Mark Maloney on Kentucky sports

Baseball

                                  South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
vs. Hickory Crawdads

What: Three-game series

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

Where: Whitaker Bank Ballpark

Tickets: Call (859) 422-7867

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

Alaniz

Foltynewicz

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Thursday, RH Mike Foltynewicz (2-6, 5.09) vs. RH Roman Mendez (5-1, 3.59); Friday, RH Ruben Alaniz (3-4, 5.72) vs. RH Matt Thompson (2-3, 3.67); Saturday, RH Tanner Bushue (6-1, 3.22) vs. Luke Jackson (0-1, 4.11).

Josh Richmond

Crawdad to watch: RF Josh Richmond (6-foot-3, 215 pounds, from Cincinnati) is one of two Louisville Cardinals on the Hickory roster (with 1B Andrew Clark). Clark has hits in five of his last six games. Overall, he is batting .254 with five homers, 23 RBI and 36 runs scored. He also has 18 doubles and a triple among his 49 hits, and has stolen four bases in five attempts. Richmond has a .351 on-base percentage, slugging .435. A 12th round draft pick last year, he played 35 games for the Spokane Indians of the Northwest League last summer, batting .297 with three homers, 19 RBI and 23 runs. Baseball America rated him as the 29th-best prospect in the Rangers system coming into this season. In three years at U of L, Richmond hit .291with 14 homers, 77 RBI and 117 runs. His college play was limited when he was hit by a pitch on his left hand in 2009, which led to surgery the next winter. He reinjured the hand last year, causing him to miss 41 college games.

Tanner Bushue

Legend to watch: Saturday’s starter, RHP Tanner Bushue (6-4, 207, from Kinmundy, Ill.) leads the Legends in wins and leads starters in ERA. At 6-1 with a 3.22 ERA, Bushue has struck out 34 and walked 12 over 10 starts and 50 1/3 innings. He has pitched shutout ball in two of his last three starts, yielding two runs in the other game. Coming into the season, Baseball America rated him the No. 8 prospect in the Astros system. He was a second-round pick in the 2009 draft, out of South Central (Ill.) High School, where he also played basketball. He joined the Gulf Coast League Astros in 2009, going 1-0 with a 2.42 ERA over five starts, with 19 strikeouts and five walks over 22 1/3 innings. This is his second season with the Legends. Last year, he was the opening day starter. He led the team in innings pitched (133 2/2) but also led the league in homers allowed (18). Over 25 starts, he went 7-8 with a 4.11 ERA, 114 strikeouts and 48 walks. He missed two weeks of action due to a toe injury that required post-season surgery.

Brian Pellegrini

Promotions: Thirsty Thursday ($1 drinks) also marks the second and final ”Bark in the Park” game. Fans may bring their dogs to the game, provided they are leashed and behaved, for a minimum $1 donation to the Lexington Humane Society. … Friday is Military Appreciation Night in honor of those who are serving or who have served in the military. The Legends also will recognize their single-season and career leader in home runs, Brian Pellegrini, who hit 27 of his 48 career homers in 2009. Pellegrini will be on hand, and the first 1,000 fans to enter (gates open at 6 p.m.) will receive a Pellegrini bobblehead. … Saturday is NASCAR Night, with fans receiving a free car magnet. Fireworks will follow the game. … Also, a free youth baseball clinic is scheduled Saturday, 8 a.m.-noon. For details, visit www.lexingtonlegends.com or www.chevyyouthsports.com.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Baseball

South Atlantic
    League

 * * * *

Lexington Legends vs. Hickory Crawdads

What: Five-game series

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

Where: Applebee’s Park

Tickets: Call (859) 422-7867

Affiliations: Houston Astros (Legends), Texas Rangers (Crawdads)

Juan Minaya

Jose Cisnero

Luis Cruz

Brad Dydalewicz

Robby Donovan

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Wednesday, RH Juan Minaya (3-8, 5.72) vs. RH Matt Thompson (6-6, 4.06); Thursday, RH Jose Cisnero (3-5, 4.46) vs. RH Neil Ramirez (7-5, 5.24); Friday, LH Luis Cruz (4-1, 2.88) vs. RH Braden Tullis (3-0, 2.18); Saturday, LH Brad Dydalewicz (0-2, 8.06) vs. LH Robbie Erlin (4-2, 1.63); Sunday, RH Robby Donovan (7-5, 3.65) vs. RH Jake Brigham (1-1, 2.00).

