K-Tribe Notes for July 23rd
July 23, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Kinston Indians News Release
Tribe Talk....
De Ja Vu All Over Again-Adam Davis knocked in three runs and Paolo Espino put together a solid start, as Kinston beat Winston-Salem 5-2 Wednesday night at Historic Grainger Stadium. Espino gave up just three hits and an unearned run in six innings, while striking out six and not walking a batter. The win snapped a four game losing streak for the K-Tribe, and a separate seven game skid against the Dash. The last win against Winston-Salem, fittingly, came on May 29th when Paolo Espino picked up the win in a 5-2 victory as well.
Start Me Up!-After another solid pitching performance from Kinston's starter last night, Kinston's team ERA for July is now 3.63. Even though the K-Tribe is just 3-6 in its last nine games, you certainly can't fault the team's starting pitching. In those nine games, Kinston starters have allowed just 14 earned runs in 55 innings (2.29 ERA). Over those games, the Indians have allowed 11 unearned runs (10 errors) and the bullpen has allowed 19 runs (16 earned) in 19 innings for an ERA of 7.58. Four of Kinston's five starters though have a July ERA of under 3.00. As a staff, the Indians starting rotation (Eric Berger, Russell Young, Alexander Perez, Paolo Espino, Mike McGuire and Ryan Morris) has a 2.71 ERA in July (32 ER/ 106.4 IP).
Awakening The Lumber From Slumber-After managing just four hits Tuesday night and a combined 18 hits its last four games, the K-Tribe finally gave its pitching some runs to work with, scoring five runs on nine hits last night. When the Indians took the lead in the third inning last night, it was the first time the K-Tribe had the lead in 39 innings. Kinston is now hitting just .212 over its last 10 games, and just .175 its last five games.
Vs. The Dash-The K-Tribe is now 6-10 against Winston-Salem this season. Errors have plagued the Indians against their Southern Division rival, committing 20 errors in 16 games, which has led to 16 unearned runs. Kinston has a better team batting average (.258) against the Dash and a better team ERA (3.42) in the season series. Winston-Salem is hitting just .244 with a 3.92 ERA against Kinston. The last time the Indians played the Dash was June 5th-7th at Winston Salem, in which the K-Tribe got swept in a four-game series for the first time since July 28-31, 2005 in Wilmington. Adam Davis is hitting .333 with four RBI in eight games vs. the Dash and Roman Pena is batting .296 with a homer and five RBI against Winston-Salem.
Mull It Over-Former East Carolina Pirate and current Winston-Salem Dash second baseman Dale Mollenhauer is having a stellar season so far in his third professional season. The former Pirate is 7th in the Carolina League in hitting with a .291 batting average through 82 games. He also has 90 hits, tied for fifth most in the CL, and is tied for 5th in the league with 54 runs scored. The Carolina-League All-Star has also shown a great glove, and is second among everyday second baseman in the CL with a .986 fielding percentage (trailing Kinston's Cord Phelps who has a .992 fielding percentage).
Home Sweet Home?-The Indians will try for its second home series victory tonight since May 9h. That was also the last time Kinston has won back-to-back home games, May 8-9th vs. Myrtle Beach. The K-Tribe is just 18-31 at Grainger Stadium, hitting just .245 as a team with a 4.10 ERA. Lonnie Chisenhall has the best home batting average among active players with more than 20 games played at home this season, with a paltry 2.56 BA. Chisenhall is hitting .309 on the road and isn't the only Indian with unusual home-road splits. Lucas Montero is hitting .207 at home but .312 on the road. Catcher Doug Pickens has loved his short time in Kinston, hitting .467 (7-15) in five home contests.
Carolina League Stories from July 23, 2009
- P-Nats Drop the Cats - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Nats Snatch Series Victory in Hillcats' Den - Potomac Nationals
- Offense Erupts as Dash Pound Indians in Finale - Winston-Salem Dash
- Dash Speed By Kinston 9-4 - Kinston Indians
- Hawaiian Infielder Totals Three Hits, Two Runs as Salem Takes Rubber Game - Salem Red Sox
- Frederick Fails to Score Off Red Sox Relievers In Series - Frederick Keys
- Pelicans Pursue Free Agent Fan - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Nationals Game Notes July 23rd - Potomac Nationals
- Hillcats Game Notes July 23rd - Lynchburg Hillcats
- K-Tribe Notes for July 23rd - Kinston Indians
- Godin Leads The Way In Beach Blanking - Wilmington Blue Rocks
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