Mark Maloney on Kentucky sports

Baseball

South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
at Hickory Crawdads

What: Three-game series

When: Tuesday through Thursday (7 each night)

Where:  L.P. Frans Stadium (Hickory, N.C.)

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends), Texas Rangers

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Tuesday, RH Mike Foltynewicz (14-3, 2.67) vs. RH Nick Martinez (7-6, 4.51); Wednesday, LH Luis Cruz (9-7, 4.07) vs. RH Jerad Eickhoff (12-7, 4.73); Thursday, RH Jonas Dufek (6-4, 5.57) vs. LH Will Lamb (5-8, 4.35).

Justin Gominsky

Legend to watch: OF Justin Gominsky (6-foot-4, 185 pounds, bats/throws right, age 23, from Woodbury, Minn .) has raised his average 16 points since the all-star break. Batting .238 overall, Gominsky has two homers, 32 RBI and 36 runs, plus 10 stolen bases, over 89 games. He is hitting .269 against left-handers, .225 versus righties. Selected by the Astros in the 11th round of the 2011 draft, out of the University of Minnesota, he earned New York-Penn League mid-season all-star honors last year with the Tri-City ValleyCats. Over 60 games with Tri-City, Gominsky batted .237 with 18 RBI, 35 runs and 12 stolen bases. At Mahtomedi (Minn.) High School, he also was a standout wide receiver in football.

Will Lamb

Crawdad to watch: Thursday starting pitcher Will Lamb (6-6, 180, b/t left, age 21, from Newport News, Va.) came into the season ranked by Baseball America as the 21st-best prospect in the Rangers system. Selected by Texas in the second round of the 2011 draft, after his junior year at Clemson University, he broke in by playing 12 games (seven starts) for the Spokane Indians of the Northwest League and four starts for the Crawdads. Combined, he finished 3-1 with a 2.75 ERA, 62 strikeouts and 31 walks over 56 innings. This season, at 5-8, 4.35  over 103 1/3 innings, Lamb has struck out 76 and walked 52. At the all-star break, he was 0-6 with a 4.93 ERA. Since then, he is 5-2 with a 3.96 ERA.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

Baseball

South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
vs. Greensboro Grasshoppers

What: Three-game series

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

Where: Whitaker Bank Ballpark

Tickets: Call (859) 422-7867

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends), Miami Marlins

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Monday, RH Chris Devenski (7-6, 4.52) vs. RH Jake Esch (0-1, 6.17); Tuesday RH Mike Foltynewicz (14-3, 2.78) vs. RH Jose Urena (8-5, 3.38); Wednesday, LH Luis Cruz (9-6, 3.89) vs. RH Josh Hodges (7-8, 3.73).

Matt Smith

Grasshopper to watch: All-star 1B Matt Smith (6-foot-3, 230 pounds, age 24, bats/throws right, from Milan, Ga.) leads Greensboro with a .495 slugging percentage and is tied for fourth in the league with 17 home runs. Batting .278 over 78 games, he has driven in 65 runs and scored 57. Thirteen of his 82 hits have been doubles, and he has 146 total bases to go with an .852 OPS.  Smith wrapped up a four-year career at Ole Miss in 2011. Over 228 games, he batted .321 for the Rebels, with 41 homers, 183 RBI and 185 runs scored.

Brandon Meredith

Legend to watch: OF Brandon Meredith (6-2, 230, 22, b/t right, from San Diego) is having a solid season, batting .284 with 15 homers, 48 RBI and 52 runs over 82 games. Included are 18 doubles, four triples and 156 total bases. He also has stolen 11 bases in 14 attempts, while compiling a .385 on-base percentage, .522 slugging and .906 OPS. For 16 games this month, Meredith is batting .310 with four homers, 13 RBI and 14 runs. Selected by the Astros in the sixth round of the 2011 draft out of San Diego State University, he played 35 games last year for Tri-City of the New York-Penn League. He wound up batting .244 with a homer, 10 RBI, 24 runs and seven stolen bases.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

Baseball

South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
at Rome Braves

What: Four-game series

When: Thursday through Sunday (7 Thursday through Saturday nights, 5 p.m. Sunday)

Where: State Mutual Stadium, Rome, Ga.

