Mark Maloney on Kentucky sports

South Atlantic League baseball

Lexington Legends
at West Virginia Power

What: Four-game series

When: Thursday through Sunday (7:05 Thursday through Saturday nights, 2:05 Sunday afternoon)

Where: Appalachian Power Park (Charleston, W.Va.)

Major League affiliates: Kansas City Royals (Legends), Pittsburgh Pirates (Power)

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Thursday, LH Colin Rodgers (3-1, 2.30) vs. RH Clay Holmes (1-3, 6.10); Friday, LH Daniel Stumpf (3-0, 1.19) vs. RH Tyler Glasnow (3-0, 1.80); Saturday, RH Aroni Nina (0-2, 4.74) vs. RH Jake Burnette (0-0, 49.1); Sunday, RH Bryan Brickhouse (1-3, 2.33) vs. LH Joely Rodriguez (2-2, 3.14).

Bryan Brickhouse

Legend to watch: Sunday starter Bryan Brickhouse (6-foot, 212 pounds, age 20,  from Charlotte, N.C.) is reigning SAL Pitcher of the Week (1 GS, 6.2i, 0r, 2h, 9k, 2w), having pitched Lexington to a 2-0 road victory over Lakewood. In one start this week, against Kannapolis, Brickhouse threw five innings of one-run, seven-hit ball. Overall, his 1-3, 2.33 mark comes over seven starts and 38 2/3 innings. He has 34 strikeouts to nine walks, holding opponents to a .231 average. His ERA is 3.18 at home, 1.66 on the road. A third-round draft choice in 2011, he went 7-2 with a 1.08 ERA and 129 strikeouts over 72 innings as a high school senior in The Woodlands, Texas. His teammates included Jameson Taillon, the second overall pick in the 2010 draft. Brickhouse passed on a chance to play collegiate ball for North Carolina and signed with the Royals for $1.5 million. His grandfather, Norman Brickhouse, was a catcher for North Carolina State. The Legends’ Brickhouse (no relation to Hall of Fame broadcaster Jack Brickhouse) played one game for the Idaho Falls Chukars last season and 10 for the Kane County Cougars of the Midwest League, going a combined 3-3, 6.62, with 41 strikeouts and 26 walks. Coming into this season, Baseball America rated him the 17th best prospect in the Royals system.

Allie Stetson

Power to watch: 1B Allie Stetson (6-2, 238, 22, bats and throws right, from Olmstead Falls, Ohio) leads or shares the team lead in games (36), average (.316), hits (43), homers (8), total bases (76), slugging (.559) and OPS (.961) through Tuesday. Out of St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio, he also pitched and went 9-1 with a 1.29 ERA as a senior. He also struck out 134 in 60 innings. The Pirates selected him in the second round of the 2010 draft. He played last season with the Gulf Coast League Pirates, batting .213 with three homers, 19 RBI and 23 runs. He earned SAL Player of the Week honors in mid-April.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

South Atlantic League baseball

Kannapolis Intimidators
at Lexington Legends

What: Three-game series

When: Monday through Wednesday (7:05 Monday and Tuesday nights, 10:05 Wednesday morning)

Where: Whitaker Bank Ballpark

Tickets: Call (859) 422-7867

Major League affiliates: Kansas City Royals (Legends), Chicago White Sox (Intimidators)

UPDATED Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Monday, RH Bryan Brickhouse (1-3, 2.41) vs. RH Jake Cose (2-3, 2.14);  Tuesday, RH Miguel Almonte (1-4, 3.52) vs. LH Jefferson Olacio (1-4, 7.13); Wednesday, RH Christian Binford (2-2, 3.21) vs. RH Myles Jaye (4-1, 2.20).

Zach Isler

Intimidator to watch: RHP Zach Isler (6-foot-5, 230 pounds, age 22, from Union) is 2-1 with three saves and a 2.21 ERA over 10 relief appearances spanning 20 1/3 innings. He has recorded 21 strikeouts to five walks, while holding left-handed batters to a .179 average and has not given up an earned run in his four home appearances. Out of Covington Catholic High School and the University of Cincinnati, Isler was an eighth-round draft pick last June. Assigned to Great Falls of the Pioneer League last season, he went 1-0 with a 4.50 over 18 games, including one start. He struck out 33 and walked 12 over 44 innings.

