Mark Maloney on Kentucky sports

South Atlantic League baseball

Coming up

Lexington Legends vs. Greenville Drive

What: Three-game series

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

Where: Applebee’s Park

Tickets: (859) 422-7867

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Saturday, RH Kyle Greenwalt (8-12, 3.85) vs. RH Stolmy Pimental (9-7, 3.76); Sunday, RH Jordan Lyles (6-11, 3.23) vs. LH Fabian Williamson (10-4, 2.30); Monday, LH Brad Dydalewicz (7-5, 3.87) vs. RH Jeremy Kehrt (1-1, 3.51).

Will Middlebrooks

Drive to watch: 3B Will Middlebrooks (6-foot-3, 197 pounds, from Wake Village, Texas) took a 12-game hitting streak into Friday’s game against Kannapolis. Overall, Middlebrooks is batting .265 with seven homers and 54 RBI over 94 games. He has scored 49 runs and stolen five bases. Selected by the Boston Red Sox in the fifth round of the 2007 draft, he was 61-for-110 (.555) with five homers, 48 RBI and 22 steals in 38 games that year for Liberty-Eylau High School in Texarkana, Texas, and also went 13-0 pitching. With the Lowell Spinners last year, Middlebrooks hit .254 and led the team with 17 doubles. He also ranked second or third on the team in games (59), steals (10-for-10), hits (53) and extra-base hits (20). He led third basemen in the New York-Penn League with a fielding percentage of .927. Rated by Baseball America as having the “best infield arm” in the Red Sox system the last two years.

Russell Dixon

Legend to watch: RF Russell Dixon (6-2, 205, from Houston) has come alive at the plate, with hits in seven consecutive games until going 0-for-4 Thurday. Over those seven games, Dixon went 10-for-25 (.400), with six RBI and four runs scored. Included in that span were a two-hit game and a three-hit game — all five hits being doubles. Dixon struggled early in the season, hitting .134 over 30 games with the Legends. That earned him a demotion to extended spring training. He then moved to Tri-City of the New York-Penn League, where he hit .302 with a homer and 11 RBI over 38 games. In 12 games since rejoining the Legends, Dixon is hitting .244. Selected by the Houston Astros in the seventh round of the 2007 draft, out of Auburn University, Dixon hit .237 for the Legends last season, with three homers, 33 RBI and 15 stolen bases in 19 attempts.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Travis Driskill

Also of note: CF Jay Austin and LHP Michael Hacker have been activated from the disabled list. OF Steve Brown has been promoted to High-A Lancaster, while LHP Antonio Noguera moves to the inactive list. … The Astros have ticketed 10 Legends for Instructional League work, starting in mid-September: Austin, 2B Albert Cartwright, LHP Brad Dydalewicz, C Federico Hernandez, RHP Arcenio Leon, RHP Jordan Lyles, RHP Matt Nevarez, RHP Ross Seaton, RHP Henry Villar and SS Brandon Wikoff. Also scheduled to attend is LHP Patrick Urckfitz, who was recently promoted to High-A Lancaster. Instructors include Legends pitching coach Travis Driskill and two former Lexington staffers: Stubby Clapp (hitting coach) and Mike Smith (strength and conditioning coordinator). Pitching coach Charley Taylor, who missed this season due to bladder-cancer surgery, also plans to attend. … Mike Tauser’s most recent “Farmstros Five” players of the week is topped by Corpus Christi OF Drew Locke. The other four: Wikoff, Greeneville RHP Abraham Gonzalez and a pair of former Legends — Round Rock LHP Josh Muecke and Lancaster DH/OF/C Koby Clemens. For more details, see http://farmstros.blogspot.com/

(Wednesday’s game postponed; new start time for Thursday doubleheader — both games scheduled for seven innings.)

South Atlantic League baseball

Coming up

Lexington Legends vs. Lake County Captains

What: Four-game series

When: Thursday through Saturday (5:05 p.m. Thursday, then 7:05 each night)

Where: Applebee’s Park

Tickets: Call  (859) 422-7867 

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Thursday’s first game, LH David Duncan (1-1, 5.73) vs. LH T.J. House (2-8, 2.76); Thursday’s second game, RH Robert Bono (8-6, 2.90) vs. LH Kaimi Mead (1-2, 5.73); Friday, RH Kyle Greenwalt (7-9, 3.88) vs. RH Danny Salazar (2-3, 4.97); Saturday, RH Jordan Lyles (5-8, 3.25) vs. TBA.

Donnie Webb

Captain to watch: Switch-hitting LF Donnie Webb (5-foot-11, 190 pounds, from Stillwater, Okla.) leads the league in triples (10) and isfifth in stolen bases (27). He also is among the top 20 in hits (88), runs (46) and total bases (132). Batting .259 with five homers and 38 RBI, Webb had a four-hit game Monday against Greenville. Selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 10th round of the 2008 draft, out of Oklahoma State University, Webb played 51 games last season for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers of the New York-Penn League. He hit .218 with a homer, 17 RBI and six stolen bases, but finished the season on an uptick. He hit safely in 15 of the last 18 games, going 23-for-63 (.365), with a homer, two triples, 11 RBI, five steals and 15 runs.

Kyle Godfrey

Legend to watch: RHP Kyle Godfrey (6-2, 210, from Blue Ridge, Ga.) has made five relief appearances since joining the Legends during their last homestand. After giving up two earned runs over two innings in his Legends debut, he has not allowed an earned run since. Over 8 2/3 innings, Godfrey has no decisions, a 2.08 ERA, 12 strikeouts and no walks, while holding opponents to a .212 batting average. Before joining the Legends, Godfrey was 0-1 with a 5.54 ERA in three starts for the Tri-City ValleyCats of the New York-Penn League. Selected by the Houston Astros in the 13th round of the 2008 draft, out of Hiwassee (Tenn.) Junior College, Godfrey was 1-4 with a 6.90 ERA over 19 relief outings with Tri-City in 2008, striking out 32 over 30 innings.

Ebert Rosario

Also of note: These are the only four games of the season between former division rivals. Barring interleague play and/or reshaping of the the minor leagues, these also figure to be the last games between the Legends and Captains. Lake County, located in suburban Cleveland, is scheduled to leave the South Atlantic League after this season, beginning play in the Midwest League in 2010. … The Legends made a roster move Tuesday night as all-star 3B Ebert Rosario was promoted to the High-A Lancaster JetHawks of the California League. Taking his roster spot is IF/DH Jeff Hulett, in from Tri-City. Rosario, batting .272 with four homers, led the Legends in games (88), at-bats (320), hits (87), total bases (119) and, unfortunately, errors (26). He also was second in RBI (31), runs (32, tied with Albert Cartwright) and doubles (14). Hulett, son of former big-leaguer Tim Hulett, was a 2008 12th round draft pick out of Northwest Florida State College. He went 10-for-53 (.189) over 19 games with the ValleyCats, with a double, RBI, three walks and 23 strikeouts. Last season, also with Tri-City, Hulett hit .194 with a homer and 10 RBI over 33 games.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

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