Kansas City’s starting pitcher Sidney Ponson (0-2) lasted only 3 1/3 innings on the mound on Tuesday in Cleveland. He allowed eight hits, six runs and four walks, while striking out two in a loss to the Indians. The Royals rallied for six runs in the last two frames and nearly completed the comeback, but lost 7-8 in the end. Grady Sizemore did the most damage against the Dutch WBC starter, as he hit a three-run homerun off the right-hander. Ponson threw just 43 of his 80 pitches for strikes and his ERA jumped to 7.04 for the season. His record at Progressive Field in Cleveland is now 0-5 for his career.
Shairon Martis (2-0) lasted long enough in his third start of the season to capture his second win. Against the Braves he gave up six hits, three runs (2 ER) and four bb, while striking out two. Atlanta did all of their harm against the young right-hander in the first, storming out of the gates with a three-run lead. But the Nationals cut the deficit to two runs in the second and turned the score into their favor with three runs in the sixth. And the bullpen after Martis was able to silence Chipper Jones and Co. to seal the 4-3 victory. Martis threw 53 of his 89 pitches for strikes.
Some other notes on Europeans in the Minors:
- Chicago Cubs Double-A reliever Alex Maestri has allowed four runs on nine hits and six walks in 8 2/3 innings for Tennessee this season. He appeared in five games and hadn’t yet a real clean outing.
- Third baseman Alex Liddi of the High Desert Mavericks (High-A, Mariners) is still impressing with his bat. He is batting .370 (OBP .388/SLG .696) with three homeruns, ten runs scored and nine RBI in twelve games.
- Shortstop Hainley Statia, who plays for the Arkansas Travelers (Double-A, Angels), is struggling a little bit right now. Although he has hit safely in five of the last seven games, he is batting only .184 (OBP .295/SLG .263) with three stolen bases, three runs scored and one RBI in eleven appearances.
- Outfielder Gregory Halman of the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Double-A, Mariners) hit his third homerun of the year on Tuesday, a three-run jack to bring his RBI total to nine. It was just his third hit in seven games and he is batting .137 (OBP .170/SLG .333) with 21 Strikeouts in 51 at bats over twelve games.
- Catcher Kai Gronauer of the Savannah Sand Gnats (NY Mets, Single A) hit his first homerun of the season last Sunday, April 19. He is batting .238 (OBP .333/SLG .381) through six games.