Mark Maloney on Kentucky sports

South Atlantic League baseball

Coming up

Lexington Legends vs. Augusta GreenJackets

What: Four-game series

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

Where: Lake Olmstead Stadium, Augusta, Ga.

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Tuesday, RH Ross Seaton (6-6, 2.57) vs. RH Eric Stolp (2-1, 2.61); Wednesday, RH Kyle Greenwalt (5-7, 3.74) vs. RH Kyle Nicholson (4-6, 3.72); Thursday, RH Jordan Lyles (4-7, 3.27) vs. LH Eric Surkamp (5-2, 3.59); Friday, LH Brad Dydalewicz (4-2, 2.64) vs. LH Art Ronick (5-4, 2.58).

Josh Mazzola

GreenJacket to watch: 1B Josh Mazzola (6-foot-2, 195 pounds, from San Diego) took a 12-game hitting streak (17-for-50, 4 HR, 17 RBI, 12 R) into Monday night’s game at Rome. Overall, he is hitting .284 over 65 games. He leads Augusta in homers (8), RBI (league-leading 54), hits (69) and total bases (113), and ranks second in runs (35), doubles (16), triples (3), slugging (.465) and OPS (.812). Mazzola is batting .336 at home, .226 on the road. After attending Grossmont College and Missouri State University, he signed a free-agent contract with the San Francisco Giants in 2008. Mazzola hit .324 with five homers and 35 RBI last year over 47 games with the Arizona League Giants.

Kyle Greenwalt

Legend to watch: RHP Kyle Greenwalt (6-0, 200, from Sellersville, Pa.) is gunning for a second consecutive win. At 5-7, 3.74, he will be making his 15th start of the season. Over 79 1/3 innings, he 44 strikeouts to 13 walks. Selected by the Houston Astros in the 20th round of the 2007 draft, out of Souderton Area High School, Greenwalt went 0-7 with a 7.53 ERA with Greeneville in 2007. He also spent most of 2008 with Greeneville, improving to 6-4 with a 3.14 ERA. He also appeared in two games for the Tri-City ValleyCats, going 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Coming up

Lexington Legends vs. Augusta GreenJackets

What: Four-game series

When: Friday through Monday (7:05 each night, except Sunday at 2:05 p.m.)

Where: Applebee’s Park

Tickets: Call   (859) 422-7867  

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Friday, RH Kyle Greenwalt vs. LH Eric Surkamp (2-1, 4.54); Saturday, RH Jordan Lyles (2-4, 2.96) vs. RH Kyle Nicholson (3-4, 4.14); Sunday, LH Brad Dydalewicz (3-0, 0.38) vs. LH Ari Ronick (3-3, 3.76); Monday, RH Ross Seaton (5-4, 2.88) vs. LH Aaron King (1-2, 5.27).

Juan Perez

GreenJacket to watch: 3B Juan Perez (5-foot-11, 185 pounds, from Bronx, N.Y.) comes in with a six-game hitting streak (7-for-21, 4 RBI, 4 runs). Overall, he is hitting .279 with five homers, 19 RBI and 23 runs over 43 games. He is tied for fourth in the South Atlantic League (through Wednesday) with 15 doubles and tied for 12th with 46 hits. He also has six stolen bases in seven attempts. After batting .215 in April, Perez is hitting .337 in May. The Giants selected Perez in the 13th round of last year’s draft, out of Western Oklahoma State Junior College.

Brad Dydalewicz

Legend to watch: Sunday starter Brad Dydalewicz (6-1, 180, from Spicewood, Texas) will be making his first home appearance since April 17. He spent three weeks on the disabled list before being activated May 20 at Charleston, S.C. He pitched two innings that night, and was the winner with a five-inning start Monday at Savannah. Over those two games, he has given up a run, five hits and five walks, while striking out four. Overall, Dydalewicz has worked 24 innings over five starts, allowing just two runs (one earned), while going 3-0 with an 0.38 ERA. The Astros selected him in the eighth round of last year’s draft, out of Lake Travis (Texas) High School.

Phil Disher

Ricky Bennett

Also of note: Legends 1B Phil Disher is scheduled to travel to Houston for evaluation by team doctors. He has been bothered most of the season with a hip injury. … C Max Sapp, a member of the Legends the past two seasons, continues to recover at his home in Florida after suffering a life-threatening bout of viral meningitis and seizures. According to Ricky Bennett, assistant general manager and director of player development for the Astros, Sapp is schedule to remain on medication until mid-July. Bennett said he doesn’t expect Sapp to play this season, but may make his return in fall instructional ball or in a winter league. … Friday is Blue Grass Energy Night and Cartoon Character Night at Applebee’s Park. The Cat in the Hat, Franklin the Turtle, Buzz Lightyear, Wilma Flinstone, George Jetson and some of the characters from Scooby Doo are scheduled to be on hand. Miss Kentucky USA, Maria Montgomery of Danville, will throw a ceremonial first pitch. A fireworks show is scheduled after the game. … Saturday’s game will include entertainment by Chicago-based percussion group The Bucket Boys. A Girl Scout campout in the outfield will follow the game. … Sunday’s game will be preceded by a youth baseball clinic. After the game, kids can run the bases. … Monday is “Kids Eat Free Night.” Children under 12 will receive vouchers for a kids’ combo meal (hot dog, chips and drink) as they enter the park. 

Radio: WLXG AM-1300