Texas League Report

Published on May 27, 2008 under Texas League (TL1) News Release

NORTH NOTES

Arkansas Travelers

(Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim)

24-25, Second Place, North Division

May 19...In the bottom of the 13th, Ben Johnson lined a bases loaded, sacrifice fly to center, which propelled Arkansas to a 2-1 victory over rival Northwest Arkansas. Johnson's game winner brought home Nate Sutton from third on a play at the plate. Starter Robert Mosebach allowed four hits and a walk in eight scoreless innings, while fanning six. The right-hander left the game after the eighth with a 1-0 lead, but wound up with the no-decision. Credited with the victory, Kevin Jepsen hurled three frames of one-hit relief. Prior to the 13th, Arkansas lone run came in the second on Jordan Czarniecki's solo homer to left. Czarniekcki is batting .447 in his last ten games thru May 20.

May 21...Arkansas exploded for 10 runs in the first two innings, then held on to win 13-10 at Corpus Christi. The Travelers prevailed even though they were outhit by the Hooks 21 to 12. Corey Smith led the Travs with three RBIs, two of them driven in with a first inning double. Adam Greenberg and Michael Collins both scored three runs and had two hits. Collins added two RBIs, and reached base two other times via walk.

May 22...Ben Johnson's two-out, eighth inning, bases loaded triple helped catapult Arkansas to a 4-3 win over Corpus Christi. Third baseman Corey Smith took big-leaguer Wandy Rodriguez deep for a solo homer in the sixth, breaking up the lefty's shutout. In eight innings of work, starter Brok Butcher picked up the win after surrendering three runs, seven hits and no walks. For the second time since May 12, infielder Adam Morrissey was called up to Triple-A Salt Lake.

May 23... Arkansas could not come up with enough clutch hits in a 7-6, 12 inning loss to Corpus Christi. The Travelers hit 3-for-16 with runners in scoring position and left 10 men on-base. Going 3-for-6 at the plate, first baseman Michael Collins ripped two separate run scoring doubles. Tied at 5-5 in the top of the eighth, Corey Smith hammered a solo homer (7) to left on an 0-2 pitch, which gave the Travs a late inning lead they could not hold.

May 24...During Arkansas 5-2 loss at San Antonio, center fielder Adam Greenberg went 4-for 4, raising his batting average to .362. Greenberg scored a run, and had two bunt singles.

May 25...In the top of the 10th, Michael Collins' go-ahead, RBI single to center propelled Arkansas to a 4-3 victory over San Antonio. Trailing 2-0 after one inning, Ben Johnson and Corey Smith launched back-to-back solo homers in the second to tie the ballgame. The Travelers staff of Robert Mosebach, Doug Brandt and Kevin Jepsen collectively held the Missions to three runs and eight hits over ten innings pitched.

Northwest Arkansas Naturals

(Kansas City Royals)

26-23, First Place, North Division

May 19...In a 13-inning marathon, Northwest Arkansas lost a 2-1 nail-biter to Arkansas. The Naturals lost the game despite outhitting the Travelers nine to six. Down 1-0 in the top of the ninth, Mario Lisson took the game to extra innings by bringing home Jose Duarte on a two-out single to center. Lisson finished the game batting 3-for-5. Not factoring in the decision, starter Blake Johnson held the Travelers hitters to one run, four hits and no walks over seven innings of work.

May 21...Northwest Arkansas clobbered Midland 13-5, setting a season-high for most runs scored and tying their mark for largest margin of victory. Putting the game out of reach, the Naturals poured a total of eight runs on the RockHounds in the seventh and eighth innings. The victory was the Naturals 12th win at Arvest Ballpark in their last 13 games. The Naturals also established a milestone, scoring in the second inning for the first time at home. Juan Richardson, who batted a perfect 4-for-4, had four RBIs, scored three times, cracked a two-run homer, and tripled. Center fielder Jose Duarte knocked in five runs, while Ovandy Suero wrecked havoc on the base paths with three steals and three runs. Picking up his first career Texas League win, starter Daniel Cortes gave up one run and three hits over five innings.

