Let’s start our tour around the farm with a stop in Round Rock. The Express lost their 5th straight game last night 7-3. Bud Norris started the game going 7 innings giving up 2 earned runs while fanning 8 batters. He has now struck out 18 in 16 2/3 IP. During that span, he has given up 13 hits and a concerning 9 walks. The Express pitching staff gave up a total of 4 walks last night that gives them a league leading 82 free passes in 15 games. That is 5 1/2 extra base runners a game.
On the offensive side, Yordany Ramirez went 1-3 from the lead of spot. The 24 year old speedy outfielder took his second walk of the season. This is significant because he only took 11 in 432 AB last season. So he is on pace to double his walk totals this season which means a higher on base percentage which leads to more runs scored.
Chris Johnson was back in the line up last night and went 0-3 with 2 K’s.
Corpus Christi put a dozen runs on the board against Frisco last night in their 12-9 victory. In a see saw affair, the Hooks lead 6-2 after five innings only to see the lead evaporate to a 9-6 deficit heading into the home half of the 8th. In the eighth, Coline Delome and Andrew Locke both unleashed 3 run homers to give the Hooks the lead for good. It was DeLome’s six blast of the year, something that is a little suprising coming out of the lead off spot of the order.
Manager Luis Pujols put himself in the pleasantly surprised category.
“I didn’t know what kind of power he had,” Pujols said. “But I’m glad he’s doing what I’ve seen. It’s very interesting with these young players.”
While DeLome now leads the Texas League in HR, Locke is leading the team in RBIs. His 4 last night moves him to 18 on the season, which ties him for the Texas League lead.
“It’s (because of) the rest of the team they’re always on base whenever I come up,” Locke joked. “I can’t get an at-bat with nobody on.”
Mark Ori also deserves a mention here. He has hit in 9 of his last 10 and has 7 multi hit games over that span.
Lancaster allowed 8 runs in the 6th inning in their 8-5 loss. T. J. Steele came off the DL and had a hit in his first game back.
Lexington shut out Hickory 3-0 last night. Lexington is 9-6 on the season and they are winning with pitching right now. Brad Dydalewicz pitched 7 stellar innings. He allowed only 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 5. Dydalewicz has yet to allow an earned run in his 3 starts this season. Daniel Meszaros picked up his league leading 6th save of the season with a no hit, two strike out 9th inning.
The offense is starting to come around. Phil Disher hit a homer for the second night in a row. His 3 for 4 peformance last night brought his average up to .209. Jay Austin, who won’t turn 19 until August, went 2 for 5. He is hitting .353 over his last 5 games to bring his season average close to .200.