Shairon Martis (5-0) picked up his fifth win of the season on Wednesday with another brilliant start for the Nationals. He defeated $ 126 million man Barry Zito and the Giants, by allowing just two hits, a run and four walks in seven innings. He struck out two and lowered his ERA to 4.10 for the year. He also ripped a double and scored the first run of the 6-3 game. He is hitting a robust .267 in the season. It was actually an appearance against his former team, as he had signed as an amateur free agent with the Giants in 2004, before being traded to Washington two and a half years later.
Already one day earlier Jair Jurrjens started against the New York Mets, but was left with a no decision, as his Braves lost 3-4 in ten innings on a bases loaded walk by Carlos Beltran. Jurrjens pitched 7 2/3 innings, conceding seven hits, two runs and a bb. He struck out four. He is now 3-2 with an ERA of 2.06 in eight starts this year.
Wladimir Balentien of the Seattle Mariners got another start on Wednesday and nearly plated the game-winner against the Rangers in extra innings. However his RBI double against C.J. Wilson in the eleventh wasn’t enough, as Hank Blalock answered Balentien’s hit with a two-run walk off double in the bottom of the frame. Balentien is batting .296 (OBP .350/SLG .444) in 54 at bats over 18 games. Andruw Jones played in right field in this game, going one-for-six. He has a batting average of .300 (OBP .455/SLG .567) in 60 at bats over as many games this year.
Europeans in the minors:
- Catcher Kai Gronauer of the Savannah Sand Gnats homered on Wednesday in a 2-6 loss against Bowling Green. It was his second round-tripper of the season. He is now batting .257 (OBP .329/SLG .386) with two homeruns, nine runs scored and seven RBI in 22 games. He also was part of a wild 8-2-5 triple play in the third inning. New York Mets head of player development Tony Bernazard said some nice things about Gronauer to Baseball America.
- Leon Boyd still is stuck with five saves after nine games for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. He is 0-1 with an ERA of 3.48 with seven strikeouts and six walks in 10 1/3 innings. He has posted some pictures on his blog Canadutch Baseball Experience
- The numbers of Alex Maestri with the Tennessee Smokies continue to improve. After four scoreless appearances in his last five games the Italian reliever has an ERA of 3.15 with 13 strikeouts (10 walks) in 20 innings this season.
- Alex Liddi of the High Desert Mavericks has hit safely in eight of his last ten games and is still riding a hot bat. He is hitting .373 (OBP .401/SLG .675) with eight homeruns, 22 runs scored and 29 RBI. It is time for a call-up, Seattle Mariners.
- The bat of Gregory Halman has cooled off a bit recently, with just three hits in his last 21 at bats. He is batting .207 (OBP .262/SLG .517) with ten homeruns, 17 runs scored and 28 RBI in 29 games. He has struck out 51 times in 116 at bats.