Mark Maloney on Kentucky sports

Coming up

Lexington Legends vs. Bowling Green Hot Rods

What: Four-game series (Final series of the 2009 season)

When: Friday through Monday (7:05 Friday and Saturday nights; 5:05 Sunday; 1:05 Monday)

Where: Bowling Green Ballpark, Bowling Green, Ky.

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Friday, RH Kyle Greenwalt (8-13, 4.10) vs. RH Chris Andujar (10-4, 2.74); Saturday, RH Jordan Lyles (6-11, 3.31) vs. TBA; Sunday, LH Brad Dydalewicz (7-5, 3.87) vs. LH Frank De Los Santos (4-10, 3.79); Monday, RH Robert Bono (8-8, 3.41) vs. TBA.

Chris Andujar

Hot Rod to watch: All-star RHP Chris Andujar (6-foot, 182 pounds, from San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic) gets the start Friday. Andujar’s 10 victories are tied for third-best in the league (through Tuesday) and his 2.74 ERA ranks fourth. Over 30 appearances, including 16 starts, Andujar has worked 115 innings, striking out 76 and walking 39. Signed by Tampa Bay as a free agent on April 25, 2006. With Hudson Valley of the New York-Penn League last year, Andujar went 3-4 with a 5.65 ERA. He averaged nearly a strikeout per inning, fanning 57 over 65 2/3 innings.

Brian Pellegrini

Legends to watch: 1B/LF/DH Brian Pellegrini (6-1, 240, from Willoughby, Ohio) smashed the franchise records for career homers (28, by Tommy Whiteman and Justin Humphries) earlier this season and needs just one more to take sole possession of the team’s single-season record. He goes into the series with 46 bombs as a Legend. His 25 this season lead the league and match the single-season record set by Beau Hearod and tied by Hunter Pence. Pellegrini played his first 30 games of the season for High-A Lancaster, hitting another seven homers. Through Wednesday, Pellegrini is hitting .290, with 68 RBI and 60 runs scored, over 98 games with the Legends. He was selected by the Houston Astros in the 12th round of the 2007 draft, out of St. Bonaventure University, where he was the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year in 2006. He played five games for Tri-City in 2007. Last year, in 87 games with the Legends, Pellegrini hit .226 with 21 homers 69 RBI and 50 runs scored. Despite his linebacker-type build, Pellegrini is surprisingly quick. He stole 13 bases last season and has nine this year. 

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Bud Norris

Henry Villar

Matt Nevarez

Also of note: Former Legend RHP Bud Norris, now with the Astros, has been named Pitcher of the Year in the Pacific Coast League, where he played for the Round Rock Express. Norris went 4-9, but led the PCL with a 2.63 ERA over 19 starts. Since being called up by the Astros, Norris is 3-3 with a 6.61 ERA over six starts. … Mike Tauser’s “Farmstros Five” for the week, all RHPs, includes Legends Henry Villar and Matt Nevarez. Corpus Christi’s Chia-jen Lo tops the list, joined by Jose Cisnero of Greeneville and Kirk Clark of Tri-City. For more on the Farmstros, see Tauser’s blog: http://farmstros.blogspot.com/

South Atlantic League baseball

Coming up

Lexington Legends vs. Asheville Tourists

What: Three-game series

When: Tuesday through Thurday (7:05 each night)

Where: McCormick Field (Asheville, N.C.)

Robert Bono

Legends RHP Ross Seaton is set to start Wednesday. (Staff photo/Mark Cornelison)

David Duncan

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Tuesday, RH Robert Bono (8-8, 3.41) vs. RH Alan DeRatt (2-3, 4.91); Wednesday, RH Ross Seaton (8-10, 3.31) vs. RH Carlos Luna (0-0, 7.56); Thursday, LH David Duncan (4-3, 4.24) vs. RH Juan Nicasio (8-3, 2.41).