May 22...Scoring runs in double-digits for the third straight game, Northwest Arkansas beat Midland 10-7. The victory was the Naturals' 13th win in their last 14 contests played at Arvest Ballpark. Their 17-7 home record is also the best in the Texas League. The Naturals compiled 13 hits and six walks versus RockHounds pitching. Jose Duarte, Angel Sanchez, Kila Kaaihue, Mario Lisson and Ovandy Suero all had a multiple-hit game. Sanchez's three RBIs led the club. During the Naturals' five-run second inning, slugger Kaaihue cracked a two-run double to right. After swiping two bags, Suero leads the TL with 20 stolen bases. Left-handed starter Paul Mildren gave up two runs through five frames, and improved to 2-3.

May 23...Surrendering seven runs in the first, Northwest Arkansas dropped a one-sided 13-4 decision to Midland. Mario Lisson batted 3-for-4, with a double, and a triple in the loss, while reliever Greg Atencio fired three innings of one-hit ball, fanning four.

May 24...Through seven innings, Northwest Arkansas led the game 2-0, but ended up losing 4-2 to Frisco. Starter Rowdy Hardy was tossing a shutout, winding up with a tough luck loss after he gave up four runs in the eighth. Hardy surrendered just two earned runs, six hits and no walks over 7.2 innings pitched, while fanning five. Center fielder Jose Duarte went 2-for-4 at the plate, with a solo homer, and a double. Reliever Julio De La Cruz was put on the disabled list with a sore shoulder. The Royals promoted right-hander Aaron Hartsock from high Single-A Wilmington.

May 25...Boosted by a five-run second inning, Northwest Arkansas squeaked by Frisco 6-5. During the second, right fielder Brian McFall walloped a three-run homer (9) to left. Juan Richardson added a solo round-tripper in the fifth, which proved to be the difference in the Naturals' one-run victory. In a spectacular Double-A debut, reliever Aaron Hartsock hurled four frames of one-hit ball. Earning a tough save, Hartsock walked none and struck out five.

Springfield Cardinals

(St. Louis Cardinals)

22-27, Third Place, North Division

May 19...Springfield defeated Tulsa 6-4, ending a 10-game losing skid. Coming through with clutch hits were Casey Rowlett, who hit a two-out, two-run triple to left-center in the second, and Jon Jay, who added a two-run single in the fourth. Third baseman Allen Craig led the club with three hits. After allowing three runs in six innings pitched, Clayton Mortensen notched his second win. Fernando Salas, sporting a 1.73 earned run average this year, picked up his first save of year.

May 21...In an old fashioned pitchers' duel, Springfield edged San Antonio 2-1. Cardinals pitchers Tyler Herron, Jonathan Mikrut and Fernando Salas combined to hold the Missions to one run on five hits and two walks. Notching his first Double-A win, Herron struck out five in six innings, while allowing one run, four hits and two walks. After getting called up from Class-A Palm Beach, Mikrut tossed two shutout frames of relief. Salas struck out the side while throwing a perfect ninth, and was credited with his second save. Tied at 1-1 in the seventh, Shane Robinson's two-out, RBI single to center put the Cards in front. Robinson is the TL's leading hitter at .409 through May 21. Southpaw Adam Daniels was loaned to the Mexican League by the St. Louis Cardinals. After he turned down a Mexican League assignment, relief pitcher Bob Zimmermann was released. Right-handed reliever Kyle Sadlowski was promoted from Palm Beach to Springfield after registering a 3.89 earned run average in 11 appearances this year.

May 22...Springfield downed San Antonio 6-4, winning their third straight game. The relief corps of Kyle Sadlowski, Nick Webber, and Marco Gonzalez no-hit the Missions for five straight innings, from the fourth through the eighth. Catcher Brandon Yarbrough went 3-for-4, and clubbed two doubles.

May 23...During Springfield's 5-2 loss at San Antonio, Allen Craig went 2-for-4, with two runs scored. Starter Mark McCormick allowed no earned runs in four innings pitched, and holds a 0.00 earned run average through six innings pitched with Springfield.

May 24...Breaking a scoreless tie in the top of the 11th, Jon Jay hit a two-out RBI single on an 0-2 pitch, helping Springfield squeak by Corpus Christi 1-0. The Cardinals prevailed despite having no extra-base hits, one walk, and a total of just three hits. Amazingly, Springfield didn't move a runner into scoring position until the eleventh. Starter Jess Todd had a no-hitter going for 6.2 innings before yielding a ground ball single. Leaving the game after seven, Todd allowed one hit and one walk, while fanning four. It was Todd's longest outing as a pro. The St. Louis Cardinals 2007 second round pick has registered a 1.19 earned run average in 22.2 innings with Springfield.