Jared Bolden

Crawdad to watch: CF/1B Jared Bolden (6-foot-2, 205 pounds, from Lynchburg, Va.) is 16-for-43 (.372) in 11 games since being demoted from Bakersfield of the California League. He has multiple hits in four of his last five games. Bolden went 1-for-4 against the Legends on July 3. Selected by the Rangers in the ninth round of the 2008 draft, out of Virginia Commonwealth, Bolden hit .263 with three homers and 28 RBI for the Spokane Indians of the Northwest League in 2008. Last year, playing 107 games for the Crawdads and six contests for Triple-A Oklahoma City, Bolden hit a combined .244 with two homers and 35 RBI. This season, over 62 games with Bakersfield, Bolden hit .219 with a homer and 15 RBI.

Renzo Tello

Legend to watch: CF Renzo Tello (6-1, 210, from Puerto Cabello, Venezuela) joined the Legends on Sunday, promoted from Tri-City of the New York-Penn League. Over his first two games, he is 3-for-6 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. With Tri-City, Tello went 10-for-47 (.213) with a homer, five RBI and five runs. Signed at 17 by the Astros as a non-drafted free agent after the 2004 season, Renzo hit .264 with 15 homers, 82 RBI and 88 runs scored over three seasons with the Venezuelan Summer League Astros. He came to the United States in 2008, compiling a .288 average with three homers and 25 RBI over 44 games with Greeneville of the Appalachian League. Last year, Tello dropped to .197 with a homer and 13 RBI over 45 games with Tri-City.

J.D. Martinez (Mark Maloney photo)

Another Legend to watch: RF J.D. Martinez (6-3, 215, from Pembroke PInes, Fla.) is the SAL Player of the Week. For the period of July 5-11, Martinez went 10-for-20 (.500) with four homers, two doubles, eight RBI and seven runs scored. Through Monday, he led the league in batting (.358), hits (122), doubles (31), on-base percentage (.427), slugging percentage (.589), extra-base hits (58), runs (80) and totals bases (201). He ranked second to teammate Kody Hinze in RBI (68-62) and third in the league in homers (14).

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Homestand highlights

Wednesday — Ladies Night. Sun Tan City club members, with presentation of pass, can buy one ticket and get one free.

Thursday — “Thirsty Thursday” beer and Pepsi, $1 each through the seventh inning.

Friday — Bluegrass State Games “Celebration of Athletes Night,” Fritos Family Friday and ADI post-game fireworks.

Saturday — Marine Night, sponsored by the United States Marine Corps and featuring the Legends in camouflage jerseys. Fans presenting military identification can buy one ticket, get one free. Entertainment throughout the game provided by the Zooperstars, sponsored by LBX. ADI post-game fireworks.

Sunday — Jewish Heritage Day and JIF Kids Club Sunday.

Baseball

South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
vs. Hickory Crawdads

What: Five-game series

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

When: Tuesday through Saturday (7 each night)

Affiliations: Houston Astros (Legends), Texas Rangers (Crawdads)

Robby Donovan

Jose Cisnero

Juan Minaya

Tanner Bushue

Luis Cruz

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Tuesday, RH Robby Donovan (7-4, 2.61) vs. RH Neil Ramirez (6-5, 5.22); Wednesday, RH Tanner Bushue (4-3, 3.63) vs. TBA; Thursday, RH Juan Minaya (2-8, 6.00) vs. LH Robbie Ross (8-6, 2.32); Friday, RH Jose Cisnero (3-4, 4.52) vs. LH Robbie Erlin (3-1, 1.34); Saturday, LH Luis Cruz (2-1, 3.77) vs. RH Matt Thompson (5-4, 3.88).

