On Tuesday Dutch starting pitcher Rick van den Hurk was called up to the Florida Marlins, as roster expanded to 40 players for the final month of the regular season. One day later he received his first starting assignment. In five innings against the Atlanta Braves he gave up six hits, three runs (2 ER) and three walks, while striking out three. He left the game trailing 2-3, but his team came back, blew a lead late in the game, but won 8-7 anyway on a walk-off homerun by Wes Helms. Van den Hurk’s ERA now stands at 4.91 in seven starts after the no-decision.
Around the Minors:
- German catcher Kai Gronauer is back on the active roster of the Savannah Sand Gnats in the South Atlantic League, having recovered from a thumb injury. Since his return on Tuesday, Gronauer played twice as the designated hitter, collecting two hits in seven at bats. He is now hitting .247 (OBP .291/SLG .358) with six homeruns and 23 RBI in 63 games this season. Gronauer is expected to join the German national team next week right in time for the Baseball World Cup.