Christian Binford

Legend to watch: Wednesday starter Christian Binford (6-6, 217, 20, from Boynton Beach, Fla.) was selected in the 30th round of the 2011 draft out of Mercersburg (Pa.) Academy. He fired a no-hitter in his first high school start as a freshman in 2008, then underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in 2009. As a senior, he compiled a 0.64 ERA in 55 innings, then bypassed a chance to play collegiate ball for Virginia by signing for $575,000. Assigned to Burlington of the Appalachian League last season, Binford went 2-3 with a 2.03 over eight starts and 40 innings, striking out 31 while walking four. With the Legends, his 2-2, 3.21 marks come over six starts and 33 2/3 innings, with 34 strikeouts and nine walks. Coming into the season, Baseball America rated him the No. 26 prospect in the Royals system.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

South Atlantic League baseball

Lexington Legends
at Lakewood BlueClaws

What: Four-game series

When: Saturday through Tuesday (4:05 Saturday and 1:05 Sunday afternoon, 6:35 Monday and Tuesday nights)

Where: FirstEnergy Park (Lakewood, N.J.)

Major League affiliates: Kansas City Royals (Legends), Philadelphia Phillies (BlueClaws)

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Saturday, LH Daniel Stumpf (2-0, 1.33) vs. RH Shane Watson (1-2, 5.40); Sunday, RH Aroni Nina (0-1, 3.71) vs. RH Kevin Brady (1-2, 5.24); Monday, RH Bryan Brickhouse (0-3, 3.00) vs. LH Yoel Mecias (0-1, 6.16); Tuesday, RH Miguel Almonte (1-3, 4.13) vs. RH Nicholas Hanson (1-0, 4.35).

Ethan Chapman

Legend to watch: OF Ethan Chapman (5-foot-9, 166 pounds, age 23, from Pomona, Calif., bats left, throws right) leads the Legends with a .275 batting average through Thursday. Over 27 games, Chapman is 22-for-80, with three doubles, 10 walks, five RBI, 10 runs and 14-for-17 in stolen-base attempts. Selected in the 30th round of last June’s draft, he attended Cal State San Bernadino, where he was a teammate of fellow Royals prospect Aaron Brooks. Chapman scored a school-record 60 runs as a freshman in 2010. He also tied the school record for home runs in a season (14), earned second-team All-West Region and, in 2012, won an ABCA West Region Gold Glove. Assigned to Idaho Falls of the Pioneer League last summer, he was the Chukars’ Player of the Year. He finished second in the league in stolen bases (25), third in triples (9), tied for fourth in runs (58), sixth in hits (88) and tied for ninth in doubles (9).

Mitch Walding

BlueClaw to watch: 3B Mitch Walding (6-3, 190, 20, from Lodi, Calif., bats left, throws right) is hitting .267 through 25 games, with five doubles, two triples, 16 RBI and 12 runs. Selected in the fifth round of the 2011 draft, out of St. Mary’s High School in Stockton, Calif., where he also starred in football, he turned down a scholarship to Oregon and signed for $800,000. Rated by Baseball America as the No. 16 prospect in the Phillies system, and No. 20 by MLB.com, he made his pro debut last year with Williamsport of the New York-Penn League. He batted .233 for the Crosscutters, after starting his first month at .383. Notes Baseball America: “… He ran into some struggles that snowballed as he got down on himself. Walding is learning how to translate his tools into baseball ability, but his upside is significant. He has a sweet left-handed swing that generates natural backspin, and he projects to have above-average raw power as he grows into his broad-shouldered frame.”

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

South Atlantic League baseball

Lexington Legends
at Delmarva Shorebirds

What: Three-game series

When: Wednesday through Friday (7:05 each night)

Where: Arthur W. Perdue Stadium (Salisbury, Md.)

Major League affiliates: Kansas City Royals (Legends), Baltimore Orioles (Shorebirds)

Legends probable pitchers: Wednesday, RH Miguel Almonte (0-3, 5.50); Thursday, RH Christian Binford (1-2, 3.74); Friday, LH Colin Rodgers (1-1, 3.66).