May 25...Led by a masterful pitching performance from Clayton Mortensen, Springfield defeated Corpus Christi 4-1. Giving up just three hits and one walk, Mortensen blanked the Hooks over eight innings, striking out five. The right-hander improved his record to 3-3. Jon Jay, Allen Craig, Steven Hill, Tyler Greene and Casey Rowlett all had multiple-hit games for the Cards. Craig belted a two-run tater in the first, his 11th of the year.

Tulsa Drillers

(Colorado Rockies)

18-31, Fourth Place, North Division

May 19... Losing 6-4 at Springfield, Tulsa could not complete a sweep of their four-game series with the Cardinals. First baseman Jeff Kindel and left fielder Justin Nelson both enjoyed 3-for-4 games at the plate. Nelson clubbed a solo homer in the sixth. Kindel hit 13-for-19 in the series, lifting his average to .329.

May 21...In a 13-9 loss to Frisco, Tulsa stormed out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, but couldn't contain the RoughRiders offense. Tony Blanco went 2-for-4, cracked two doubles, collected two RBIs and swiped a base. On a 2-for-5 evening, left fielder Matt Miller drove in two runs, lifting his season average to .352. During the sixth, third baseman Jeff Dragicevich walloped a solo homer (5) to left-center.

May 22... In Tulsa's 7-5 loss versus Frisco, hird baseman Tony Blanco continued his hot hitting, homering for the sixth time in 11 games. With two RBIs each, Jeff Kindel and Jeff Dragicevich combined to drive in four of the Drillers total five runs. The Drillers have dropped 11 of their last 14 games.

May 23...Shortstop Jeff Dragicevich drove in a run, and walked three times in Tulsa's 12-2 loss to Frisco. Drillers utility player Duke Sardinha threw a scoreless inning of relief. Tulsa reliever Jarrett Grube (hip) was placed on the disabled list. Right-hander Darren Clarke, who recorded a 1.64 earned run average with the Drillers last year, was added to the roster from extended spring training.

May 24... Tulsa rode four homers to a 7-3 home victory over Midland. In a two hour and sixteen minute game, Matt Miller, Jeff Kindel, Justin Nelson and Tony Blanco all went deep for the Drillers. Scoring twice on the night, Miller went 3-for-4, lifting his batting average to .351. Blanco went 2-for-4, scored a pair of runs, and belted a two-run dinger to center during the sixth. Giving up three runs over six frames, Ching-Lung Lo improved to 3-6. Eduardo Valdez followed with three shutout innings for his second save.

May 25...Despite 10 hits, four doubles, and two homers, Tulsa's offense came up a run short in a 9-8 loss to Midland. Hitting safely in all four plate appearances, catcher Neil Wilson went 2-for-2, with two walks, a homer, a double and two runs scored. Behind the plate, Nelson was 2-for-2 in throwing out runners attempting to steal against him. In addition to Wilson, Dexter Fowler, Daniel Carte, and Justin Nelson enjoyed multiple-hit games.

SOUTH NOTES

Corpus Christi Hooks

(Houston Astros)

25-24, T-Second Place, South Division

May 19...In Corpus Christi's 11-5 loss at Midland, left fielder Billy Hart (3-for-5) hammered a grand slam in the first. Eleven of infielder Richie Paz's 13 strikeouts this season have been against the RockHounds.

May 21...Corpus Christi put on a stellar display of offensive firepower with 21 hits, but came up short on the scoreboard, losing 13-10 to Arkansas. Shortstop Tommy Manzella led the hit parade with four knocks, while Richie Paz, Billy Hart, and Lou Santangelo finished with three. Every Hooks starter had at least one hit. Additionally, substitute catcher Jose Lopez singled in his only at-bat. Seven of the Hooks starters hit at least one double, Paz and Ole Sheldon being the lone exceptions. Chris Johnson and Eli Iorg both finished with three RBIs.

May 22...After playing a three hour and 43 minute slugfest the previous night, Corpus Christi lost 4-3 to Arkansas in a game that lasted 2:22. Joining the Hooks for a rehab start, Astros southpaw Wandy Rodriguez pitched six strong innings, allowing one run, four hits and one bases on balls.