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

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Thursday, RH Luis Ordosgoitti (5-4, 5.25) vs. LH Fabian Williamson (1-3, 3.82); Friday, RH Jonas Dufek (6-2, 5.05) vs. LH David Starn (1-1, 5.64); Saturday, LH David Rollins (1-1, 3.65) vs. RH Greg Ross (5-8, 4.66); Sunday, RH Chris Devenski (7-6, 4.52) vs. LH Alex Wood (3-2, 1.38).

Zach Johnson

Legend to watch: 1B Zach Johnson (5-foot-11, 200 pounds, bats/throws right/right, age 24, from San Ramon, Calif.) leads the SAL with 104 RBI, a franchise record. He broke the Legends record of 98 RBI, set by Jake Goebbert in 2010. Johnson shares the team lead in home runs, 15, with Mike Kvasnicka. In addition, Johnson is batting .246 with 57 runs, 62 walks, 193 total bases, a .338 on-base percentage, .423 slugging and .762 OPS. Selected by the Astros in the 15th round of the 2011 draft, out of Oklahoma State University, he played for the Tri-City ValleyCats of the New York-Penn League last year. Over 72 games, Johnson batted .262 with five homers, 40 RBI and 31 runs. A mid-season all-star for the Legends, he is hitting .255 versus right-handers, .222 against lefties.

William Beckwith

Brave to watch: 1B William Beckwith (6-1, 235, B/T L/R, turns 22 Sunday, from Crawford, Miss.) leads Rome with 13 homers, 65 RBI and 96 hits. Batting .296 with a .363 on-base percentage, .485 slugging and .847 OPS, he is high on the team rankings with 44 runs, 22 doubles, 157 total bases and 14 stolen bases. Selected by Atlanta in the 21st round of the 2010 draft, out of George C. Wallace (Ala.) Community College, Beckwith played 21 games with the Gulf Coast League Braves that year, batting .243 with two homers, 18 RBI and eight runs. He played for Danville (Va.) last year, batting .282 with 11 homers, 45 RBI and 41 runs. He has been consistent throughout this season, reaching a high point in July when he batted .324 with six homers and 29 RBI over 28 games.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

Baseball

South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
vs. Hagerstown Suns

What: Four-game series

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

Where: Whitaker Bank Ballpark

Tickets: Call (859) 422-7867

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends), Washington Nationals

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Saturday, RH Juri Perez (0-0, 0.76 with Tri-City ValleyCats) vs. RH Alex Meyer (6-4, 3.32); Sunday, RH Mike Foltynewicz (10-2, 2.59) RH Chris McKenzie (2-2, 7.54); Monday, LH Luis Cruz (6-5, 3.58) vs. LH Kylin Turnbull (4-4, 4.82); Tuesday, RH Luis Ordosgoitti (2-3, 5.45) vs. RH Taylor Hill (9-4, 4.58).

Note: Yours truly will be on vacation until mid-August. Keep up with what I’m doing at the Summer Olympic Games by checking my tweets — @MarkMaloneyHL — and my personal website: www.monkeyalarm.com.

Brian Goodwin

Sun to watch: CF Brian Goodwin (6-foot-1, 195 pounds, age 21, bats left, throws right, from Rocky Mount, N.C.) is batting .313 with six homers 32 RBI and 42 runs scored over 54 games. He has more walks (40) than strikeouts (39), with 14 stolen bases and a .927 OPS. Rated by Baseball America as the fifth-best prospect in the Nationals system, he was selected in the supplemental first round of the 2011 draft (34th overall) and signed for $3 million, out of Miami Dade Junior College. He had a good 2010 freshman season for North Carolina, but then was suspended for 2011. He signed just ahead of the Aug. 15 deadline and did not play pro ball last year. He’s batting .352 versus right-handed pitchers and .253 against lefties. Batting .308 at the all-star break, he’s up to .321 in 21 games since.

Nolan Fontana

Legend to watch: SS Nolan Fontana (5-11, 192, age 21, bats left, throws right, from Winter Garden, Fla.) signed less than three weeks ago after being selected by the Astros in the second round (61st overall) of last month’s draft, out of the University of Florida. Over seven games, he’s 7-for-23 (.304) with three RBI, two doubles and five runs. He has drawn 13 walks, struck out five times and is 4-for-4 in stolen-base attempts. “Nolan is a player that we are very excited about,” General Manager Juff Luhnow said when the Astros signed him. “He was a proven performer from the college ranks and, for us, he represents everything that we’re going to be looking for in the future. He’s a player that excels defensively at a premium position and has proven his capabilities offensively as well. With Florida, Fontana hit .284 with 10 doubles, nine homers, 40 RBI, 59 runs and a .406 on-base percentage for 66 games. He helped the Gators reach the College World Series and was named to the All-Southeastern Conference Defensive Team three years in a row.

