11 Innings for both Lex and CC with different outcomes

Posted on April 4, 2008 by Duman in From the Bus Stop

Round Rock was rained out of their opener and Salem opens their season tonight. So the only two teams playing last night were Lexington and Corpus Christi. They both went to 11 innings with the Legends losing and the Hooks pulling out a win.

Lexington

Asheville beat the Legends 5-4 in 11 last night. Astros pitchers did well with one exception. Leandro Cespedes struck out 6 and walked 3 during his 4 innings of work, allowing only one run and two hits. Abad, Robinson and Kelly combined for 5 innings of shutout ball with Kelly tallying four k’s along the way. Pacella took the loss without an earned run. The exception of the night was Mike Koons who allowed 3 runs on 4 hits and a walk in 1 inning. He and Max Sapp allowed 3 stolen bases in that inning. Overall Asheville runners were 5 out of 6 against Sapp. This is a trend we will be watching.Read More

Corpus Christi, Iorg, Lexington, Salamida, Sapp

Astro sign Tim Byrdak and assign him to AAA

Posted on April 3, 2008 by Duman in From the Bus Stop

Looks like the Astros may have picked up some lefty bullpen help off the waiver wire. The Detroit Free Press reports that Byrdak who was released out of spring training after a solid 2007 in the Tiger bullpen was close to resigning a minor league deal with the Tigers but the Astros made a better offer.

“I felt like there was more opportunity to get back (to the big leagues) quicker.”

Byrdak will get a chance in RR to show that he is the 3.20 ERA, 49 K in 45 innings pitcher he was in the Tiger pen last season and not the 13.50 ERA pitcher he was during spring training.

“I felt like I had a lot of unfinished business there,” he said. “The way spring training went for me, it was kind of embarrassing.

Byrdak, Round Rock

Opening Day in the Minors: News Roundup

Posted on April 3, 2008 by Duman in From the Bus Stop

Excitement is building as the 4 full season teams start their seasons tonight. The local press is churning out good stuff today.

Round Rock:

The buzz about Yordany Ramirez keeps building:

“Ramirez in center has made some plays in the last few weeks of spring training that in — my, how many years I’ve been playing? — I haven’t seen before,” said Klassen. “He’s pretty special out there.”

Minor League Spring Training Transactions 2008

Posted on April 2, 2008 by Duman in From the Bus Stop

Here is a list of the transactions that impacted the farm system during spring training.

Reggie Abercrombie – Cleared waivers and reported to AAA (March)
Jarred Ball – Released (March)
Francisco Caraballo – Released (March)
Jack Cassel – Optioned to AAA (March)
Alberto Castillo – Released (March)
Nick Cavanaugh – Released (March)
Scott Chaisson – – Released (March)
Ken Chenard – Released (March)
Reece Creswell – Signed (March)
Andrew Darnell – Released (March)Read More

Transactions

Lex Preview: Slimmer Sapp, Smallball & Piggyback Pitching

Posted on April 2, 2008 by Duman in From the Bus Stop

The Lexington Herald Leader has a overview of the Legends online today. The article contained a photo of a much slimmer Max Sapp, who it is reported dropped 35 pounds during the off season.

Smallball:

Langbehn said this team will feature aggressive base running. They are most likely to win with “small ball” rather than relying on a power game.

“The thing I like about the roster is kids that can run,” Langbehn said. “You can do things with them offensively. You can steal bases. You can hit-and-run, and go first-to-third on singles. … Of the 13 (position players), I would say 10 of them have a legitimate chance of stealing a base at any time.”

Todd Self to coach with Hooks, Fairchild progress report

Posted on April 1, 2008 by Duman in From the Bus Stop

Todd Self, will be coaching the first basemen and outfielders in Corpus Christi this year. He will be on the inactive player list but could be activated if needed as a player.
Self on the decision:

“Obviously I wasn’t expecting to make a decision about this for three, four years,” Self said Monday night while the Hooks worked out at Whataburger Field. “I talked to my wife about this in the offseason. You’ve got to have a Plan B.”

Tip Fairchild will spend time in Extended Spring Training rehabbing, busting scar tissue and playing some golf according to the Kennebec Journal/Morning Sentinel.Read More