Alec Mills

Legend to watch: RHP Alec Mills (6-foot-4, 187 pounds, age 21, from Clarksville, Tenn.) is 1-1 with a 2.63 ERA and two saves over seven relief appearances spanning 13 2/3 innings. Mills has struck out 19 and walked two while holding opponents to a .149 batting average. Selected in the 22nd round of the 2012 draft out of Tennessee-Martin, he set a UTM record with 30 appearances as a sophomore in 2011. As a junior, he struck out 74 over 89 innings, compiling a 3.94 ERA. As a high school athlete in Cunningham, Tenn., he was Male Athlete of the Year all four years at Montgomery Central. He made his pro debut last year with Idaho Falls of the Pioneer League, getting seven starts in 17 appearances. He finished 1-4 with three saves and a 4.62 ERA over 50 2/3 innings, with 50 strikeouts to 17 walks.

Christian Walker

Shorebird to watch: 1B Christian Walker (6-0, 220, age 22, from Limerick, Pa., bats and throws right) shares the lead or has it outright for Delmarva in average (.360), games (24), runs (17), hits (31), total bases (44), walks (10), on-base percentage (.440) and OPS (.952). He is second on the team with 16 RBI and three home runs. A 2012 fourth-round draft pick out of South Carolina, Walker is rated by Baseball America as the 12th-best prospect in the Orioles system. He turned down the Dodgers when he was drafted in the 49th round out of high school, going on to win two NCAA titles with the Gamecocks. He tied the College World Series record for career hits (28), then signed with the Orioles for $349,000. He spent last season with Aberdeen of the New York-Penn League, batting .284 with two homers and nine RBI over 22 games.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

South Atlantic League baseball

Lexington Legends
at Asheville Tourists

What: Three-game series

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

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

Major League affiliates: Kansas City Royals (Legends), Colorado Rockies (Tourists)

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Tuesday, RH Bryan Brickhouse (0-3, 3.00) vs. LH Jonathan Vargas (0-0, 5.40); Wednesday, RH Miguel Almonte (0-2, 4.85) vs. RH Shane Broyles (0-2, 7.16); Thursday, RH Christian Binford (1-1, 4.30) vs. RH Eddie Butler (1-0, 2.53).

Raul Mondesi

Legend to watch: SS Raul Mondesi (6-foot-1, 166 pounds, age 17, from Los Angeles, switch-hitter, throws right) is riding a seven-game hitting streak, going 10-for-28 with 11 RBI and three runs. Overall, he is batting .279 with 15 RBI, six runs, three stolen bases, a .351 on-base percentage and slugging .426. Full name is Raul Adalberto Mondesi. He is the son of former Major Leaguer Raul Mondesi, and the brother of Tampa Bay Rays minor-leaguer Raul Mondesi Jr. Raul Sr. was National League Rookie of the Year in 1994, the start of a 13-year big-league career. A free agent out of the Dominican Republic, Lexington’s Raul got a $2 million signing bonus at 16. Last year, as the youngest player in the Pioneer League, he batted .290 with three homers, 30 RBI, 35 runs and 11 stolen bases over 50 games with the Idaho Falls Chukars. Rated by Baseball America as the fifth-best prospect in the Royals’ system.

Francisco Sosa

Tourist to watch: LF/CF Francisco Sosa (6-4, 180, 23, from Esperanza, Dominican Republic, bats and throws right) also carries a seven-game hitting streak — 11-for-26 with seven RBI and eight runs. Overall, he is hitting .323 with three homers, 13 RBI, 17 runs, six steals, a .416 on-base percentage and .523 slugging. Signed by the Rockies as a non-drafted free agent in August 2007, Sosa spent 2008-10 with the Dominican Summer League Rockies, also getting five games in 2010 with the Casper Ghosts of the Pioneer League. He played all of 2011 at Casper, then joined the Tri-City Dust Devils of the Northwest League last year. He earned all-star honors with Tri-City, batting .275 with four homers, 36 RBI, 35 runs and 21 stolen bases over 68 games.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

South Atlantic League baseball

Greenville Drive
at Lexington Legends

What: Four-game series

When: Thursday through Sunday (7:05 Thursday through Saturday nights, 1:35 Sunday afternoon)

Where: Whitaker Bank Ballpark

Major League affiliates: Kansas City Royals (Legends), Boston Red Sox (Drive)

Tickets: Call (859) 422-7867

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Thursday, RH Miguel Almonte (0-1, 5.79) vs. RH Pat Light (0-0, 9.00); Friday, RH Christian Binford (0-1, 7.20) vs. LH Brian Johnson (0-1, 2.25); Saturday, LH Colin Rodgers (0-0, 0.00) vs. RH Frank Montas (0-0, 3.18); Sunday, LH Daniel Stumpf (0-0, 0.00) vs. LH Cody Kukuk (1-0, 3.60).

