Round Rock
Round Rock split a day night doubleheader Saturday. They lost the opener 4-3 and won the nightcap 16-8 thanks to a 9 run 7th. In game one, Jack Cassell surrendered 4 runs in the second inning and that was enough for the I-Cubs to hold on despite a rally by the Express in the ninth. The second game looked like it would be a repeat with the I-Cubs getting 4 runs in the first off Runelvys Hernandez. The Express rallied with a 9 run 7th to erase a 8 – 3 deficit.
Corpus Christi
Bud Norris was impressive in his AA debut. He went 5 strong innings giving up 5 hits and striking out 8, while only walking one batter. Mitch Einertson went 3 for 4 and Rob Cosby hit a 3 run homer for the offensive production in the 5-1 win. The Hooks are off to a franchise best start of 3-0.
“I’m not going out there looking for strikeouts,” Norris said. “I’m just going out there to throw strikes and help my team. But yeah, it definitely started off on the wrong foot, but I kept my composure and made pitches with Lou Santangelo behind the plate and that was all I could really focus on.
Salem
The Avs played through rough conditions and benefit from bad footing in their 5-4 victory. After a 4 run 8th that put the Avs up 5-4, the Nationals were threatening when the conditions gave them a boost. With a runner at second and no one out, a pick off was just what Salem needed.
When Baez took a large lead and then slipped a bit trying to get back to the bag, Tellam threw a bullet to Torres for the out. The throw doused Potomac’s comeback attempt and the Avalanche scored a 5-4 Carolina League victory at Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium.
“If they bunt the guy over in those conditions, there’s no telling what would have happened,” Avalanche manager Jim Pankovits said. “Those were about as tough conditions as you can play in.”
Lexington
Lexington split their double header as well. They lost the opener 2-0, mustering only 3 hits off Cory Riordan in the 7 inning affair. Eric Taylor got two of the three Legends hits. Carlos Ladeuth took the loss despite pitching 5 solid innings.
In the late game, Sergio Severino, was effectively wild. He allowed only two hits but gave four free passes in 5 innings. He struck out 6. The offense responded with the 2-5 batters in the line up getting 2 hits each and at least one RBI each for the Legends 7-1 victory.
The Legends won the base path war. They went 4 out of 5 in stolen bases with Brandon Barnes stealing 2 bases. The Tourist were caught stealing in their two attempts.