Tourist to watch: Switch-hitting CF Delta Cleary Jr. (6-foot-3, 180 pounds, from Jonesboro, Ark.) entered the season as the 11th-best prospect in the Rockies system, according to Baseball America. Through Sunday, he is hitting .258 with seven homers and 43 RBI over 100 games. He has stolen 31 bases in 42 attempts and scored 50 runs. He had three hits in each game, Saturday and Sunday, at Bowling Green. Rated by Baseball America as “best athlete” in the Rockies system, Cleary is a cousin of NBA pro Shawn Marion. Cleary, a guard, averaged 13 points a game to help his high school to the Arkansas Class 6A state title. He also quarterbacked the football team. Cleary then led his junior-college baseball team to the Division II national championship. Selected by Colorado in the 37th round of the 2008 draft, out of Louisiana State-Eunice JC, Cleary broke in to pro ball last year with Casper of the Pioneer League. There, he hit .276 with three homers, nine RBI and four stolen bases in 27 games.

Michael Hacker

Legend to watch: LHP Michael Hacker (5-9, 175, from Folsom, Calif.) struck out two Saturday in a scoreless inning of relief against the Hickory Crawdads. That was his first appearance since July 16 and bodes well after a horrendous season up to that point. His numbers: 0-1, 2.69 ERA, 20 strikeouts, 15 walks. Selected by the Houston Astros in the 25th round of the 2008 draft, out of Cosumnes River (Calif.) Junior College, Hacker played for the Tri-City ValleyCats of the New York-Penn League last year. Over 23 appearances, all in relief, Hacker went 1-3 with five saves and a 2.73 ERA. He worked 26 1/3 innings, striking out 27 and walking 17. He held opposing batters to a .187 average and did not allow an earned run in his first 17 games. He was especially tough on the road, with an ERA of 1.08.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

MVP Jordan Pacheco

Derek Norris, top prospect

Also of note: Former Lafayette High School and University of Kentucky standout Michael Bertram is the Eastern League Player of the Week. Bertram, a third baseman for the Double-A Erie (Pa.) SeaWolves, went 9-for-26 (.346) with two doubles, two triples and two homers. He drove in 11 runs, scored eight times, walked three times and finished with an .808 slugging percentage for six games. … No Legends were on the annual list of SAL all-stars revealed Monday. The Charleston RiverDogs led the way with three selections: RHP David Phelps, 3B Corban Joseph and Melky Mesa (utility OF). West Virginia’s Rudy Owens was named Most Outstanding Pitcher, going 10-1 with a 1.70 ERA over 19 games before being promoted to Lynchburg of the Carolina League. Hagerstown Suns catcher Derek Norris, batting .288 with 122 hits and 23 homers in 121 games, was tabbed Most Outstanding Major League Prospect. Asheville catcher Jordan Pacheco, batting .325 with 139 hits and 13 homers through 111 games, was named MVP. Selections came from a vote of SAL field managers, general managers, sportswriters and broadcasters. Lakewood’s Dusty Wathan was selected as manager, Greenville’s Bob Kipper as coach. Other players picked: Asheville’s Scott Robinson (OF); Hagerstown’s Stephen Lombardozzi (2B); Augusta’s Josh Mazzola (1B); Bowling Green’s Tim Beckham (SS); Delmarva’s Ronnie Welty (OF); Hickory’s Erik Morrison (utility IF), and Lakewood’s Anthony Gose (OF).

South Atlantic League baseball

Coming up

What: 4-game series

When: REVISED after Thursday’s rainout: Friday through Sunday (5:05 p.m. doubleheader Friday, 7:05 Saturday night, 2:05 Sunday afternoon)

Where: Applebee’s Park

Tickets: Call (859) 422-7867

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Friday, game one, RH Kyle Greenwalt (4-7, 3.87) vs. LH Frank De Los Santos (3-5, 4.08); Friday, game two, RH Jordan Lyles (4-6, 3.09) vs. RH Nick Barnese (1-1, 1.59); Saturday, LH Brad Dydalewicz (4-1, 2.59) vs. LH Matt Moore (3-3, 3.41); Sunday, RH Robert Bono (6-4, 2.27) vs. RH Shane Dyer (1-5, 4.65).