May 23...In the bottom of the 12th, Billy Hart's game-ending, RBI single gave Corpus Christi a 7-6 win over Arkansas. Hart's slow rolling infield single plated Tommy Manzella for the game-winning run. Starring for the Hooks on the night, Manzella went 3-for-5, with a homer, a triple, three RBIs and three runs scored. Mitch Einertson and Lou Santangelo both hit solo home runs for the Hooks. Allowing one earned run in 6.1 innings of work, starter Brad James pitched an admirable game, but lost his chance for a win when the Travs scored three unearned runs in the seventh. Right-handed starter Bud Norris (elbow) was placed on the disabled list. Outfielder Orlando Rosales was promoted from high Class-A Salem, where he batted .276 with 19 RBIs in 36 games.

May 24...Coming up on the short end of a 12-inning pitchers duel, Corpus Christi fell 1-0 to Springfield. The Hooks offense had no extra-base hits and could only muster two hits, and one walk during the two hour and fifty minute game. In the finest performance of his career (70 appearances), starter Brian Bougusevic surrendered two hits and one walk over eight shutout innings.

May 25...During Corpus Christi's 4-1 loss to Springfield, Ole Sheldon broke up a shutout in the ninth by cracking a leadoff, pinch-hit home run. Shelton's solo homer also ended the Hooks' 19-inning streak without scoring a run. Compiling half of the Hooks' four hits, Tommy Manzella went 2-for-4.

Frisco RoughRiders

(Texas Rangers)

33-16, First Place, South Division

May 19...Boosted by long balls from their two top sluggers, Frisco defeated San Antonio 4-1. On a 3-for-4 afternoon, Chris Davis launched a solo homer in the sixth, his Texas League leading 11th of the year. Davis also singled in a run in the first and added a double. Backstop Max Ramirez cracked his ninth homer in the third, a solo shot. Making his Double-A debut, Tommy Hunter (1-0) limited the Missions to one run, five hits and no walks over seven innings pitched. The husky 6-foot-3, 255 pound, right-hander was drafted in 2007 by the Rangers in the supplemental portion of the first round. The win improved the RoughRiders record to 10-2 versus the Missions this season.

May 21...Frisco outslugged Tulsa 13-9, one of three Texas League clubs to win on the 21st with a 13-run output. Going 4-for-5 on the night, Max Ramirez scored four times, clubbed a two-run homer (10), and added four RBIs. Ramirez lifted his average to .391, which ranks second in the circuit. First baseman Chris Davis, who went 3-for-4, equaled Ramirez with four RBIs. He also scored a pair of runs and stole his fifth bag of the year. Benefiting from batting in the two-hole in front of Ramirez and Davis, Craig Gentry scored four runs. Battling back from Tommy John surgery, former first round pick Thomas Diamond made his first appearance since September 1, 2006. The right-hander allowed six runs in 4.2 innings pitched.

May 22...Tied at 5-5 in the seventh, Max Ramirez's solo homer helped boost Frisco to a 7-5 win against Tulsa. Ramirez's shot to left was his 11th homer of season, tying teammate Chris Davis for the Texas League lead. It was the Venezuelan catcher's third consecutive game with a dinger. Frisco outfielders had their arms unlimbered as they gunned down three Tulsa baserunners on the basepaths. Right fielder Dustin Majewski had two assists, and led the 'Riders with three hits. Ben Harrison drove in two, and reached base safely four times. Frisco is 18-5 in road meetings.

May 23...A recurring theme all week long, Chris Davis and Max Ramirez led the way in Frisco's 12-2 assault of Tulsa. Davis was 4-for-5, with two homers, two doubles, three RBIs and three runs scored. During a 3-for-4 performance, Ramirez cracked a solo homer, ripped a double, had three RBIs and scored a pair of runs. With two dingers, Davis moved into sole possession of the TL home run lead with 13, one ahead of Ramirez's dozen. Highlighting the 'Riders' eight-run second inning, Corey Ragsdale ripped a grand slam. Elvis Andrus scored three times, and stole two bases, giving him 17 thefts this season. Through five innings pitched, starter Michael Schladt allowed one earned run and struck out five, improving to 2-3. Accumulating 38 hits in the series, Frisco left Tulsa with a three-game sweep.

May 24...Trailing 2-0 in the eighth, Frisco rallied for four runs to overtake Northwest Arkansas and held on to win 4-2. Ben Harrison and Adam Fox started the four-run eighth with consecutive doubles. In his first start since his no-hitter on May 18, Matt Harrison scattered two runs, seven hits and two walks over 5.2 innings pitched. Relievers Brandon Puffer and Brian Gordon slammed the door shut by retiring the last 10 Northwest Arkansas batters in order.