Radio: WLXG-!M 1300

Baseball

South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
at Greensboro Grasshoppers

What: Four-game series

When: Monday through Thursday (7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday; 12:30 p.m. Wednesday)

Where: NewBridge Bank Park (Greensboro, N.C.)

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends), Miami Marlins

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Monday, RH Mike Foltynewicz (9-1, 2.13) vs. LH Charlie Lowell (3-3, 4.35); Tuesday, LH Luis Cruz (5-4, 3.70) vs. RH Jose Urena (5-4, 3.36); Wednesday, RH Luis Ordosgoitti (1-2, 4.40) vs. RH Austin Brice (5-2, 4.26); Thursday, RH Jonas Dufek (5-1, 4.72) vs. RH Josh Hodges (5-5, 3.78).

Jonas Dufek

Legend to watch: Thursday starting RHP Jonas Dufek (6-foot-5, 218 pounds, will turn 24 Saturday, from Omaha, Neb.) has earned wins in his last four games. At 5-1, 4.72 overall, he has appeared in 14 games, including one in relief. Over 74 1/3 innings, Dufek has 59 and walked 20, holding opponents to a .277 batting average. In June, he is 4-0, 2.52 with 23 strikeouts to four walks, holding foes to a .236 average. Selected by the Astros in the ninth round of the 2011 draft, out of Creighton University, Dufek played last year for the Tri-City ValleyCats of the New York-Penn League. He made 11 starts, going 3-4 with a 3.71 ERA, one complete game, 37 strikeouts and 16 walks over 51 innings. With Creighton, Dufek was named first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference last year and was MVP of the conference tournament. In addition, he was named third-team All-American.

Brent Keys

Grasshopper to watch: SAL all-star Brent Keys (6-1, 210, age 21, bats/throws L, from Simi Valley, Calif.) is batting .355 with four homers and 32 RBI through Saturday. He leads the Grasshoppers in average, runs (53), hits (89), stolen bases (15), on-base percentage (.427) and OPS (.893), and is second in total bases (117 games). Over 66 games and 251 at-bats, Keys has more walks (32) than strikeouts (22). Selected by the Marlins in the 17th round of the 2009 draft, out of Simi Valley High School, Keys broke in with the Gulf Coast League Marlins in 2009, then advanced to the NYPL’s Jamestown Jammers in 2010. He divided time last season between Jamestown and Greensboro. For three minor-league seasons leading into this year, Keys batted .282 with a homer, 61 RBI, 81 runs and 35 stolen bases in 158 games.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

(Updates Power rotation)

Baseball

South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
at West Virginia Power

What: Four-game series

When: Thursday through Sunday (7:05 Thursday through Saturday nights, 2:05 p.m. Sunday)

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

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends), Pittsburgh Pirates

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Thursday, LH Luis Cruz (5-3, 3.49) vs. LH Zack Dodson (1-5, 6.12); Friday, RH Luis Ordosgoitti (1-1, 4.38) vs. RH Robby Rowland (2-1, 3.12); Saturday, RH Jonas Dufek (4-1, 4.87) vs. RH Ryan Hafner (0-4, 6.34); Sunday, RH Nick Tropeano (5-4, 2.99) vs. RH Zack Von Rosenberg (0-1, 4.73). 

Murilo Gouvea

Legend to watch: RHP Murilo Gouvea (6-foot-2, 210 pounds, from Sao Paulo, Brazil) has become a force in the bullpen.  In addition to his 2-3 record, one save and 2.66 ERA, Gouvea leads the team with eight holds. All of his 26 appearances have come in relief, spanning 40 2/3 innings. He has notched 48 strikeouts to 11 walks, holding opponents to a .211 batting average. Although he has made 13 appearances each home and away, all of his decisions have come at home, where he has a 3.92 ERA. On the road, his ERA is 1.35. Gouvea has improved each month, posting a 4.11 ERA in April, 2.25 in May and 0.96 so far in June. Originally signed as free agent Nov. 17, 2006,  by the White Sox, he pitched for the Dominican Summer League White Sox in 2007, Bristol of the Appalachian League in 2008, Bristol, the SAL’s Kannapolis Intimidators and Greeneville Astros in 2009, the Tri-City ValleyCats of the New York-Penn League in 2010, and Tri-City and Lexington in 2011. Combined, he went 10-16 with three saves and a 5.09 ERA, striking out 292 and walking 116 over 252 2/3 innings. With the Legends last year, Gouvea was 1-3 with a 3.98 ERA in 30 relief appearances spanning 74 2/3 innings, with 83 strikeouts.

