It wasn’t the brightest start for Jair Jurrjens (W 5-2) in 2009, but it was good enough to pick up win number five. The 23-year-old right-hander of the Braves allowed five runs on eight hits and a walk in five innings, striking out five against the Diamondbacks on Friday evening. He ERA rose to 2.59 with the outing. The biggest damage was made by Chad Tracy, who hit a three-run homerun in the fourth. Nonetheless he received ten runs support by his offense and even helped his own cause with a two-run double in the second. Atlanta won by a final score of 10-6, going back to .500 with a 24-24 record.
Around the Minors:
- Leon Boyd, who impressed scouts of the Toronto Blue Jays so much during the World Baseball Classic that they signed the Dutch national team hurler to a minor league contract, was demoted to Single-A a few days ago, after starting the season with the Double-A team in New Hampshire. He is now in the Florida State League with the Dunedin Blue Jays and already has two scoreless appearances under his belt. In three innings he struck out six, while inducing three hits. In the Eastern League Boyd had an ERA of 5.68 in 12 2/3 innings, striking out nine, while walking eight.
- Alex Maestri remains with the Tennessee Smokies of the Southern League (AA). He lowered his ERA to 2.32 after 31 innings in 18 games so far. He has struck out 24 (17 walks). He hasn’t allowed an earned run in eight of his last ten appearances.
- Alex Liddi continues to tear up California League (Single A) pitching. He is batting .353 (OBP .396/SLG .642) with 29 extra base hits, 39 runs scored and 46 RBI in 46 games for the High Desert Mavericks (SEA).
- Rick van den Hurk is back on the mound. He is rehabbing after an elbow injury in the Florida State League for the Jupiter Hammerheads (Single-A) and allowed one run on three hits in three innings in his lone start so far on May 24. He struck out three and walked two. He is scheduled to start this Saturday for the Triple-A team in New Orleans. With the problems in the Major League rotation of the Marlins, he might got a shot in the big leagues later this summer.
- Outfielder Gregory Halman is back in a hitting slump. The Haarlem native of the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx is waiting for a hit since May 25 and four games. Additionally he has nine multi strikeouts games in his last ten appearances. He is now batting .207 (OBP .271/SLG .477) with 13 homeruns, 25 runs scored and 34 RBI in 46 games. He also has 82 strikeouts in 174 at bats.