Scott Downs; Josh Lueke earns first MLB win

Uncategorized

Scott Downs; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

Lyle Spencer of MLB.com reports the Los Angeles Angels have activated Louisville native and former UK left-handed pitcher Scott Downs from the disabled-list.
Downs pitched a scoreless inning in his season-debut on Monday.
Highland Heights native and former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke earned his first career win on Monday after pitching a scoreless inning in the Seattle Mariners comeback.
Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA lists the University of Louisville among the 25 teams to watch outside of the website’s top 25.
UofL checks in at No. 7 and Western Kentucky University ranks No. 22 in College Baseball Daily‘s most recent mid-major top 25.

Jacob Rhodes named OVC player of week; Alex Meyer projected as first-round pick; Corey Hart frustrated by injury

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Corey Hart; Photo by Steve Paluch via Flickr

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

Murray State University junior catcher Jacob Rhodes was named the Ohio Valley Conference player of the week. Rhodes was also the BluGrass Baseball player of the week.
Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA lists the University of Louisville among his 25 teams to watch outside the PG top 25.
David Rawnsley of Perfect Game USA has posted his latest mock draft and has the Tampa Bay Rays taking University of Kentucky junior right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer with pick No. 32.
Tom Haudicourt and Todd Rosiak of the Journal Sentinel reports Bowling Green native Corey Hart still has no timetable to start a minor league rehab assignment.
Anthony Andro of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb was unhappy with his control during a live batting practice session on Monday.
Josh Jackson of MLB.com lists one-time UK outfielder turned second baseman Jason Kipnis and Louisville Bats catcher Devin Mesoraco among the prospects to watch in the International League early in the season.
Greg Johns of MLB.com reports Highland Heights native and former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke was rattled by base runner Coco Crisp during his MLB debut.
Matt Pignataro of 7 Train to Shea has posted a Q&A with Lexington native and Rangers prospect Robbie Ross.
Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com has an excellent column about Lexington native Austin Kearns and his decision to return to Cleveland in part because of the treatment his autistic son could receive at the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Autism.

Lueke struggles in debut; Rauch, Green have poor outings

Major League Baseball

Sean Green; Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Latest links and notes from around Kentucky baseball:

Highland Heights native and former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke surrendered four runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning in his MLB debut for the Mariners on Sunday.
David Lassen of The Press-Enterprise reports PLD alum A. J. Ellis was warming up in the bullpen Sunday but was saved from being used on the mound in mop-up duty when Lance Cormier recorded the final two outs of the game.
Oldham County HS alum and former Morehead St. right-handed pitcher Jon Rauch surrendered one run in one inning in his first appearance for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Male HS alum and former UofL right-handed pitcher Sean Green surrendered two hits, walked two batters and surrendered one run in one inning of work for the Brewers.
Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA lists Western Kentucky University among the weekly college baseball losers. (subscription required)

Lueke eagerly awaits MLB debut; Kearns to platoon in left

Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Austin Kearns; Photo by Scott Ableman via Flickr

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

Greg Johns of MLB.com talks with Highland Heights native Josh Lueke about his impending MLB debut, and Lueke reminisces about attending Reds’ games as a teenager.
Jordan Bastian and Zack Meisel of MLB.com reports Lexington native Austin Kearns will split time in left field with Travis Buck until Cleveland Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore returns from injury.
Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reports the Phillies have released Louisville native Matt Anderson, who was attempting to make a comeback with the team after several years away from professional baseball.
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports the Cardinals are not rushing Louisville native Zack Cox, who might have been able to handle AA in his first full professional season.

Joe Blanton leads Kentucky major leaguers in salary

Major League Baseball

Joe Blanton; Photo via Wikimedia Commons

With Opening Day upon us its time for the annual look at the contracts of each of Kentucky’s major league players. The group added two new members in Josh Lueke and Nathan Adcock this season, but is still dominated by the familiar names. Check out the full list of 2011 salaries below with contract data via USA Today‘s MLB salary database:

Joe Blanton (Phillies) — Franklin-Simpson HS, UK — $10.5 million
Aaron Cook (Rockies) — Born in Ft. Campbell — $9.875 million
Dan Uggla (Braves) — Born in Louisville — $9.15 million
Corey Hart (Brewers) — Greenwood HS — $6.833 million
Mark Reynolds (Orioles) — Born in Pikeville — $5.333 million
Scott Downs (Angels) — PRP, UK — $5 million
Jon Rauch (Blue Jays) — Oldham Co. HS, Morehead St. — $3.5 million
Brandon Webb (Rangers) — Paul Blazer HS, UK — $3 million
Trever Miller (Cardinals) — St. X HS — $2 million
Austin Kearns (Indians) — Lafayette HS — $1.3 million
Sean Green (Brewers) — Male HS, UofL — $875,000
Tyler Clippard (Nationals) — Born in Lexington — $443,000
Jonny Venters (Braves) — Born in Pikeville — $429,500
A. J. Ellis (Dodgers) — PLD HS — $421,000
Nathan Adcock (Royals) — North Hardin HS — $414,000
Josh Lueke (Mariners) — Scott HS, NKU — $414,000

No significant differences were discovered. Race does not influence the length of enrollment in adult literacy programs.

Kentuckians on MLB Opening Day rosters

Major League Baseball

You can always see the list of Kentucky MLB players on the “Ky. in the Majors” page here, but with Opening Day upon us I thought it would be a good idea to post the list on the home page. Check out the Kentuckians starting the 2011 season on MLB rosters below:

National League

RHP Aaron Cook — Born in Ft. Campbell — Colorado Rockies (15-day DL)
C A. J. Ellis — PLD — Los Angeles Dodgers
OF Corey Hart — Greenwood HS — Milwaukee Brewers (15-day DL)
2B Dan Uggla — Born in Louisville — Atlanta Braves
RHP Joe Blanton — Franklin-Simpson HS, UK — Philadelphia Phillies
LHP Jonny Venters — Born in Pikeville — Atlanta Braves
RHP Sean Green — Male HS, UofL — Milwaukee Brewers
LHP Trever Miller — St. X HS — St. Louis Cardinals
RHP Tyler Clippard — Born in Lexington — Washington Nationals

American League

OF Austin Kearns — Lafayette HS — Cleveland Indians
RHP Brandon Webb — Paul Blazer HS, UK — Texas Rangers (15-day DL)
RHP Jon Rauch — Oldham Co. HS, Morehead St. — Toronto Blue Jays
RHP Josh Lueke — Scott HS, NKU — Seattle Mariners*
3B Mark Reynolds — Born in Pikeville — Baltimore Orioles
RHP Nathan Adcock — North Hardin HS — Kansas City Royals*
LHP Scott Downs — PRP, UK — Los Angeles Angels (15-day DL)
RHP Shawn Kelley — Ballard HS — Seattle Mariners (60-day DL)

* — Lueke and Adcock are MLB rookies and will make their MLB debuts with first appearance in 2011.

Lueke will open season with Mariners; Blanton on SI cover

College Baseball, Major League Baseball

Sports Illustrated cover

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times reports the Mariners have informed Highland Heights native and former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke he will open the season in the MLB bullpen.
Colin Fly of The Associated Press reports Bowling Green native Corey Hart is secure with his spot with the Brewers following his breakout 2010 season and contract extension.
Dennis Punzel of Madison.com reports Louisville native and former UofL right-handed pitcher Sean Green may be in danger of losing his spot on the Milwaukee Brewers’ roster when a few pitchers return from injury.
Michael Grant of the Courier-Journal recaps the University of Louisville‘s 3-1 win over Western Kentucky University, noting the Cards’ freshmen batters were able to contribute unlike they have through most of the season.
Former UK right-handed pitcher Joe Blanton and the rest of the Phillies’ starting rotation appear on the cover, right, of Sports Illustrated this week.

Spring roundup: Lueke surrenders one run in two innings

Major League Baseball

Austin Kearns; Photo by Scott Ableman via Flickr

Stats and highlights from a rain-shortened schedule of Monday Kentucky Spring Training action:

Lexington native Austin Kearns was 1-4 with one RBI for the Cleveland Indians.
Highland Heights native and former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke surrendered one run on three hits in two innings of relief for the Seattle Mariners.
Offseason Louisville resident Matt Maloney surrendered three hits but no runs in one and one-third innings of relief for the Cincinnati Reds.
Baltimore Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds, who was born in Pikeville, was 1-4 with one double and one run scored versus the Tigers.