Mark Maloney on Kentucky sports

Baseball

South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
vs. Rome Braves

What: Five-game series

When: Friday through Monday (5 p.m. doubleheader Friday, 7:05 p.m. Saturday, 1:35 p.m. Sunday, 12:05 p.m. Monday)

Where: Whitaker Bank Ballpark

Tickets: Call (859) 422-7867

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

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Friday, LH David Rollins (1-2, 3.12) vs. LH Alex Wood (4-3, 2.03) and TBA vs. RH Navery Moore (7-7, 4.28) ; Saturday, RH Chris Devenski (7-7, 4.28) vs. RH Greg Ross (7-8, 4.39); Sunday, RH Mike Foltynewicz (14-3, 2.91) vs. LH Fabian Williamson (2-4, 4.38); Monday, LH Luis Cruz (9-8, 4.05) vs. LH David Starn (1-2, 5.85).

William Beckwith

Brave to watch: 1B William Beckwith (6-foot-1, 235 pounds, age 22, bats left, throws right, from Crawford, Miss.) leads Rome in homers (14) and RBI (74), and is tied for the lead in doubles (25). Not counting teammates who have played 12 games or less, he also leads Rome in batting average (.292), on-base percentage (.362), slugging (.477) and OPS (.839). Over 101 games, Beckwith has scored 49 runs, stolen 16 bases and has 173 total bases. Selected by Atlanta in the 21st round of the 2010 draft out of George C. Wallace Community College in Alabama, he hit .243 with two homers and 18 RBI over 21 games with the Gulf Coast League Braves in 2010. Last year, with Danville of the Appalachian League, he improved to .282-11-45. This season, Beckwith is batting .250 when the bases are empty, .337 with runners on base and .389 with runners in scoring position.

Chris Devenski

Legend to watch: Saturday starter Chris Devenski (6-3, 195, 21, bats/throws right, from Long Beach, Calif.) came to the Houston organization from the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 3 to complete the Brett Meyers trade. Devenski went 6-5 with a 4.23 ERA for Kannapolis before being moved to Lexington. With the Legends, he is 1-2, 4.43 over four starts and 20 1/3 innings. The White Sox selected him in the 25th round of the 2011 draft out of Cal State Fullerton. Assigned last year to the Great Falls Voyagers of the Pioneer League, Devenski had no decisions and a save in seven relief outings, striking out nine and walking one over eight innings. Over 82 innings with the Intimidators and Legends this season, he has totaled 76 strikeouts and 34 walks.

Noteworthy: Katya Cengal, author of Bluegrass Baseball: A Year in the Minor League Life, will be signing books between games Friday. Cengel followed Kentucky’s four minor-league teams — the Legends, Louisville Bats, Bowling Green Hot Rods and Florence Freedom — through the 2010 season.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

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
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
vs. Kannapolis Intimidators

What: Four-game series

When: Tuesday through Friday (7:05 Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights, 12:05 p.m. Wednesday)

Where: Whitaker Bank Ballpark

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends), Chicago White Sox

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Tuesday, RH Mike Foltynewicz (9-2, 2.74) vs. RH Erik Johnson (1-1, 2.54); Wednesday, LH Luis Cruz (5-5, 3.75) vs. RH Chris Devenski (5-3, 4.19); Thursday, RH Luis Ordosgoitti (2-3, 5.43) vs. LH Scott Snodgress (3-3, 3.80); Friday, RH Jonas Dufek (5-2, 5.67) vs. RH Myles Jaye 3-6, 5.70).

Chris Curley

Intimidator to watch: 3B Chris Curley (6-foot-1, 210 pounds, age 25, from Fort Mitchell, Ky., bats/throws R/R) joined the team over the weekend, signed from the independent Florence Freedom. The former Campbellsville University standout went 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBI and two strikeouts Sunday against Greensboro. Originally signed by the Braves three years ago, Curley played for the Danville Braves of the Appalachian League in 2009, then for Danville, the SAL’s Rome Braves and Carolina League’s Myrtle Beach Pelicans in 2010.  Most of his experience came with Rome, where he hit .214 with three homers, 23 RBI and 23 runs over 61 games. With Florence this season, Curley hit .356 with 10 homers, 44 RBI, 35 runs, 12 doubles, two triples and seven stolen bases in 42 games.