May 25...Shining in Frisco's 6-5 loss to Northwest Arkansas, Ben Harrison went 2-for-4, with two homers (10), and three RBIs. Harrison's second homer, a solo blast in the sixth, was the RoughRiders' only run and hit off Northwest Arkansas reliever Aaron Hartsock in four innings of work. Prior to the game, first baseman Chris Davis was promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma. In 186 at-bats with the RoughRiders, Davis hit .333, with 13 home runs, and 42 RBIs. Upon his departure, Davis led the Texas League in homers, extra-base hits (27) and runs scored (43).

Midland RockHounds

(Oakland Athletics)

25-24, T-Second Place, South Division

May 19...After spotting Corpus Christi a 5-0 lead in the first, Midland bounced back with 11 unanswered runs, winning 11-5. Batting 4-for-4, Joe Gaetti had four RBIs. Jesus Guzman hit 3-for-5, with three runs scored, and two RBIs. Both Gaetti and Guzman finished a home run short of the cycle. Relievers Jason Glushon, Pat Currin, Jay Marshall, and Andrew Carignan combined to hurl 8.1 scoreless innings.

May 21...In Midland's 13-5 loss to Northwest Arkansas, catcher Anthony Recker racked up three RBIs. The catcher went 2-for-2 and walked twice, reaching base safely all four times to the plate.

May 22... Midland tallied 15 hits, six for extra-bases, yet fell to Northwest Arkansas 10-7. Tommy Everidge and Anthony Recker led the 'Hounds with three hits each. Everidge ripped his team leading ninth homer, and added a RBI single. On a 2-for-5 night, Joe Gaetti clubbed a two-run round-tripper, his first bomb since rejoining the team on May 17.

May 23...Following high scoring losses in the first two games, Midland returned the favor with a 13-4 clobbering of Northwest Arkansas. Giving starter Vincent Mazzaro plenty of breathing room, the RockHounds jumped to a 7-0 lead in the first. Mazzaro (6-2) held the Naturals to three runs in seven innings of work. Going 4-for-5 at the dish, Jesus Guzman clubbed a pair of doubles, scored three times, had two RBIs, and swiped a bag. Catcher Anthony Recker enjoyed a three hit night, with two doubles, four RBIs and two runs. Matching Guzman and Recker with a couple of two-baggers, right fielder Jon Zeringue drove in three.

May 24...Coming up short in a game where nine of the 10 runs scored on homers, Midland fell 7-3 to Tulsa. Jesus Guzman cracked a two-run round-tripper in the first, and Aaron Cunningham tacked on a solo homer in the third.

May 25...In Midland's 9-8 triumph over Tulsa, all nine starters had a hit. Led by three hits from Nicholas Blasi and Brian Snyder, the RockHounds tallied 14 hits in all. During the sixth, Snyder belted a three-run homer to center, and finished with five RBIs. Joe Gaetti, who played with the Drillers from 2006-07, hammered a two-run home run in the first.

San Antonio Missions

(San Diego Padres)

23-26, Fourth Place, South Division

May 19...Chad Huffman went 2-for-4, with a dinger (5), in San Antonio's 4-1 loss to Frisco. Reliever Greg Burke fired a perfect 1.1 innings, fanning three.

May 21...Losing to Springfield 2-1, San Antonio couldn't take advantage of a fine outing by starter Mike Ekstrom. Through six innings of work, Ekstrom limited the Cards to four hits, two walks and a run, while striking out five. The right-hander did not factor in the decision despite having an identical pitching line as his mound counterpart Tyler Herron.

May 22...San Antonio got just six hits in a 6-4 loss to Springfield. Going 2-for-5, Chad Huffman ripped a RBI double to left-center and later scored during the Missions' three-run third inning. Catcher Colt Morton, who spent a month with the big league club earlier this year, was recalled to San Diego. Catcher Robert DuBarry, who spent previous stints with Ft. Worth and San Angelo in independent leagues, was assigned to the Missions from extended spring training in Peoria, AZ.