Miguel Velazquez

Crawdad to watch: CF Miguel Velazquez (6-foot-2, 205 pounds, from San Juan, Puerto Rico) is batting .267 with 10 homers and 12 stolen bases over 68 games, while leading the Crawdads in RBI (51) and runs (44). Selected by the Rangers in the 19th round of the 2006 draft, Velazquez came into the season ranked by Baseball America as the 22nd-best prospect in the Texas system. Baseball America sums up his unusual career start this way: “Velazquez was projected as a top-three-rounds pick out of high school in Puerto Rico, but his stock plummeted when he was involved in a shooting with his brother in March 2006. Velazquez has told reporters that he was with his brother when his brother shot and seriously injured their neighbor, who they say was trying to kill their sister. The Rangers looked into the case and decided to take Velazquez in the 19th round that June, signing him for $72,000. He made a strong pro debut in 2007 but missed all of 2008 because of a parole violation that required him to spend time in a juvenile detention center. He returned to action last summer and picked up where he left off, showing true five-tool potential. …” He hit .330 with two homers and 21 RBI over 24 games with the Arizona League Rangers in 2007. Last year, in ine games with the AZL Rangers, he hit .294 with a homer and six RBI; and in 54 games with Spokane of the Northwest League, he hit .297 with 10 homers and 40 RBI.

Zach Grimmett

Legend to watch: RHP Zach Grimmett (6-3, 199, from Beggs, Okla.) is 1-0 with a save, three holds and a 2.51 ERA over 15 games, including one start. Over 43 innings, Grimmett has struck out 39 while walking 13, holding opponents to a .186 batting average. He has been especially effective on the road — 1-0 with a 1.87 ERA. Selected by the Astros out of Beggs High School in the 28th round of the 2008 draft, Grimmett broke into pro ball with the Greeneville Astros that year, going 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA over 13 relief appearances and 31 2/3 innings. Last year, with the Tri-City ValleyCats, he went 0-7 with a 7.34 ERA over 12 starts and 41 2/3 innings.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Baseball

South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends vs. Hickory Crawdads

What: Four-game series

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

When: Saturday through Tuesday (7 Saturday night, 5 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. Monday and Tuesday)

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

Luis Cruz

David Duncan

Robby Donovan

Juan Minaya

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Saturday, LH Luis Cruz (0-0, 5.40) vs. RH Joe Wieland (4-3, 4.06); Sunday, LH David Duncan (3-1, 3.86)  vs. LH Robbie Ross (7-4, 1.96); Monday, RH Robby Donovan (5-4, 2.44) vs. LH Robbie Erlin (1-1, 1.34); Tuesday, RH Juan Minaya (0-7, 5.68) vs. RH Matt Thompson (4-3, 3.51).

Robbie Ross

Crawdad to watch: Sunday starter Robbie Ross (5-foot-11, 185 pounds, from Nicholasville) passed on the University of Kentucky and signed with the Rangers for $1.575 million after being selected in the second round of the 2008 draft. The former Lexington Christian Academy standout is tied for second in the SAL in wins (7), tied for third in innings pitched (64 1/3) and is ninth in ERA (1.96). In 11 starts, he has struck out 46, walked 14 and hit four batters. He is holding opponents to a .230 batting average and is the only Crawdad starter yet to allow a home run. Ross has a decision in all 11 games and has won six of his last seven. In five home games, he is 4-1 with a 0.30 ERA. Rated by Baseball America as the seventh-best prospect in the Rangers system, Ross will turn 21 on June 24. He earned all-star honors in the Northwest League last season with Spokane, going 4-4 with a 2.66 ERA over 15 starts, while striking out 76 and walking 17. He ranked second in the league in strikeouts per nine innings (9.2) and fourth in ERA.

Legends lefty David Duncan (monkeyalarm.com photo)

Legend to watch: Sunday starter David Duncan (6-9, 230, from New Richmond, Ohio) has decisions in all four of his starts. A fifth-round draft pick out of Georgia Tech in 2008, he is coming off his worst outing of the season — Tuesday’s six-inning, five-run loss to West Virginia. After starting the season on the disabled list due to a sore arm, Duncan has struck out 13 and walked only one. He has given up five homers, but four have been solo shots and the other came with only one man aboard. Duncan split last season between Tri-City, Lexington and Lancaster, going a combined 4-14. With the Legends, Duncan was 4-4 with a 4.29 ERA, 52 strikeouts and nine walks over 56 2/3 innings.

Brandt Walker

Tanner Bushue

Coming and going: The Legends have activated RHP Brandt Walker from the disabled list. Moving from the rotation to the DL is RH Tanner Bushue. Walker is 1-3 with a 9.72 ERA over six starts, with more walks (18) than strikeouts (16). Bushue is 3-3 with a 3.95 ERA over 11 starts, leading the team in strikeouts (55) while issuing 21 walks.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300