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/

Lexington Legends Brian Wabick, Brian Pellegrini and Jay Austin have earned organizational Player of the Month honors for June.

The Houston Astros player development department announced Monday the awards for each of the club’s minor-league teams, as determined by each field staff.

Brian Wabick

Wabick, a right-hander, was the Legends’ pitcher of the month. He appeared in six games, including a spot start, going 2-0 with a 2.76 ERA. Wabick gave up five earned runs of 16 1/3 innings.

Brian Pellegrini

Pellegrini, who has seen action at DH, left field and mostly first base, earned his second straight offensive player of the month award. Pellegrini hit .437 (38-for-87) in June, with nine homers and 26 RBI over 24 games.

Jay Austin

Austin, a center fielder, is the Defensive Player of the Month. He has a season fielding percentage of .985 (one error, 130 total chances).

Other players of month in the Astros organization include former Legends Bud Norris and J.R. Towles of Triple-A Round Rock, Polin Trinidad and Wladimir Sutil of Double-A Corpus Christi, and Fernando Abad of High-A Lancaster.

Bud Norris

J.R. Towles

RHP Norris made four starts in June, going 1-1 with a 0.96 ERA over 28 innings. He leads the Pacific Coast League in ERA (2.52) and strikeouts (92).

Towles, a catcher, took offensive honors with a .441 on-base percentage — 11-for-43 (.256) with 12 walks.

Polin Trinidad

Wladimir Sutil

LHP Trinidad was 3-2 with a 0.72 ERA in June, totaling 37 1/3 innings. With an overall record of 7-5 with one save and a 2.94 ERA over 13 games, Trinidad has been promoted to Round Rock.

Sutil, an infielder, snagged offensive honors with the Hooks by hitting .312 (34-for-109) with 16 runs, nine RBI and eight doubles.

Fernando Abad

LHP Abad worked seven games for the JetHawks, going 1-0 with a save and 1.06 ERA over 17 innings.

Other players recognized include Round Rock OF Yordanny Ramirez, Corpus Christi IF Drew Meyer and Lancaster OF J.B. Shuck (defense), and Lancaster OF Jon Gaston (offense). Recognized by the rookie-level Dominican Summer League Astros: RHP Leonardo Alayon, OF Ricardo Heredia (offense) and IF Hector Rodriguez (defense).

South Atlantic League baseball

Coming up

                              Lexington Legends
   vs. Rome Braves

What: Four-game series

When: Saturday through Tuesday (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): Saturday, RH Robert Bono (7-4, 2.16) vs. RH Paul Clemens (4-3, 5.25); Sunday, RH Ross Seaton (6-7, 2.73) vs. RH Randall Delgado (1-7, 5.66); Monday, RH Kyle Greenwalt (6-7, 3.61) vs. LH Dimaster Delgado (1-2, 3.62); Tuesday, RH Jordan Lyles (5-7, 3.15) vs. RH Zeke Spruill (7-4, 3.32).

Adam Milligan

Brave to watch: OF Adam Milligan (6-foot-3, 210 pounds, from Morristown, Tenn.) was promoted to Rome on Friday, up from Danville of the Appalachian League. Milligan hit .439 with two homers, five doubles, a triple and 10 RBI in nine games with Danville. Atlanta took him in the sixth round of the 2008 draft, the third time the Braves selected the left-handed-hitting power hitter (who throws right-handed). He backed out of a committment to Vanderbilt, signing for $350,000. Milligan roomed with the son of Braves scouting director Roy Clark while attending Walters State (Tenn.) Community College. He also was recruited for football, out of Hardin County High School, where he was a Tennessee all-stater three years in a row. He played plenty of positions — quarterback, running back, receiver, kick-returner and safety.

Brian Pellegrini

Legend to watch: 1B Brian Pellegrini (6-1, 240, from Willoughby, Ohio) has tormented SAL pitchers since joining the Legends on May 16. Pellegrini began the season with High-A Lancaster of the California League, batting .171 with seven homers and 15 RBI over 30 games. Over 40 games with the Legends (through Thursday), Pellegrini is hitting .366 with 12 homers and 35 RBI. His 12 homers tie him for fifth in the league. He does not have enough appearances to qualify for league leaders in most categories, but his .366 batting, .441 on-base and .697 slugging numbers, as well as a gaudy 1.138 OPS would otherwise rank first. He hit .437 (38-for-87) with nine homers and 26 RBI in June. Pellegrini also spent much of last season with the Legends, notching 21 homers and 69 RBI over 87 games. His 33 career homers are a club record. Selected by the Houston Astros in the 12th round of the 2007 draft, out of St. Bonaventure University, he was the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year in 2006.

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.