Atlanta’s starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens allowed just three hits, two runs and two walks in seven innings to lead his team to a 4-2 victory over the Florida Marlins. He struck out four and threw 67 of his 102 pitches for strikes. The 23-year-old right-hander is now 3-2 with an ERA of 2.01 this year. The only batter on the opposing side to have Jurrjens figured out was shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who hit solo homeruns of him with two outs in the first and sixth.
Europeans in the Minors:
- Alex Liddi (Single-A Mariners) continues to rake the ball in the California League. The 20-year-old infielder from San Remo, Italy hit his seventh homerun of the season on Thursday and is batting a league-third .380 (OBP .412/SLG .676) with 20 runs scored and 23 RBI in 27 games.
- German catcher Kai Gronauer of the Savannah Sand Gnats (Single-A Mets) went three-for-four with a walk and a RBI on Wednesday, raising his batting average of the season to .246 (OBP .323/SLG .333) thru 17 games.
- Second baseman Sharlon Schoop of the Eastern League Connecticut Defenders (Double-A) is batting .245 (OBP .281/SLG .302) with three doubles, five runs scored and four RBI in 53 at bats over 18 games this year.
- A few miles west also in Double-A, but in the Texas League (Arkansas Travelers), Hainley Statia of the Los Angeles Angels is searching for his swing. He is hitting .179 (OBP .292/SLG .232) with three runs scored and three RBI in 56 at bats thru 18 games.
- Florida Marlins’ starting pitcher Rick van den Hurk, who is on the disabled list with elbow problems, threw his sixth bullpen session on Wednesday and could throw batting practice or a simulated game in a few days. But it may still take a while until he returns real games.