Anthony Scelfo

Hot Rod to watch: CF Anthony Scelfo (5-foot-10, 195 pounds, from New Orleans) leads Bowling Green in runs (33), walks (26) and stolen bases (7). Over 62 games, he’s batting .247 with two homers and 17 RBI. After batting .195 in May, he has improved to .289 this month. Selected by Tampa Bay in the eighth round of the 2008 draft, out of Tulane University, where he was on a football scholarship. He started in both sports his final academic year, 2007-08. He quarterbacked in all 12 football games, including eight starts over the last nine games, and finished with 1,396 yards and six touchdowns on 111-for-205 passing. He also was second on the team with 171 rushing yards and a score on 57 carries. The following spring, he hit .322 and led the Green Wave in homers (12), triples (7), runs (72), total bases (133), walks (54), slugging (.578) and on-base percentage (.453). Scelfo was named to the New York-Penn League all-star team in his first pro season, last year with Hudson Valley. He hit .281 with four homers and 24 RBI over 61 games, and led the league with eight triples.

Michael Diaz

Legend to watch: IF/DH Michael Diaz (5-10, 180, from Bridgeport, Conn.) has hits in nine of his last 10 games (12-for-35, .343). Overall, he’s hitting .264 with three homers, 10 RBI, eight runs and four stolen bases over 36 games. With runners in scoring position, he’s 11-for-26 (.423). Selected by the Houston Astros in the 30th round of the 2008 draft, out of Southern Connecticut State, he played 48 games for Tri-City in the New York-Penn League last summer. He went 50-for-177 (.282) with five homers, 22 RBI, 29 runs and six stolen bases. This season, he played one game with Double-A Corpus Christi (0-for-1) before being assigned to the Legends. Oddly, he is hitting .348 on the road and .169 at Applebee’s Park. The same was true with Tri-City, as he hit .351 on the road and .205 at home.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Also of interest: Blogger Mike Tauser has named his “Farmstros Five” for the week: Top performer LHP Luis Cruz of Greeneville; RHP Jordan Lyles of Lexington; OF T.J. Steele of Lancaster; and a pair of former Legends, LHP Polin Trinidad of Corpus Christi and RHP Bud Norris of Round Rock. You can find the blog at: http://farmstros.blogspot.com/

Ebert Rosario

“I expect to have fun,” the Lexington Legends third baseman said. “I expect to do a good representation of my team — do a good job. I’m not looking to do more than I can.

“I just want to have fun, represent my team and organization, and try to hit 3-for-3, 4-for-4, something like that.”

Rosario laughed at his hopes for a perfect game at the plate, but don’t put it past him.

He is among three Legends on the Southern Division roster for Tuesday’s game at Charleston, W.Va., home of the West Virginia Power. He will be joined by a pair of 20-year-old right-handed pitchers, Robert Bono and Ross Seaton.

Pitching coach Charley Taylor was named as an honorary coach. Taylor, recovering from cancer

Charley Taylor

Ross Seaton

surgery, visited the Legends for a game earlier this month, but he will be unable to attend the all-star game.

Travis Driskill

Robert Bono

there and throws 98, 99 mph, where he can just throw it right down the middle and up in the zone and get guys to swing and miss. We’ve got a bunch of guys that throw anywhere from 88 to 92, and you’ve got to keep that down. If you keep that down, you’re giving yourself a shot.”

A shot to win.

For more on the Legends all-stars, check out Tuesday’s Herald-Leader or http://www.kentucky.com/271/story/839554.html#none.

Legends at the break

Sunday’s 4-2 victory at Greenville enabled the Legends to finish the first-half race above the .500 mark, 36-34, and edge Rome for third place. Lexington finished four games behind first-place Greenville, three behind Charlestson.

Some first-half highs and lows:

Legends                                                                Opponents

Runs: 15, at Augusta; 0, eight times      15, by Greenville; 0, five times
Hits: 18, at Asheville; 1, two times        17, by Greenville; 3, eight times
Errors: 5, vs. Charleston; 0, multiple       5, by Bowling Green; 0 multi.
LOB: 12, at Asheville; 1, vs. Augusta      12, twice; 2, three times
Home runs: 4, twice; 0 multiple             3, by Greenville    0, multiple

More numbers:
* Lexington’s longest winning streak was five games, its longest losing streak six games (twice). 
* The Legends hit 46 home runs and gave up 28.
* Legends hitters were 137-for-530 (.258) with runners in scoring position.
* Lexington’s longest games lasted 3:46 (14 innings) and 3:03 (nine innings).  
* Lexington’s quickest games lasted 1:40 (seven innings) and 1:51 (nine innings). 
* The Legends defense turned 57 double plays, while the offense hit into 59.
* The Legends were 54-for-88 in stolen-base attempts; the opposition was 36-for-58.
* Legends relief pitchers inherited 101 runners, of which 34 scored.