Ruben Sosa

Legend to watch: 2B Ruben Sosa (5-7, 160, age 21, from Lawrence, Mass., bats/throws S/R) is 4-for-9 (.444) with two RBI and a run since moving from the Greeneville Astros of the Appy League to the Legends on June 30. Selected by the Astros in the 23rd round of the 2011 draft out of Oklahoma City University, the native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, played 39 games for Greeneville and 11 for the Legends. For the 50 games combined, hit batted .239 with 20 RBI, 31 runs, nine doubles, a triple and 14 stolen bases.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

The Houston Astros’ player development department has announced minor league players of the month for the month of June.

For the Class A Lexington Legends, that includes Mike Foltynewicz (pitcher of the month), Delino DeShields Jr. (offensive player) and Zach Johnson (defensive player).

Award winners for each of the Astros’ minor league affiliates were chosen by the field staff of each team.

Other honorees include former Legends Jose Cisnero, Jonathan Villar and Andrew Simunic with Class Double-A Corpus Christi, and Jose Trinidad, Ben Heath and Ben Orloff with High-A Lancaster.

Lexington Legends

Mike Foltynewicz

Foltynewicz went 3-1 with a 2.97 ERA in June, with 20 strikeouts and 10 walks over 33 1/3 innings. He made five starts, throwing at least six innings each time, holding opponents to a .242 batting average. He tossed eight innings of one-hit ball against Rome and worked two no-hit innings as the Southern Division starter in the South Atlantic League All-Star Game. He shares the league lead in innings pitched (96 2/3) and is second in wins (9) and ERA (2.51).

Delino DeShields Jr.

DeShields stole 25 bases in 25 games, going 30-for-99 (.303) at the plate. With a .407 on-base percentage in June, he hit two homers, drove in 16 runs and scored 22, while rapping four doubles and a triple. He leads the SAL with a franchise-record 60 stolen bases and ranks among the top five in walks and runs. He also played in the SAL All-Star Game.

Zach Johnson

Fellow all-star Johnson, a first baseman, has committed just five errors in 680 total chances (.993) over 70 games.

Triple-A Oklahoma City

Pitcher — RH Mickey Storey (3-0, 0.56, 16 innings, 15 strikeouts, two walks, .173 batting average against, 10 games).

Offense — Mike Hessman (29-for-104, .279, 14 HR, 27 RBI, 19 R, 2 2B, .702 slugging, 26 games).

Defense — IF Hessman (58 games at 1B, two errors in 514 chances, .996).

Double-A Corpus Christi

Pitcher — RH Jose Cisnero (3-1, 2.18, 33 innings, 31 strikeouts, 8 walks, 1 complete game, 1 shutout, 5 starts)

Offense — Jonathan Villar (26-for-89, .292, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 20 R, 2 2B, 12 SB, .396 OBP, 24 games).

Defense — IF Andrew Simunic (65 games, 55 at 3B, six errors in 191 chances, .969, 132 assists).

A-Advanced Lancaster

Pitcher — RH Jose Trinidad (4-1, 0.43, 21 innings, 7 strikeouts, 8 games, 1 start).

Offense — Ben Heath (24-for-59, .407, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 12 R, 4 2B, 1.063 OPS, 14 games).

Defense — IF Ben Orloff (67 games, 56 at SS, 7 errors in 312 chances, .978, 195 assists).

Dominican Summer League

Pitcher — RH Samil De Los Santos (2-0, 2.20, 28 2/3 innings, 28 strikeouts, 8 walks, .160 batting average against, 5 games, 4 starts).

Offense — Randy Cesar (19-for-71, .268, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 9 R, 3 2B, 20 games).

Defense — IF Yoel Silfa (25 games, 4 errors, 94 chances, .957).

Baseball

South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
at Hagerstown Suns

What: Five-game series

When: Wednesday through Sunday (5:05 p.m. Wednesday, 7:05 Thursday through Saturday nights, 1:05 p.m. Sunday)

Where: Municipal Stadium (Hagerstown, Md.)

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

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Wednesday, RH Carlos Quevedo (4-3, 4.24) vs. RH Alex Meyer (6-4, 3.40); Thursday, RH Mike Foltynewicz (9-2, 2.51) vs. RH Christopher McKenzie (2-2, 7.58); Friday, LH Luis Cruz (5-5, 3.71) vs. LH Kylin Turnbull (4-4, 4.88); Saturday, RH Luis Ordosgoitti (2-3, 5.01) vs. RH Taylor Hill (8-4, 4.46); Sunday, RH Jonas Dufek (5-1, 5.33) vs. LH Bobby Hansen Jr. (2-0, 3.75).

