Round Rock
The Express put together a rally using long balls and long at bats. After being down 6-0, the Express tied it in the 7th with HR’s by David Newhan & Mark Saccomanno. The grabbed the lead for the first time after Thomas Perez battled through a 10 pitch at bat to bloop a two out hit to center. After the Redbirds tied it up in the 8th, J.R. Towles homered in the 9th to give the Express a 9-7 victory.
Saturday, the rally came up short. Tommy Manzella finally donned an Express uni and was an impressive 3-5 with 3 RBI’s. Not bad for a supposed all glove shortstop.
Manzella was playing in his first game since the death of his mother last week.
“This kid has been through a lot,” manager Dave Clark said, “and the fact that he was able to come out here tonight and get back to the routine of playing baseball, and come and have a night like he did, I thought it was outstanding.”
Mark Saccamanno extended his hitting streak to 16 games with a solo HR in the 4th.
Sunday, Runelvys Hernandez continued his good work in Round Rock. After his 7 solid innings last night, he has only given up 3 runs in 35 innings pitched at the Dell Diamond.
“This kid has shown he can pitch here and he’s shown he can pitch at the big-league level,” Clark said of Hernandez, who started 78 games for the Kansas City Royals from 2002-2006.
“He’s doing what he needs to do here to be given an opportunity at the big-league level and I think he’s going to get it. I don’t know when, but I think he can help the big-league club right now.”
Mark Saccomanno went 0-3 to end his hitting streak but the Express won 6-1.
Corpus Christi
The Hooks rallied with 5 runs in the 9th Friday night to tie the game up only to see the chances of winning go over the fence with a HR ball the next inning. The final score was 8-7.
Saturday, the Hooks lost their 20th game out of their last 26. Sunday, they won a game finally for Brian Bogusevic. Chris Johnson is currently the hot Hook riding a 11 game hitting streak.
Salem
Myrtle Beach slaughtered the Avs 12-3 Friday night. Jordan Parraz went 2-4 and is seeing the results of reworking his swing.
“It’s been a process,” (hitting coach) Bodie said. “We tore him down and built him up again. We stripped away everything. We changed his whole setup, his approach, his lower half, his hands, his head. Whatever can be addressed has been addressed.
“I cannot say enough for players that keep an open mind. And it’s not that he’s just doing things with blind enthusiasm either. He’s intelligent; he knows what swings look like.”
Parraz’s take on the changes
“I’m more sure to the ball, the swing is shorter, swing path longer through the zone, quicker to the ball, it’s smoother, using my body more,” he said, suddenly speaking staccato. “Eventually the numbers’ll get better.
“I’ll keep getting better.”
Saturday, the Avs were out slugged 5-3 but they responded Sunday with a 14-9 victory. Colin DeLome with 3 for 5 and finished a homer short of the cycle. DeLome crossed home plate 4 times during the game.
Lexington
Let an early lead get a way on Friday, losing 5-2. The Legends out hit Kannapolis 10-8 but left 7 runners on base. Since Brandon Barnes was called back up, he has had one hit in each of the 5 games he has played in. His average isn’t impressive (.238 in those 5 games, .155 for the season) but one noticeable difference is that he has only struck out 3 times in 21 AB since he has been back up. Prior to being sent down, he had struck out 41 times in 95 AB.
Saturday, the Legends lost 5-2 and then Sunday they wrapped up the worst 1st half in the South Atlantic League with a 5-3 loss.
Tri Cities and Greeneville open their seasons Tuesday night.