The Legends open second-half play at home Thursday, taking on Bowling Green at 7:05 p.m.

The Legends call on their closer, Patrick Urckfitz, to pitch the ninth inning. Urckfitz retires the first two batters, but Mike McCormick singles to center. That brings Jeremy Beckham to the plate with the potential tying run. Urckfitz closes it out, though, getting Beckham to ground out to short. FINAL SCORE: LEGENDS 5, HOT RODS 3.

* * * * * * *

In the eighth inning, Ashton Mowdy sets down Bowling Green 1-2-3. Hot Rods reliever Josh Satow does likewise to Lexington. Going to the ninth inning: Legends 5, Hot Rods 3.

* * * * * * *

Jordan Lyles

Bowling Green scores a pair of runs in the seventh inning. Mike McCormick draws a one-out walks, then scores on Jeremy Beckham’s triple to center. That knocks out Legends right-hander Jordan Lyles, who is replaced by Ashton Mowdy. Robi Estrada’s slow grounder to short scores Beckham. Anthony Scelfo takes a called third strike. Lyles’ final line: 6.1 innings, 3 runs, 5 hits, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts. With the Legends coming to bat, the Hot Rods dip into the bullpen and call on left-hander Josh Satow. He retires the Legends in order, striking out two. Through seven innings: Legends 5, Hot Rods 3.

* * * * * * *

In the sixth inning, the Hot Rods get a leadoff double from Tim Beckham. He gets to third on a groundout, but is stranded as third baseman Ebert Rosario makes an over-the-shoulder catch of a foul fly and then throws out John Mollicone on a grounder. The Legends get a leadoff single by Kyle Miller and a bunt single by Jorge De Leon. Eric Suttle bunts the runners to second and third. With the infield in, Jay Austin grounds to second baseman, who throws to catcher Jake Jeffries in time to cut down Miller. Austin steals second, and Michael Diaz walks on a full count to load the bases for cleanup hitter Brian Pellegrini. After falling behind in the count 1-2, Pellegrini beat out an infield single to Tim Beckham, in the hole at shortstop. Not only does De Leon score, so does Austin, all the way from second. The inning ends on Ebert Rosario’s fly to right. At the end of six innings: Legends 5, Hot Rods 1. 

* * * * * * *

Jordan Lyles retired Bowling Green in order in the fifth inning. The Hot Rods changed pitchers to open the bottom of the inning, bringing in left-hander Michael Jarman. With one out, Brian Pellegrini walked on four pitches. One out later, Pellegrini advanced on a Jarman balk. He scored from second when second baseman Robi Estrada lost Steve Brown’s high fly against a dark background of storm clouds. Going to the sixth: Legends 3, Hot Rods 1.

* * * * * * *

The Legends make a defensive change to open the fourth inning, Michael Diaz taking over from Albert Cartwright at second base. Cartwright was playing in his fourth game since coming off the disabled list (broken bone in forearm). His first three games came as DH. Kyeong Kang gets the Hot Rods in gear with a leadoff double. A wild pitch puts him on third with nobody out. After John Mollicone pops out to Diaz, Kang scores on Jason Tweedy’s groundout. In the bottom of the inning, the Legends get a two-out walk by Eric Suttle, but nothing else. After four innings: Legends 2, Hot Rods 1.

* * * * * * *

Legends right-hander Jordan Lyles retires the Hot Rods in order in the third inning, thanks to an outstanding play by Albert Cartwright. The second baseman ranged far towards the right-field line to glove Jake Jeffries’ grounder and then made the throw to first. In the bottom half of the inning, Cartwright drew a two-out walk and stole second base. Brian Pellegrini lined a single off the glove of 1B John Mollicone. Mollicone’s leap prevented the ball from going through to the outfield and held Austin to a one-base advance. But Ebert Rosario followed with a run-scoring single through the right side, Pellegrini stopping at second. Steve Brown walked, loading the basees. Federico Hernandez was retired on a comebacker to pitcher Nick Barnese. After three innings: Legends 2, Hot Rods 0.