Jose Fernandez

Legend to watch: SS Jose Fernandez (6-foot-1, 170 pounds, age 19, bats/throws R/R; from Loma de Cabrera, Dajabon, Dominican Republic) is 6-for-19 over his first seven games with the Legends. Included are three doubles and a homer. With five RBI and five runs scored, he has 12 total bases and a stolen base through Monday. Signed by the Astros as a non-drafted free agent on July 17, 2009, Fernandez spent each of the last two seasons with the Gulf Coast League Astros. In 2010, he batted .232, with seven doubles, six triples, a homer, 22 RBI, 16 runs and four steals for 48 games. Last year, over 43 games, he went .245 wit six doubles, three triples, 15 RBI and 21 runs, adding 11 stolen bases. He was the GCL Astros Offensive Player of the Month last August.

Caleb Ramsey

Sun to watch: SAL all-star OF Caleb Ramsey (6-2, 215, age 23, bats/throws L/R; from Houston) is batting .298 through Monday, with five homers, seven doubles, seven triples, 44 RBI, 48 runs and 11 stolen bases. Over his last 10 games, Ramsey is 13-for-38 (.342), with a pair of three-hit games. Selected by the Nationals in the 11th round of the 2011 draft, out of the University of Houston, Ramsey broke into pro ball last summer with the Auburn Doubledays of the New York-Penn League. For 64 games, he batted .280 with a homer, 26 RBI 38 runs and 15 stolen bases. As a senior at Houston, he batted .318 and drove in 46 runs.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

Baseball

South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
vs. Asheville Tourists

What: Five-game series

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

Where: Whitaker Bank Ballpark

Tickets: Call (859) 422-7867

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends), Colorado Rockies

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Friday, RH Carlos Quevedo (4-2, 3.88) vs. RH Alex Gillingham (3-5, 4.31); Saturday, RH Mike Foltynewicz (9-1, 2.18) vs. RH Chris Jensen (7-2, 4.54); Sunday, LH Luis Cruz (5-5, 3.71) vs. RH Daniel Winkler (8-5, 4.75); Monday, RH Luis Ordosgoitti (1-3, 5.06) vs. RH Ben Alsup (8-3, 4.58); Tuesday, RH Jonas Dufek (5-1, 4.72) vs. RH Vianney Mayo (2-3, 5.29).

Jose Rivera

Tourist to watch: 2B Jose Rivera (5-foot-10, 170 pounds, bats/throws right, age 22, from Bayamon, Puerto Rico) comes into the series batting .305 with 22 RBI and 19 runs, with 36 hits in 36 games. That includes 10 doubles and a triple. Over his last 10 games, Rivera is 13-for-36 (.361) with a .928 OPS. He’s batting .432 versus left-handed pitchers and .247 against righties. Selected by the Rockies in the 23rd round of the 2009 draft, out of Universidad Interamericana, Rivera split the 2009 season between the Domincan Summer League Rockies and the Casper Ghosts of the Pioneer League, hitting a combined .188 with four RBI over 36 games. In 2010, playing 47 games for Casper, he hit .200 with 10 RBI. Last year, also with Casper, he improved to .228, hit his first homer as a pro, and drove in nine runs over 39 games.

Chan Jong Moon

Legend to watch: SS Chan Jong Moon (6-foot, 171 pounds, bats both, throws right, age 21, from Seoul, South Korea) is off to a solid start in the second half. In seven games since the all-star break, Moon is 8-for-26 (.308). Overall, for 31 games, he is batting .283 with two homers, 20 RBI and 17 runs, with a .381 on-base percentage. The first player in Legends history from Korea, Moon is batting .324 versus left-handed pitchers and .258 against righties. Signed by the Astros as a non-drafted free agent Aug. 9, 2009, he made his pro debut in 2010 with the Gulf Coast League Astros. Over 33 games, he batted .215 with six RBI and 15 runs. Last year, in 43 games with the Greeneville Astros of the Appalachian League, Moon batted .207 with a homer, 12 RBI and 19 runs.

Radio: WLXG-AM 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

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.