May 23...Scoring three runs in the bottom of the eighth, San Antonio surged to a 5-2 victory over Springfield. The Missions offense, which failed to get one extra-base hit, benefited from four errors by the Cardinals defense. In 5.1 innings pitched, starter Stephen Faris allowed one earned run and struck out five. Relievers Manny Ayala, Jonathan Ellis, and Neil Jamison followed by throwing 3.1 scoreless frames of one-hit ball.

May 24...In a 5-2 win over Arkansas, San Antonio recorded their 7,000th all-time win, a Texas League record. In a two hour and 29 minute ballgame, the Missions quickly dispatched the Travelers. Improving his record to 4-3, starter Matt Buschmann fired six innings of two-run ball, giving up six hits and a walk. With five strikeouts, Buschmann increased his season total to 55, which ranks second in TL to teammate Will Inman. Highlighting the Missions four-run third, center fielder Drew Macias roped a two-run triple to right-center.

May 25...Wasting a solid effort by their pitching staff, San Antonio lost 4-3 to Arkansas in 10 innings. Missions hurlers Steve Garrison, Jonathan Ellis, and Greg Burke combined on 11 strikeouts, and were charged with only two earned runs in 10 innings of work. When Arkansas scored in the 10th on an unearned run, Burke's 21 straight scoreless inning streak came to an end. Mike Cone, a real estate agent from Leakey, was recognized as the Texas League's 100th millionth fan after walking through the turnstiles at Wolff Stadium. The Texas League began announcing official attendance records in 1922. Second baseman Brett Dowdy was promoted to Triple-A Portland. In 33 games with the Missions, Dowdy hit .316, with three homers, and 15 RBIs. Infielder Gabe Lopez, a former New York Yankees farmhand, was added to the roster.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Max Ramirez - Frisco

6 G, 22 AB, 10 H, .455 AVG, 4 HR,

10 RBI, 8 R, .556 OBP, 1.091 SLG

During the week of May 19-to-25, Ramirez led the Texas League with four homers, 10 RBIs, and a 1.091 slugging percentage. The Venezuelan backstop also tied teammate Elvis Andrus for the most runs scored.

In four consecutive games spanning from May 19-23, Ramirez homered in every contest. In Frisco's 13-9 win on May 21 in Tulsa, Ramirez went 4-for-5, with a homer, four runs scored, and four RBIs.

Ramirez joins Midland's Jesus Guzman as the second player to earn two Player of the Week honors this season. The catcher was previously honored after hitting .552 from April 28-to-May 4.

Furthermore, Ramirez has arguably been the league's best hitter this season. Ramirez's name is plastered all over the Texas League leader board. The Texas Rangers farm hand ranks first in batting average (.379), on-base percentage (.454), and slugging percentage (.686).

Considering the rigorous nature of the catching position, it makes Ramirez's achievements all the more remarkable.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK

Clayton Mortensen - Springfield

2 W, 1.93 ERA, 14.0 IP, 12 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 9 K

Mortensen was the only pitcher in the Texas League with two wins in the past week. In 14 innings pitched, the right-hander recorded a 1.93 earned run average. Exhibiting exceptional command, Mortensen walked one batter all week and struck out nine (fourth best in the Texas League).

In his second outing of the week on May 25 in Corpus Christi, Mortensen was at his best as he hurled eight shutout innings, leading Springfield to a 4-1 victory. The Gonzaga alum held the Hooks to three hits and one walk, while fanning five. It was the longest outing of Mortensen's professional career. It was the third time this season that the right-hander has not allowed a run in one of his starts.

During his May 19 start, Mortensen helped end the Cardinals 10-game losing streak by getting the win in Springfield's 6-4 victory, holding Tulsa to three runs through six innings pitched.

The Cardinals drafted the 23-year-old sinkerballer with their first round supplemental pick last June.

ALUMNI REPORT

(Through May 25)

ARKANSAS TRAVELERS

Durham 1B Chris Richard ('97-'99) has hit .485 in his last nine games with five homers, 19 RBIs, and nine runs scored. He had two homers and five RBIs in a win over Charlotte on May 17, then homered again and drove in seven runs as a part of a 4-for-6 effort at Richmond on May 22. Richard hit .263 with two homers and five RBIs in 23 games in April, but has picked up the pace considerably in May: he's batting .397 this month with five homers, 20 RBIs and 12 runs in 20 games...Albuquerque 3B Dallas McPherson ('03-'04) batted .429 (6-for-14) with three homers over a four-game span...Salt Lake 1B Kendry Morales ('05) has hit .355 (11-for-31) over his last eight games...Bees RHP Darren O'Day ('07) has posted two saves and a 1.80 ERA in his last five appearances.

