Friday Links: Bats Comeback

Louisville Slugger Field

I’ll probably have fewer posts than normal over the next couple of days as I recover from having my wisdom teeth removed, but never fear here are some Friday links to hold you over. Look for a recap of UofL summer league action this afternoon.

The Bats scored five times in the eighth and ninth innings to come back and defeat Lehigh Valley 12-8.
The West Virginia Power used an eight-run sixth inning and a home run from first-round pick Tony Sanchez to defeat Lexington 12-6.
Matt Moore struck out nine in five innings to lead Bowling Green to a victory in the series-opener against Hickory.
Don’t look for team USA member and UofL pitcher Tony Zych to pitch in the Olympics anytime soon. The IOC decided Thursday that baseball would not return to the 2016 games.
UK Athletics reports about Braden Kapteyn’s NYCBL MVP.

Thursday Links: Cotuit Kettleers Eliminated

College Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Chris Bisson; Photo: UK Athletics

Wednesday was a losing night for Bluegrass Baseball teams, and Kentucky connections. Check out the Cape Cod League finals and other storylines in Thursday morning’s hot links.

UK infielder Chris Bisson and the Cotuit Kettleers lost in game two of the Cape Cod League finals, giving the title to the Bourne Braves. Bisson was 0-3 with a walk in the 5-1 loss.
Phillies top prospect Michael Taylor hit for the cycle to lead the Lehigh Valley IronPigs to their first win in seven games against Louisville this season with a 10-9 victory Wednesday.
Pirates first round pick Tony Sanchez and the West Virginia Power defeated Lexington 9-2 in the series opener.
“Cat Scratches” reports on Braden Kapteyn’s NYCBL MVP, which was first reported here and on the BluGrass Baseball twitter.
Baseball America named Louisville outfielder Drew Stubbs best baserunner, best defensive outfielder and best outfield arm in the International League in a survey of IL managers. (Subscriber only)
EKU Alum Christian Friedrich and Lexington Legend Jordan Lyles both received votes in the South Atlantic League best pitcher poll conducted by Baseball America to SAL managers.
Will Graves (Former Kernelite) at the Associated Press reports on UK Athletics 15x15x15 plan.
Jason Stella profiles Louisville Bat Kevin Barker at Examiner.com.

Game Time Notes

Minor League Baseball

Louisville Bats @ Lehigh Valley IronPigs

Louisville looks for the series victory against Lehigh Valley with Matt Maloney on the mound tonight. Maloney received a brief callup to Cincinnati earlier this season, but has spent most of the year with the Bats. Matt is 8-8 with a 2.71 ERA in 19 games for Louisville this season. Maloney’s 2.71 ERA ranks fifth best in the International League and his 106 strikeouts are tied for fourth most. Matt has shown exceptional control this season with only 19 walks in 126 innings.
Bats outfielder Darnell McDonald had only three hits in seven games in August entering Tuesday’s game, but he broke out of that slump in a big way. McDonald finished the game 4-4 with a double. The four hits tie a season high for McDonald achieved previously on July 6 against Indianapolis with a 4-5 performance.
Outfielder Drew Stubbs stole his 46th base of the season Tuesday. The 46 steals lead the International league and rank 11th in minor league baseball. Stubbs should easily break the 50 steal plateau with just under a month left in the season. Think 50 steals might be a Bats record? Think again, Vince Coleman stole 101 bases in 1984 for the franchise.
The IronPigs will counter with left-handed pitcher Gustavo Chacin. Chacin was once a top prospect, winning the AA Eastern League Pitcher of the Year award in 2004, but he has failed to make a dent past AAA in his career. This season Chacin is excelling with Lehigh Valley with a 7-3 record and 3.09 ERA in 13 games. Chacin has 48 strikeouts and 29 walks in 84.1 innings this season.

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