* * * * * * *

Federico Hernandez

Kyle Miller

Lexington draws first blood in the second inning, taking a 1-0 lead. Bowling Green wasted a two-out single by Jeremy Beckham. The Legends got back-to-back, opposite-field, two-out doubles by Federico Hernandez and Kyle Miller. Hernandez, batting lefty, put his hit just inside the left-field line. Miller, a righty, hit one over the head of right-fielder Kyeong Kang. After two innings: Legends 1, Hot Rods 0.

* * * * * * *

Under a light drizzle, the game began at 7:46 p.m. — a rain delay of 41 minutes.

Neither team scored in the first. Bowling Green got a one-out single from Tim Beckham, plus a walk to Jake Jeffries. But Steve Brown made a tough running catch of Kyeong Kang’s foul fly down the left-field line and John Mollicone bounced out to pitcher Jordan Lyles. The Legends got a one-out double from Jay Austin. One out later, a wild pitch moved Austin to third. But Brian Pellegrini bounced back to pitcher Nick Barnese.

* * * * * * *

Starting lineups for Tuesday’s game:

Bowling Green — Anthony Scelfo, cf; Tim Beckham, ss; Jake Jeffries, c; Kyeong Kang, rf; John Mollicone, 1b; Jason Tweedy, lf; Mike McCormick, dh; Jeremy Beckham, 3b; Robi Estrada, 2b. Pitching: RH Nick Barnese.

Lexington — Eric Suttle, rf; Jay Austin, cf; Albert Cartwright, 2b; Brian Pellegrini, 1b; Ebert Rosario, 3b; Steve Brown, lf; Federico Hernandez, c; Kyle Miller, dh; Jorge De Leon, ss. Pitching: RH Jordan Lyles.

Umpires — Erik Hill, plate; Chris Graham, field.

* * * * * * *

The tarp has been pulled at Applebee’s Park. The rain-delayed start between the Lexington Legends and Bowling Green Hot Rods now is estimated to be 7:40 p.m.

* * * * * * *

Of course it’s raining at Applebee’s Park.

With a schedule like this, it figures. One has to wonder what, if anything, was going through the mind(s) of the schedule-maker(s) when the Lexington Legends were assigned to:

* Wrap up a series at Asheville, N.C., Monday night;

* Open a three-game series Tuesday at Lexington (vs. Bowling Green);

* Then head to Greenville, S.C., to open a three-game series Friday.

The homestand includes a 12:05 p.m. start. But, no, it’s not Thursday, when a day game would give the team an early getaway. The early game is scheduled Wednesday.

Tuesday is Latino Night at the park, as well as Quarter Hot Dog Night.

This could help boost program sales

Jose Trinidad

Kirkland Rivers

Pedro Gonzalez

Meanwhile, the Legends made several roster changes Tuesday.

* Jose Trinidad has been activated from the disabled list, with LHP Kirkland Rivers moving to the inactive list.

* C Reinaldo Pestana has

Andy Simunic

Marques Williams

been added to the roster, coming from extended spring training. He replaces C Pedro Gonzales, who has been assigned to Tri-City of the New York-Penn League.

* IF/OF Andy Simunic comes off the inactive list, with OF Marques Williams going on the disabled list.

Trinidad has not pitched since May 20 due to a shoulder strain. He had appeared in 12 games, all in relief, compiling an 0-3 record with one save and an ERA of 4.05. Over 20 innings, Trinidad gave up nine earned runs on 20 hits and 12 walks, striking out 15.

Rivers made his first appearance for the Legends on May 24, having started the season in extended spring training. Six relief outings spanning 7 1/3 innings have Kirkland with no decisions or saves, one hold and a 2.45 ERA. He has struck out seven and walked five.

Pestana, 22, is a 6-foot-1, 180-pounder from Guatire Miranda, Venezuela, signed by the Astros in March 2004.

He spent two seasons with the Venezuelan Summer League Astros, 2006 and part of 2007 with Greeneville of the Appalachian League, and part of 2007 and all of 2008 with Tri-City. For his career, Pestana is 88-for-434 (.203) with three homers, 46 RBI and 44 runs over 147 games.