Jose Osuna

Power to watch: 1B Jose Osuna (6-2, 213, from Trujillo, Venezuela), batting .267, ranks fourth on the team in homers (4), RBI (29) and total bases (97). He also is tied for second in doubles (20) and is third in hits (65) and runs (34). Signed by the Pirates as an undrafted free agent for $275,000 in 2009, Osuna, 19, is rated by Baseball America as the 30th-best prospect in the Pittsburgh system. He hit .251 with 10 homers and 43 RBI in 64 games with the Venezuelan Summer League Pirates in 2010. Last year, he hit .331 with four homers and 32 RBI over 48 games with the Gulf Coast League Pirates, and went 2-for-8 (.250) in two games with the NYPL’s State College Spikes. Osuna, who bats and throws right-handed, is hitting .204 versus left-handed pitchers this season, .286 against righties.

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.

Baseball

South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
vs. West Virginia Power

What: Three-game series

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

Where: Whitaker Bank Ballpark

Tickets: Call (859) 422-7867

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends), Pittsburgh Pirates

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Monday, RH Jonas Dufek (2-1, 5.30) vs. RH Zack Von Rosenberg (0-0, 0.00); Tuesday, RH Nick Tropeano (5-3, 2.82) vs. RH Nicholas Kingham (1-4, 5.51); Wednesday, RH Mike Foltynewicz (8-1, 2.07) vs. LH Zack Dodson (1-4, 5.61).

Willy Garcia

Power to watch: OF Willy Garcia (6-foot-3, 180 pounds, from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) is batting .274 with eight homers and 41 RBI going into play Sunday. He went 3-for-5 Friday and again Saturday. In seven June games, Garcia is 10-for-28 (.357). He leads the Power in RBI, ranks second in homers and third in hits (59) and total bases (93). Garcia, who throws and bats righty, is at his best against left-handed pitchers, batting .341 (.257 vs. RHP). Signed by the Pirates as a non-drafted free agent, Garcia made his pro debut in 2010 with the Dominican Summer League Pirates, batting .250 with a homer and 22 RBI for 51 games. Last year, over 47 games with the Gulf Coast League Pirates and three games with the State College Spikes of the New York-Penn League, he batted .266 with five homers and 35 RBI.

Carlos Quevedo

Legend to watch: RHP Carlos Quevedo (6-2, 239, from Valencia, Venezuela) is one of seven Legends selected for the South Atlantic League All-Star Game. Going into play Sunday, Quevedo had made 19 appearances, including two starts, and worked 44 2/3 innings. At 4-1 overall, with three saves and a 2.82 ERA, Quevedo had piled up 49 strikeouts and walked only five, while holding opponents to a .222 batting average. Exclude his two starts and his numbers are even more impressive: 4-0, three saves, 0.96 ERA, .171 batting average. Signed by the Astros as a non-drafted free agent in 2007, he spent the 2007-08 seasons with the Venezuelan Summer League Astros, combining to go 8-2, with 78 strikeouts and 26 walks over 122 2/3 innings. He moved to the Greeneville Astros of the Appalachian League in 2009 (2-7, 5.6), the Tri-City ValleyCats of the New York-Penn League in 2010 (7-3, 3.06) and to the Legends last year (8-6, 4.53). Starting in 26 of 27 appearances, he led the 2011 Legends in victories and innings pitched (151). He also had the lowest walks-per-nine-innings ration in the SAL, yielding 19 walks all year.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

Promotions: Monday is “Kids Eat Free” night; children 12 and under get a food voucher. Tuesday is “35-cent hot dog” night; enough said. Wednesday is “free hot dog” night for kids 12 and under; fans must pick up a hot dog voucher at a Lexington Meijer location.