Braden Kapteyn

Drive to watch: RHP Braden Kapteyn (6-foot-4, 225 pounds, from Lansing, Ill., age 23) is well known to fans of the University of Kentucky, where he was a two-way player on the mound and at first base. At UK, Kapteyn went 7-3 with eight saves and 91 strikeouts over 71 2/3 inning. He batted .300 in 2011, driving in 42 runs and scoring 42. A 15th round draft pick of the Red Sox in 2011, Kapteyn appeared in 12 games in 2011 and 19 games last year for the Lowell Spinners of the New York-Penn League, going a combined 0-1 with seven saves. In two relief outings this season, Kapteyn has yielded four runs over four innings, losing his only decision. He held opponents to a .176 batting average over 14 innings in 2011, .107 over 34 2/3 last year and .083 thus far this season.

Cameron Gallagher

Legend to watch: C Cameron Gallagher (6-2, 220, from Lancaster, Pa., 20, bats/throws right) is 9-for-23 (.391) through his first six games, with four doubles, an RBI and two runs. He also has gunned down four of seven runners trying to steal. A 2011 second-round draft pick of the Royals, out of Manheim Township (Pa.) High School, he batted .434 with four homers, 19 RBI, 29 runs and 10 stolen bases as a senior. In 2011, over 28 games with the Arizona League Royals and Idaho Falls of the Pioneer League, Gallagher hit .157 with two homers, nine RBI and eight runs. Last year, over 36 games with Burlington of the Appalachian League, he batted .276 with three homers, 15 RBI and 13 runs; he was rated the 20th-best prospect in the league. Gallagher’s father, Glenn, pitched in the Blue Jays organization after being selected in the third round of the 1981 draft. Cameron’s brother, Austin, was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third round of the 2007 draft.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

South Atlantic League Baseball

Asheville Tourists
at Lexington Legends

What: Three-game series

When: Monday through Wednesday (7:05 Monday and Tuesday nights; 10:05 Wednesday morning)

Where: Whitaker Bank Ballpark

Tickets: Call (859) 422-7867

Major League affiliates: Kansas City Royals (Legends); Colorado Rockies (Tourists)

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Monday, LH Daniel Stumpf (0-0, 0.00) vs. RH Shane Broyles (0-0, 0.00); Tuesday, RH Aroni Nina (0-0, 0.00), vs. RH Eddie Butler (1-0, 0.00); Wednesday, RH Bryan Brickhouse (0-1, 0.00) vs. RH T.J. Oakes (0-0, 8.10).

Rosell Herrera

Tourist to watch: SS Rosell Herrera (6-foot-3, 180 pounds, from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; age 20; bats both, throws right) signed for $800,000 in 2009 and debuted in the Dominican Summer League in 2010 (.237, 1 HR, 26 RBI), earning all-star honors. He made his U.S. debut in 2011 with the Casper Ghosts of the Pioneer League (284-6-34). He split last year between the Tri-City Dust Devils of the Northwest League (.284-1-30, 47 games) and Asheville (.202-1-26, 63 games). Through three games this season, he’s off to a .308 start (3-for-13) with a double and solo homer.

Michael Antonio

Legend to watch: DH/3B Michael Antonio (6-1, 195, from New York; 21; bats  right, throws right) knocked an eighth-inning, two-out double to break a 2-2 tie Sunday as the Legends score their first victory of the season, 5-2 at Augusta. Antonio also drove in a run with a first-inning single. A third-round 2010 draft pick out of George Washington High School — the school that produced Manny Ramirez — Antonio batted .500 with 31 runs and 19 RBI. He passed on an offer to play for St. John’s University and signed for $411,000. He played 40 games for the Arizona League Royals in 2010, tying for sixth in the league in doubles (14) and eighth in triples (5) while batting .264 with a homer and 12 RBI. In 2011, Antonio played eight games for the Idaho Falls Chukars of the Pioneer League (.303-1-5) and 55 for the Burlington Royals of the Appalachian League (.262-10-37), tied for 10th in the league in homers and RBI. Last year, with the Kane County Cougars of the Midwest League, he batted .213 with five homers and 64 RBI over 123 games.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

Baseball

South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
vs. Rome Braves

What: Five-game series

When: Friday through Monday (5 p.m. doubleheader Friday, 7:05 p.m. Saturday, 1:35 p.m. Sunday, 12:05 p.m. Monday)

