Italian reliever Alessandro Maestri, who is pitching in the Chicago Cubs organization, was promoted to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, making another step towards becoming a Major Leaguer. The 24-year-old right-hander had a 3-1 record with an ERA of 3.30 for the Double-A Tennessee Smokies this season and allowed 52 hits, 24 runs (23 ER) and 36 walks in 62 2/3 innings. He struck out 54. In 2008 Maestri was used as a starting pitcher in High-A and Double-A, got injured and moved back to the bullpen at the beginning of this year, where he looks more comfortable.
Looking into the big leagues, where Maestri could make his debut, when rosters expand in September, starting pitcher Sidney Ponson of the Kansas City Royals made his second start on Sunday after coming of the disabled list last week. Against the Texas Rangers he allowed just five hits and three walks in six scoreless innings, while striking out four. He lowered his ERA to 6.79. Unfortunately the offense of the Royals had other plans and denied any run support. When Ponson left Texas put seven runs on the board combined in the seventh and the eighth en route to a 7-2 victory.