CORPUS CHRISTI HOOKS

Round Rock C J.R. House ('06) has nine hits in his last 18 at-bats over five games.

FRISCO ROUGHRIDERS

Nashville OF Laynce Nix ('03-'04) had three home runs and seven RBIs in a 10-game span while batting .270 (10-for-37)...Oklahoma RHP Eric Hurley ('06-'07) found some relief in a largely disappointing 2008, pitching seven scoreless innings against New Orleans on Thursday to earn his second victory of the season and lower his season ERA nearly a full run to 5.93. The 22-year-old has struggled through some perplexing outing among his 10 starts. Though Hurley has worked at least six innings three times, he also has allowed at least six runs four times, including a seven-run outing in five innings in his prior start May 16 at Memphis. One of the Rangers' top pitching prospects, Hurley has been durable, throwing at least 91 pitches in each of his starts...Tacoma 2B Tug Hulett ('06) has posted a .367 average (11-for-30) in his last eight games...Huntsville LHP Sam Narron ('04), 6-1 with a 2.77 ERA, was promoted to Triple-A Nashville...Jacksonville RHP Rick Asadoorian ('04) allowed just one hit in five scoreless innings of relief against Carolina and also hit a home run. He came in to start the second inning after Clayton Kershaw was pulled in anticipation of his promotion to the Dodgers and struck out four while walking one. At the plate, he was 2-for-3. Asadoorian was drafted as an outfielder in the first round by the Boston Red Sox in 1999.

MIDLAND ROCKHOUNDS

Sacramento LHP Dan Meyer ('07) has gone 2-0 with a 0.82 ERA in his last two starts, striking out 12 batters in 11 innings...Mississippi OF Jason Perry ('04-'07) hit his 11th homer and had three RBIs in an 8-4 victory over Tennessee. He was hitting .311 and had 37 RBIs in 34 games. Perry, 27, was 13-for-37 over a nine-game stretch, which four doubles, two triples, three homers, and 14 RBIs.

SAN ANTONIO MISSIONS

Las Vegas 1B John Lindsey ('03-'04) is sporting a .415 average (17-for-41) with five home runs and 14 RBIs in his last 10 games...Portland RHP Joshua Geer ('07) and LHP Cesar Ramos ('07) have earned victories in each of their last two starts...Portland OF Chase Headley ('07), the Padres' top hitting prospect, has five home runs and nine RBIs in the last ten games...Tacoma LHP Eric O'Flaherty ('06) has fired 3 and 1/3 scoreless innings over his last three appearances, striking out five...C Jeff Clement ('06) was called up to the Mariners for 2 and 1/2 weeks at the end of April, bu things didn't go well for him at the plate--he was sent down last week after batting .167 (8-for-48) in 15 games. Once the 24-year-old returned to the Rainiers, though, he began hitting again. In his first game back on Monday, he collected one hit in four at-bats against Las Vegas. Then the left-handed hitter homered in three consecutive games, including a grand-slam in Tuesday's victory over the 51s. Clement didn't homer Friday against Colorado Springs, but he did go 2-for-5 to raise his PCL average to .388 in 28 games...West Tennessee OF Jon Nelson ('05-'06) was 9-for-21 in a series against Mobile...Diamond Jaxx OF Michael Wilson ('06) hit four homers during the week, going 10-for-24 with nine RBIs. The spree raised his average to .263, and he had nine homers and 23 RBIs. Wilson, 24, hit just .226 in April. He missed more than half of the last season with leg problems, and hit just .188 with West Tenn...Diamond Jaxx RHP Rich Dorman ('04-'05) tossed his second complete game, beating Chattanooga 4-1 on a three-hitter to improve to 5-1. The only run was unearned, lowering his ERA to 2.23. Dorman, 29, struck out 10 and walked one. Opponents are batting .195. He missed most of last season while in the Florida organization.