Gonzalez spent the first week and a half of the season with High-A Lancaster before joining the Legends on April 20. He was used sparingly, batting .114 with four RBI over 17 games.

Simunic was placed on the inactive list when 2B Albert Cartwright was activated from the DL last week. Simunic is batting .229.

Williams, batting .317 over 16 games, has not played since June 7. He is sidelined due to a broken left hand, the result of a slide at second base.

South Atlantic League baseball

Coming up

Lexington Legends
vs. Bowling Green Hot Rods

What: Three-game series

When: Tuesday through Thursday (7:05 Tuesday and Thursday nights, 12:05 Wednesday)

Where: Applebee’s Park

Tickets: Call (859) 422-7867

Probable pitching matchups (Legends listed first): Tuesday, RH Jordan Lyles (2-6, 3.26) vs. RH Nick Barnese (0-0, 1.50); Wednesday, RH Ross Seaton (6-6, 2.69) vs. LH Matt Moore (3-3, 3.68); Thursday, LH Brad Dydalewicz (3-1, 2.52) vs. RH Shane Dyer (1-4, 4.67).

Jake Jeffries

Hot Rod to watch: C Jake Jeffries (6-foot-1, 212 pounds, from Merced, Calif.) went into Monday’s game ranked 11th in the league and sharing the team lead in RBI (33). Overall, Jeffries is batting .254 and is tied for second on the club with four homers. He’s third on the team with 25 runs and 19 walks and fourth with 50 hits. Selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the third round (78th overall) of the 2008 draft, Jeffries is rated the 18th-best prospect in the organization, according to Baseball America. He signed for $515,000 and debuted last season with Hudson Valley, ranking sixth in the New York-Penn League with a .315 batting average. He also led the Renegades in doubles (16) and on-base percentage (.379). Jeffries was 2008 Big West Conference co-player of the year for Cal-Davis, as well as a semifinalist for both the Golden Spikes (top collegiate player) and Johnny Bench (top collegiate catcher) awards. Jeffries is a nephew of former Pirates relief pitcher Blas Minor.

Albert Cartwright

Legend to watch: 2B/DH Albert Cartwright (5-10, 180, from Winter Haven, Fla.) returned to the lineup Saturday after missing 37 games due to a broken bone in his forearm. Cartwright was batting .316 and riding an eight-game hitting streak at the time when he was injured. In three games back, all as DH, he is 0-for-9, dropping his average to .298. Overall, he is 25-for-84 over 25 games, with three homers, seven doubles and a triple. He has scored 16 runs and driven in 13, with a .366 on-base percentage

Andy Simunic

and .512 slugging. Selected by the Houston Astros in the 36th round of the 2007 draft, out of Polk (Fla.) Community College, Cartwright played the last two seasons for Greeneville. Last year, over 39 games, he hit .306 (37-for-21) with three homers, 17 RBI, 23 runs and 13 stolen bases in 17 attempts.

*  With Cartwright’s return, Legends 2B Andy Simunic is being listed as temporarily inactive. Simunic has played 22 games for the Legends, hitting .229 with an RBI and eight runs scored.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

South Atlantic League baseball

Coming up

Lexington Legends vs. Asheville Tourists

What: Three-game series

When: Saturday through Monday (7:05 Saturday and Monday nights; 2:05 Sunday)

Where: McCormick Field, Asheville, N.C.

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Saturday, LH Brad Dydalewicz (3-1, 2.05) vs. RH Stephen Dodson (1-0, 2.53); Sunday, RH Robert Bono (5-3, 2.31) vs. RH Juan Nicasio (1-0, 0.55); Monday, RH Kyle Greenwalt (3-6, 3.08) vs. RH Dan Houston (2-4, 4.39).