Where: Whitaker Bank Ballpark

Tickets: Call (859) 422-7867

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends), Atlanta Braves

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Friday, LH David Rollins (1-2, 3.12) vs. LH Alex Wood (4-3, 2.03) and TBA vs. RH Navery Moore (7-7, 4.28) ; Saturday, RH Chris Devenski (7-7, 4.28) vs. RH Greg Ross (7-8, 4.39); Sunday, RH Mike Foltynewicz (14-3, 2.91) vs. LH Fabian Williamson (2-4, 4.38); Monday, LH Luis Cruz (9-8, 4.05) vs. LH David Starn (1-2, 5.85).

William Beckwith

Brave to watch: 1B William Beckwith (6-foot-1, 235 pounds, age 22, bats left, throws right, from Crawford, Miss.) leads Rome in homers (14) and RBI (74), and is tied for the lead in doubles (25). Not counting teammates who have played 12 games or less, he also leads Rome in batting average (.292), on-base percentage (.362), slugging (.477) and OPS (.839). Over 101 games, Beckwith has scored 49 runs, stolen 16 bases and has 173 total bases. Selected by Atlanta in the 21st round of the 2010 draft out of George C. Wallace Community College in Alabama, he hit .243 with two homers and 18 RBI over 21 games with the Gulf Coast League Braves in 2010. Last year, with Danville of the Appalachian League, he improved to .282-11-45. This season, Beckwith is batting .250 when the bases are empty, .337 with runners on base and .389 with runners in scoring position.

Chris Devenski

Legend to watch: Saturday starter Chris Devenski (6-3, 195, 21, bats/throws right, from Long Beach, Calif.) came to the Houston organization from the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 3 to complete the Brett Meyers trade. Devenski went 6-5 with a 4.23 ERA for Kannapolis before being moved to Lexington. With the Legends, he is 1-2, 4.43 over four starts and 20 1/3 innings. The White Sox selected him in the 25th round of the 2011 draft out of Cal State Fullerton. Assigned last year to the Great Falls Voyagers of the Pioneer League, Devenski had no decisions and a save in seven relief outings, striking out nine and walking one over eight innings. Over 82 innings with the Intimidators and Legends this season, he has totaled 76 strikeouts and 34 walks.

Noteworthy: Katya Cengal, author of Bluegrass Baseball: A Year in the Minor League Life, will be signing books between games Friday. Cengel followed Kentucky’s four minor-league teams — the Legends, Louisville Bats, Bowling Green Hot Rods and Florence Freedom — through the 2010 season.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

Baseball

South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
vs. Asheville Tourists

What: Five-game series

When: Friday through Tuesday (7:05 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday; 1:35 Sunday)

Where: Whitaker Bank Ballpark

Tickets: Call (859) 422-7867

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends), Colorado Rockies

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Friday, RH Carlos Quevedo (4-2, 3.88) vs. RH Alex Gillingham (3-5, 4.31); Saturday, RH Mike Foltynewicz (9-1, 2.18) vs. RH Chris Jensen (7-2, 4.54); Sunday, LH Luis Cruz (5-5, 3.71) vs. RH Daniel Winkler (8-5, 4.75); Monday, RH Luis Ordosgoitti (1-3, 5.06) vs. RH Ben Alsup (8-3, 4.58); Tuesday, RH Jonas Dufek (5-1, 4.72) vs. RH Vianney Mayo (2-3, 5.29).

Jose Rivera

Tourist to watch: 2B Jose Rivera (5-foot-10, 170 pounds, bats/throws right, age 22, from Bayamon, Puerto Rico) comes into the series batting .305 with 22 RBI and 19 runs, with 36 hits in 36 games. That includes 10 doubles and a triple. Over his last 10 games, Rivera is 13-for-36 (.361) with a .928 OPS. He’s batting .432 versus left-handed pitchers and .247 against righties. Selected by the Rockies in the 23rd round of the 2009 draft, out of Universidad Interamericana, Rivera split the 2009 season between the Domincan Summer League Rockies and the Casper Ghosts of the Pioneer League, hitting a combined .188 with four RBI over 36 games. In 2010, playing 47 games for Casper, he hit .200 with 10 RBI. Last year, also with Casper, he improved to .228, hit his first homer as a pro, and drove in nine runs over 39 games.

