Starting pitcher Sidney Ponson of the Kansas City Royals probably saved his spot in the rotation on Wednesday. The right-hander threw 7 1/3 innings to pick up his first win of the season, allowing just one run on eight hits and a walk, striking out one. With the outing Ponson lowered his ERA to 5.91. After not receiving that much run support during his first few appearances, the Royals’ offense connected for eight runs in the first four frames against the Mariners en route to a 9-1 pounding. Wladimir Balentien didn’t play for Seattle.
Europeans in the Minors:
- Leon Boyd of the Blue Jays Double-A affiliate in New Hampshire had to take his first loss of his professional career last week. On April 30th he allowed three hits, two runs and three walks in 1 2/3 innings against the New Britain Rock Cats. Boyd now has an ERA of 2.25 thru seven appearances, striking out seven, while walking five. He has five saves on his belt.
- Gregory Halman of the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx continues his mix of homeruns, RBI and strikeouts. During his last five games he has hit two homeruns, two doubles, scored five times, drove in five, but also struck out nine times in 18 at bats. He is batting .221 (OBP .279/SLG .579) with ten homeruns and 28 RBI in 24 games.
- Alex Maestri of the Tennessee Smokies (Cubs Double-A) picked up his first win of the season on April 30th against the Carolina Mudcats. He is now 1-0 with an ERA of 4.02 and twelve strikeouts (nine walks) in 15 2/3 innings. He also pitched twice against Halman’s Diamond Jaxx, facing the Haarlem-born outfielder in two plate appearances (BB, SO).
- Alex Smit of the Carolina Mudcats (Reds Double-A) gave up four runs on four hits and two walks in 2 2/3 innings on Monday, raising his ERA for the year to 3.29. He has 16 strikeouts and twelve base on balls in 13 2/3 innings.