Jordan Pacheco

Tourist to watch: C Jordan Pacheco (6-foot-1, 195 pounds, from Albuquerque, N.M.) is all over Asheville’s offensive board. He shares the team lead in walks (16), is second in batting average (.328), home runs (5), RBI (28) and OPS (.864), third in hits (65), triples (2), total bases (95), slugging percentage (.480) and on-base percentage (.385), fourth in runs (27) and doubles (11), and fifth in stolen bases (7) over 52 games. Selected by the Colorado Rockies in the ninth round of the 2007 draft, out of the University of New Mexico, split his first season between Casper of the Pioneer League and Tri-City of the Northern League, hitting .286 over 63 games. Last season, at Tri-City, he hit .280 with a homer and 35 RBI over 54 games. Pacheco started this season with a bang, hitting. 403 over 19 games in April. He fell off to .297 over 26 games in May and is hitting .240 in his first seven games of June.

Jay Austin

Legend to watch: CF Jay Austin (5-11, 170, from Atlanta) returned to action in Friday’s doubleheader at Bowling Green. He went on the disabled list (concussion) after colliding with shortstop Jorge De Leon while pursuing a first-inning fly on May 30. Now 18, Austin was selected by the Houston Astros in the second round (56th overall) of last year’s draft, out of North Atlanta High School. According to Baseball America’s pre-season ratings, Austin was the 10th-best prospect, the best athlete and fastest baserunner in the Astros system. After batting .191 in April, he improved to .247 in May. In the eight games prior to being injured, Austin hit safely in seven games, at a .324 clip (11-for-34). Friday, he started the second game of a doubleheader, going 2-for-4 and scoring once in a 6-1 victory. Overall, Austin is hitting .231 with 10 RBI and 22 runs. He leads the Legends with eight stolen bases.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

The Lexington Legends lost an outfielder and gained another Thursday.

Brandon Barnes was promoted to High-A Lancaster of the California League.

The Legends filled his roster spot by activating Jay Austin from the disabled list.

Brandon Barnes

Barnes, 23, leads the Legends in doubles (11), triples (3) and RBI (25), and shares the team lead for runs (23), homers (5) and total bases (84). He’s second on the club with 52 hits over 57 games.

Barnes hit safely in six of his last eight games with Lexington, going 10-for-28, to raise his batting average from .249 to .264. During that stretch, he had a double, triple, two homers, five runs and seven RBI.

Selected by the Astros out of Cypress College in the sixth round of the 2005 draft, Barnes is in his fifth minor-league season. He played 87 games for the Legends in 2008, hitting .241 with two homers and 19 RBI.

Austin, 18, is batting .224 with10 RBI and eight stolen bases over 44 games with the Legends.

Jay Austin

He went on the disabled list after suffering a concussion May 30, when he collided in the first inning with shortstop Jorge De Leon. In the eight games prior to his injury, Austin hit safely in seven contests, going 11-for-34 (.324).

The Astros drafted Austin in the second round (56th overall) last year, out of North Atlanta High School. Coming into this season, Baseball America rated him as the 10th-best prospect in Houston’s system, as well as the Astros’ best athlete and fastest baserunner.

The Legends open a two-game series Thursday night at Bowling Green, then head to Asheville for a three-game series. The Legends return to Applebee’s Park on Tuesday, June 16, to meet the Bowling Green Hot Rods.

* Former Legends Chris Johnson, now with 3A Round Rock, and Kobe Clemens, with Lancaster, are among Mike Tauser’s “Farmstros Five” for the week of June 3-9. You can check out his blog at http://farmstros.blogspot.com.

South Atlantic League baseball

Coming up

Lexington Legends vs. Bowling Green Hot Rods

What: Two-game series

When: Thursday and Friday (8:05 EDT each night)

Where: Bowling Green Ballpark

Tickets: Call (270) 901-2121

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Thursday, LH Brad Dydalewicz (3-1, 2.05) vs. RH Nick Barnese (0-0, 1.80); Friday, RH Ross Seaton (6-5, 2.49) vs. LH Matt Moore (3-2, 3.30).