Baseball

South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
at Lakewood BlueClaws

What: Three-game series

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

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

Major League affiliations: Houston Astros (Legends), Philadelphia Phillies

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Tuesday, LH Luis Cruz (5-1, 2.84) vs. LH Ethan Stewart (0-6, 4.21); Wednesday, RH Jonas Dufek (1-1, 5.84) vs. RH Colin Klevan (3-4, 3.59); Thursday, RH Nick Tropeano (4-3, 2.94) vs. LH Lino Martinez (3-3, 6.79).

Drew Muren

Legend to watch: OF Drew Muren (6-foot-6, 195 pounds, from Ramona, Calif.), who bats left-handed and throws righty, takes a .289 batting average into the series, with 13 RBI and 22 runs. Among his 44 hits are 11 doubles, a triple and two homers. He’s riding a four-game hitting streak, going 7-for-17 (.412). He has four stolen bases, a .341 on-base percentage and .414 slugging. Against right-handed pitchers, Muren is batting .321; against lefties, .200. Selected by the Astros in the 22nd round of the 2011 draft, Muren was an All-Big West selection for Cal State Northridge last year. He also was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates, in the 35th round of the 2010 draft. Last summer, the Astros placed him with the Tri-City ValleyCats of the New York-Penn League. He was named the team’s Defensive Player of the Month for July and finished the season with a .257 average, two homers, 21 RBI and eight stolen bases over 67 games.

Aaron Altherr

BlueClaw to watch: OF Aaron Altherr  (6-5, 190, from Buckeye, Ariz.) leads the BlueClaws in hits (49), doubles (13) and total bases (78), and shares the lead in triples (2). Batting .241, with four homers, 24 RBI, 23 runs and 17 stolen bases, he has not committed an error. Selected by the Phillies in the ninth round of the 2009 draft, out of Agua Fria High School in Avondale, Ariz., Altherr is rated by Baseball America as the 15th-best prospect in the Philadelphia system. He spent 2009 and part of 2010 with the Gulf Coast League Phillies, parts of 2010 and 2011 with the Williamsport Crosscutters of the New York-Penn League, and part of last season with the BlueClaws. He earned mid-season all-star honors with the Crosscutters. For those three combined seasons, he batted .255 with eight homers, 82 RBI, 94 runs and 55 stolen bases over 195 games. This season, he’s batting .272 at home, .216 on the road. He bats and throws right-handed.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

Baseball

South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
vs. Rome Braves

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), Atlanta Braves

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Thursday, RH Jonas Dufek (1-1, 5.56) vs. RH Ryan Weber (1-1, 6.30); Friday, RH Nick Tropeano (3-3, 3.05) vs. RH Navery Moore (3-1, 3.28); Saturday, LH Evan Grills (1-0, 3.80) vs. RH Greg Ross (0-3, 5.93); Sunday, RH Mike Foltynewicz (6-1, 2.27) vs. RH Ernesto Silva (0-4, 6.47). 

Kyle Kubitza

Brave to watch: 3B Kyle Kubitza (6-foot-3, 190 pounds, from Arlington, Texas) leads Rome in runs (32), triples (4), homers (7), RBI (23), walks (31) and total bases (79), while batting .247. Selected by Atlanta in the third round of the 2011 draft, out of Texas State, Kubitza is the highest-drafted position player in Bocats history and third-highest overall. He set school a record for walks (125) and ranked second in homers (27). He signed for $261,000 and  is rated by Baseball America as the 17th-best prospect in the Braves’ system. Last summer, with Danville of the Appalachian League, Kubitza batted .321 with a homer, 34 RBI and 36 runs over 44 games. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed.

Jason Chowning

Legend to watch: RHP Jason Chowning (6-2, 178, from Louisville) leads Lexington with nine saves and an 0.75 ERA. He has made 17 appearances, all in relief, spanning 24 innings. With a 1-2 record, he has held opponents to a .133 batting average, while striking out 36 and walking eight. Out of Eastern High School, Chowning briefly attended the University of Kentucky before moving to Texarkana Community College. The Astros selected him in the 28th round of the 2010 draft, out of the University of Oklahoma. That summer, pitching for the Tri-City ValleyCats of the New York-Penn League, Chowning went 2-2 with a 3.22 ERA. Last year, with the Legends, he finished 4-4, with two saves and a 2.45 ERA.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300