SPRINGFIELD CARDINALS

Memphis OF Nick Stavinoha ('06) had a .375 average (15-for-40) in 10 games with Memphis. With an even .400 average through 21 games in May, Stavinoha has inserted himself into an interesting PCL batting race. Entering Saturday, his .374 average ranked fourth in the league behind Las Vegas teammates Terry Tiffee (first) and Luis Maza (third) and Tucson's Jamie D'Antona (second). Stavinoha has hit safelty in 15 of his last 17 games, including multi-hit games in eight of them, and his season average has been at .350 or higher everyday since April 25. The 26-year-old, in his fourth professional season, is trying to bounce back from his worst hitting year in 2007, when he batted .261 in 139 games for the Redbirds..."He just violated it."--Manager Chris Maloney to the Memphis Commercial Appeal on Memphis OF Joe Mather's ('07) estimated 450-foot home run in a victory over Oklahoma.

TULSA DRILLERS

Colorado Springs OF Sean Barker ('04-'05) has a .389 average (7-for-18) over his last games...Sky Sox OF Seth Smith hit .351 (13-for-37) with three homers and nine RBIs over a 10-game span. Smith was called up by Colorado on May 24.

OTHER TEXAS LEAGUE ALUMNI

Charlotte IF Royce Huffman (Round Rock '00-'02) has batted .313 in his last 10 contests...While Louisville 1B Kevin Barker (El Paso '97-'98) has batted .207 in his last nine contests, he has produced a pair of homers and seven RBIs...Norfolk OF Luis Terrero (El Paso '01-'02) has batted .316 with two homers, 10 RBIs, and six runs scored in his last nine contests...Scranton/Wilkes-Barre OF Jason Lane (Round Rock '01) has batted .314 with three homers, 11 RBIs and six runs scored in his last 10 games. He slugged a walk-off blast against Indianapolis on May 23 and is hitting .247 with 10 homers and 31 RBIs this season...Tucson 3B Jamie D'Antona ('04) had a .419 average (13-for-31) over a 10-game stretch...Tucson 3B Chad Tracy ('02) has collected six hits in 13 at-bats (.462) over his last three games.

This Week in the Texas League History

May 27, 1923...Hal Carleson, making his Texas League debut shortly after his purchase by Wichita Falls from Pittsburgh, stifled Galveston, allowing just five hits on the way to a 12-0 win. Carleson would subsequently return to the Major Leagues, but tragically, would die suddenly during the 1930 season.

May 28, 1925...Veteran Wichita Falls slugger Ping Bodie was 4-for-5 with a double and a triple in the Spudders 12-9 loss to Beaumont.

May 29, 1969...San Antonio piled up 21 hits on the way to a 17-1 pounding of Memphis. Francisco Libran led all San Antonio batters with four hits, while catcher John Felske had two home runs. Starting Pitcher Dave Lemonds also joined the hit parade as he stroked two singles and a home run.

May 30, 1896...In a sloppy, free-swinging affair, Austin topped Denison 23-11. Austin's John Hayden led all hitters, going 5-for-5. Playing both catcher and center field in the game, Hayden had two singles, a double and a pair of triples for the Senators. In the game, there were a total of 28 hits, 10 walks, five wild pitches, two hit batters and 15 errors. Amazingly, the contest took just two hours, twenty minutes to complete.

May 31, 1946...Ed Borom's run-scoring double in the 16th inning, broke up a four hour game and gave Dallas a 3-2 win over Oklahoma City. Hard luck losing pitcher Len Gilmore went the distance for the Indians, shutting out Dallas from the second inning until the winning run was scored in the 16th, 14 consecutive innings.

June 1, 2002...El Paso scored four times in the bottom of the ninth inning, producing a stunning 18-17, comeback win over Tulsa. Matt Kata and Robby Hammock led the way for the Diablos. Both were 5-for-six at the plate for the winners.

June 2, 1977...The Jackson pitching duo of Jeff Grose and Mike Van DeCasteel combined to no-hit the visiting Midland Cubs. In the 5-0 win, Grose, who had pitched just two innings in the past two weeks, was on a predetermined limit of around 100 pitches. He was lifted after the seventh inning, having walked and struck out six. Van DeCasteele came in and tossed two perfect innings to close out the gem.

Texas League Stories from May 27, 2008

• Travs Begin Six Game Stand At Dickey-Stephens Wednesday - Arkansas Travelers
• AT&T Promos Headline Upcoming Home Stand - Springfield Cardinals
• Texas League Report - TL1
• Travs Weekly Report - Arkansas Travelers
• Cody Clark Returns to Naturals Roster - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
• Regional Finals at Whataburger Field - Corpus Christi Hooks
• RockHounds Back At Home on Wednesday - Midland RockHounds

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.