Much has been made about the Lexington Legend’s pitching staff this year. However, they have made a run at the lead thanks to the awakening of their offense. The Legends now tote a 15-9 record which is the best in the South Atlantic League and gives them a 1 game lead over Savannah in the Sally Southern Division. Over the last 8 games, the Legends have scored an average of over 7 1/2 runs per game. They haven’t scored less than 4 runs in a game over that stretch. So who has been behind this outburst of offense?
Ebert Rosario is hitting .441 over the last 10 games with 3 home runs, and 11 RBI. He has hit in 8 straight games. His defense is not his strong suit as he has made 3 of the teams 10 errors during this stretch.
Albert Cartwright has hit in each of his last 8 games (.406). He has hit 3 home runs and 10 RBI during that span. Brian McTaggart is reporting that he was hit by a pitch last night and has been placed on the DL with a broken hand. He will be out 4-6 weeks.
Frederico Hernandez is hitting .333 over the last 8 games which brings his season total up to .250 on the season.
Jay Austin is hitting .303 over the last 8 games. The 18 year old in the lead off spot has had 3 straight multi-hit games and has had 2 hits in 5 of his last 10. He started this steak under .200 and has raised his average to .232 on the season.
Brandon Barnes has hit in 5 of the last 8 and his hitting just .269 during that period. But has hit in each of his last 4 games (.375) and has first two homers and 5 of his 9 RBI’s during that stretch. Unfortunately, along with the power returning, the strike outs have come back as well.
Back on the mound, Lexington has gotten some fill in help with Brad Dydalewicz on the DL with a mild oblique strain. Henry Villar has come out of the bullpen and put together 2 starts that resulted in no earned runs and 14 strike outs in 7 combined innings. Combined with his starts and his bullpen work, Villar has fanned 26 batters in 15 1/3 innings pitched.
The pitching continues to be strong as they have only given up more than 2 runs 3 times during the last 8 games and are averaging allowing 3.37 runs allowed per game.