Matthew Moore

Hot Rod to watch: Friday starter Matt Moore (6-foot-1, 207 pounds, from Edgewood, N.M.) is coming off a pair of starts that earned him SAL Pitcher of the Week honors. After tossing four innings of no-run, four-hit ball against Rome, Moore fired a seven-inning no-run, no-hit gem at Asheville. The two-game total: 0 runs, 4 hits, 3 walks, 18 strikeouts. Overall, Moore has made 11 starts. Over 46 1/3 innings, he has struck out 69, walked 36 and held opponents to a .175 batting average. Included in that is a four-inning, no-decision appearance against the Legends on April 26. He gave up three earned runs, two hits and four walks in that game, striking out five as the Hot Rods won 7-6. He is rated by Baseball America as the sixth-best prospect in the Tampa Bay system. Now a week shy of his 20th birthday, Moore was selected by the Rays in the eighth round of the 2007 draft, signing for $115,000. Out of Moriarty High School, he was Gatorade Player of the Year in New Mexico as a senior. Last year, he was 3-2 with a 1.66 ERA over 12 starts and led the Appalachian League with 77 strikeouts (vs. 19 walks). He led all of minor-league ball with 12.8 strikeouts per nine innings, and by holding opponents to a .154 batting average.

Henry Villar

Legend to watch: RHP Henry Villar (5-11, 150, from Bonao, Dominican Republic) has been effective in a variety of roles. His 16 appearances include three starts. He is 1-1, with a save, five holds and a 1.71 ERA. He has worked 42 innings, with 50 strikeouts and 11 walks while holding opponents to a .221 batting average. Villar, 22, pitched two innings of relief in the same April contest that Bowling Green’s Moore faced the Legends, giving up a run and three hits while striking out two. Villar joined the Houston Astros system in July, 2005. He spent two seasons in the Dominican Summer League before moving to Greeneville of the Appalachian League last year. Over those three seasons, Villar was 8-11, with a 3.09 ERA over 39 games (13 each year) and 180 1/3 innings, with 166 strikeouts and 33 walks.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Lexington Legends pitchers Robert Bono and Ross Seaton, along with third baseman Ebert Rosario, were named Monday to the South Atlantic League’s Southern Division all-star team.

Charley Taylor

Pitching coach Charley Taylor, who has been unable to join the team this season due to bladder cancer and subsequent surgery to remove his bladder and prostate, was honored by being named to the coaching staff.

Ebert Rosario

The 50th SAL All-Star game is schedule for 7:35 p.m., June 23 at Appalachian Power Park, home of the West Virginia Power in Charleston.

Rosario will start at third base. Through Sunday, he is batting .304 with four homers and 20 RBI.

Robert Bono

Ross Seaton

Bono is 5-2 and third in the league with a 1.93 ERA. Fellow right-hander Seaton is 6-5, 10th in the league with a 2.49 ERA and the only pitcher in the league to have thrown a nine-inning complete game shutout. (Two other pitchers threw seven-inning complete game shutouts.)

Former Eastern Kentucky University pitcher Christian Friedrich was selected for his work with the Asheville Tourists. However, Friedrich was promoted from Asheville to the High-A Modesto Nuts on May 20.

In eight starts for the Tourists, the left-hander was 3-3, ninth in the league with a 2.18 ERA and second in the league with 66 strikeouts. The Colorado Rockies selected Friedrich in the first round of the 2008 draft. In two starts for Modesto, he has no decisions and a 2.77 ERA.

Christian Friedrich

Greenville leads the Southern Division with five all-stars, including starting pitcher Casey Kelly and first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Greenville’s Kevin Boles will manage the squad, assisted by Charleston (S.C.) manager Torre Tyson and pitching coach Jeff Ware, Greenville hitting coach Billy McMillon and pitching coach Bob Kipper, and Taylor.

Asheville, Charleston and Savannah each have four players on the Southern roster, with two starters each: catcher Jordan Pacheco and center fielder Scott Robinson for the Tourists; right fielder Melky Mesa and designated hitter Daniel Brewer for the RiverDogs; and second baseman Joshua Satin and left fielder Sean Ratliff from the Sand Gnats.

Bowling Green and Augusta have two all-stars each. Bowling Green’s Tim Beckham will start at shortstop.

The Hickory Crawdads and Lakewood BlueClaws lead the Northern stars with six players each. Greensboro has four players and host West Virginia has three.

Lakewood’s Dusty Wathan will manager the Northern team, assisted by BlueClaws coach Tim Gradoville. Also assisting will be managers Gary Green of West Virginia and Ernie Young of Kannapolis, plus West Virginia pitching coach Jeff Johnson.

The 27-player rosters were selected by a vote of league managers and coaching staffs, media and front-office executives.