Chan Jong Moon

Legend to watch: SS Chan Jong Moon (6-foot, 171 pounds, bats both, throws right, age 21, from Seoul, South Korea) is off to a solid start in the second half. In seven games since the all-star break, Moon is 8-for-26 (.308). Overall, for 31 games, he is batting .283 with two homers, 20 RBI and 17 runs, with a .381 on-base percentage. The first player in Legends history from Korea, Moon is batting .324 versus left-handed pitchers and .258 against righties. Signed by the Astros as a non-drafted free agent Aug. 9, 2009, he made his pro debut in 2010 with the Gulf Coast League Astros. Over 33 games, he batted .215 with six RBI and 15 runs. Last year, in 43 games with the Greeneville Astros of the Appalachian League, Moon batted .207 with a homer, 12 RBI and 19 runs.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

Baseball

South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
vs. Asheville Tourists

What: Four-game series

When: Thursday through Sunday (7:05 Thursday through Saturday nights, 1:35 p.m. Sunday)

Where: Whitaker Bank Ballpark

Tickets: Call (859) 422-7867

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends), Colorado Rockies

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Thursday, RH Luis Ordosgoitti (1-1, 4.06) vs. RH Alex Gillingham (3-4, 4.59); Friday, LH Luis Cruz (5-3, 3.63) vs. RH Chris Jensen (6-2, 5.32); Saturday, RH Jonas Dufek (3-1, 5.28) vs. RH Daniel Winkler (8-3, 4.93); Sunday, RH Nick Tropeano (5-4, 3.27) vs. LH Tyler Anderson (5-0, 3.32).

Will Swanner

Tourist to watch: All-star C Will Swanner (6-foot-2, 195 pounds, from Cardiff, Calif.) leads Asheville with a .620 slugging percentage and a gaudy 1.038 OPS. He ranks second on the team in batting average (.331), on-base percentage (.418) and doubles (18). Over 41 games, he also has seven homers, 31 RBI and 34 runs. Ranked by Baseball America as the 21st-best prospect in the Rockies system, the right-hander was drafted in the 15th round of the 2010 draft out of high school in Carlsbad, Calif., signing for $490,000. He spent his first two pro seasons with the Casper Ghosts of the Pioneer League, batting .277 with 17 homers and 37 RBI over 61 games. Swanner has been efficient versus both right-handers and left-handers this season, hitting .333 against the former and .325 facing the latter. With runners on base, he’s batting .358.

Mike Kvasnicka

Legend to watch: C Mike Kvasnicka (6-2, 213, from Lakeville, Minn.), a switch-hitter who throws right-handed, played third base for the Legends last season. In addition, he can play in the outfield corners. He got off to a slow start this year, but has steadily picked up the pace and is officially red-hot. Kvasnicka batted .118 in April, .229 in May and is off to a 13-for-36 (.361) start in June. Sunday, he homered from both sides of the plate at Greensboro. Over his last four games, Kvasnicka is 7-for-14 (.500), with three homers, six RBI and five runs. Selected by the Astros in the supplemental first round (33rd overall) of the 2010 draft, out of the University of Minnesota, he signed for $936,000. He is rated by Baseball America as the 25th-best prospect in the Houston system. His father, Jay, was an eighth-round pick in 1988 and made it to Class 3A in the Twins system. Mike broke in with the Tri-City ValleyCats of the New York-Penn League in 2010, batting .234 with five homers and 36 RBI for 68 games. Last year with the Legends, he hit .260 with four homers and 59 RBI over 128 games. He also was an SAL mid-season all-star.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

Promotions: Thursday is Autism Awareness Night and Thirsty Thursday ($1 beer and soft drinks). Friday, the first 1,000 fans will receive an Alan “Stein” beer stein in honor of the former Legends president and CEO; it’s also Bluegrass Mobility Night, to be followed by a fireworks show. Saturday is Bark in the Park Night for non-aggressive, well-behaved dogs; entertainment by America’s Best Frisbee Dogs. Also, it’s State Championship Night, honoring all high school athletes who have won individual and/or team championships.  Sunday, Father’s Day, all dads are invited to arrive early and play catch on the field with their son or daughter. It’s also Kids Club Sunday, including post-game opportunity to run the bases. Following the Legends-Tourists game, it’s the annual Guns ‘n Hoses softball game between the Lexington police and fire departments.