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June 22, 2005 - Texas League (TL1) News Release

EAST NOTES

Arkansas Travelers

June 13...Arkansas batted around in the third, scoring six runs, en route to a 10-2 drubbing of Springfield. Starter Joe Saunders picked up his fifth win of the year, allowing three runs on 10 hits in 7.2 innings. It was the longest outing by an Arkansas pitcher this season. Six Travs had multiple hits, led by Erick Aybar, who was 2-for-4 with a homerun, two RBI and three runs scored. Cuban defector Kendry Morales was 0-4 with an RBI in his Arkansas debut. Morales is listed as the Los Angeles Angels' No. 5 prospect by Baseball America...June 14...Arkansas could never catch up, digging a 7-0 hole after three innings in an 11-4 loss to Springfield. Four Arkansas pitchers were roughed up for 20 hits, including 10 for extra bases in the blowout. At the plate, Mike Eylward was 2-for-3 with a ninth-inning homerun in the defeat...June 15...In the bottom of the ninth, with Mike Napoli at the plate, Erick Aybar was gunned down on a steal attempt at second base to end the game, sending Arkansas to a 9-8 loss to Springfield. Napoli, who was 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBI, had two ninth-inning, game-tying hits during the previous seven games of the homestand. The baserunning blunder aside, Aybar was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate. Reliever Greg Jones (0-1) took the loss, allowing a run on two hits in the fateful ninth...June 16...The Arkansas offense scored six in the third, then disappeared the rest of the game in a 7-6 loss to Wichita. Starter Steven Shell (3-5) was shelled, allowing seven runs on 11 hits and two walks in 4.2 innings. Kendry Morales broke out of an 0-12 slump in his first three Double-A games, going 2-for-4 with three RBI in the loss...June 17...Mike Napoli blasted two three-run homers, driving in all eight Arkansas runs in an 8-4 Travelers win over Wichita. Napoli also had a two-run double in the win. Reggie Willits set the table for Napoli all game, going 4-for-5 with a double and three runs scored. Reliever Aaron Pullin (1-3) struck out three, while allowing just one hit in the final 3.2 innings...June 18...Erick Aybar doubled and tripled, while Kendry Morales was 2-for-4 with a double, but Arkansas fell to Wichita 5-4.

Springfield Cardinals

June 13...Starter Jordan Pals took it on the chin, allowing nine runs (three earned) on eight hits and three walks in just 2.2 innings of a 10-3 loss to Arkansas. Tyler Minges doubled twice and drove in a run, while Papo Bolivar and Travis Hanson each added two singles and an RBI in the losing effort...June 14...The Springfield bats pounded out 20 hits, while starter Randy Leek shut down Arkansas in an 11-4 Cardinals win. At the plate, Kevin Estrada was 4-for-5, while Shaun Boyd and Tyler Minges each went 3-for-6 in the rout. Estrada is 10-for-15 through the first four games of the series. Minges, Juan Diaz and Andy Schutzenhofer all homered for Springfield in the offensive outburst. Leek improved his record to 7-3, allowing two runs on just six hits in eight innings of work...June 15...In the bottom of the ninth, catcher Robinson Cancel threw out Arkansas' Erick Aybar on a steal attempt at second base for the third out, sealing a 9-8 win for Springfield. Aaron Herr was 3-for-5 with three RBI, while Cancel and Cody Haerther each homered to lead the offense. Reliever Anthony Ferrari (2-1) was awarded the win after pitching a perfect eighth. The game featured 17 runs on 27 hits and eight walks...June 16...Robinson Cancel was 2-for-3, but the rest of the Springfield offense was held at bay by Tulsa starter Zack Parker in a 5-1 loss to the Drillers. Anthony Rawson and Evan Rust combined to shut Tulsa down over the final two innings, keeping the game within reach for the Cards...June 17...Springfield outhit Tulsa 13-8, but the Cards couldn't take advantage of all the baserunners in a 6-3 loss to the Drillers. Shaun Boyd, Tyler Minges, Juan Diaz, Robinson Cancel, Papo Bolivar and Mike McCoy each had two hits. Reliever Jeremy Cook took the loss, allowing two earned runs on three hits in the sixth inning...June 18...Pinch hitter Andy Schutzenhofer hit a two-run single in the top of the ninth off Tulsa closer P.J. Bevis, giving Springfield a 2-1 decision over Tulsa. Starter Jordan Pals was solid, allowing one run on just five hits in 6.2 innings. Reliever Anthony Rawson (4-2) pitched 1.1 scoreless innings for the win.

Tulsa Drillers

June 13 (DH 1) ...Despite scoring seven runs in the fourth inning, Tulsa fell to Wichita 9-8. Starter Christian Parker had his first rough outing of the year, allowing seven earned runs on 10 hits and two walks in five innings. Judd Songster (3-1) blew his second save of the year, allowing two solo homeruns in the bottom of the sixth inning. Corey Slavik was 2-for-3 with a homerun and four RBI to lead Tulsa in defeat...June 13 (DH 2) ...Tulsa was three-hit by Wichita's Barry Armitage and Jonah Bayliss in a 2-1 loss to the Wranglers. Starter Sandy Nin (1-4) went the distance for the Drillers, allowing six hits and two earned runs in the loss. Corey Slavik accounted for the lone Tulsa run with a seventh-inning homerun...June 14...Wichita starter Ryan Baerlocher shut down Tulsa for six innings, but then the bullpen stepped in against the Drillers. In the seventh and eighth innings, Tulsa stormed back to take an 8-4 lead it wouldn't relinquish in a win over Wichita. Luis Guance and Doug Bernier fueled the comeback, each driving in two runs in the decisive innings. Sean Barker and Ryan Spilborghs each scored twice to help pace the comeback. On the mound, starter Jon Asahina joined teammate Zack Parker as the league's only eight-game winners, allowing four runs on eight hits in seven innings...June 15...Jeff Salazar was 3-for-5 with four RBI as Tulsa pounded out 13 hits in a 10-2 rout of Wichita. Salazar also doubled and scored two runs, while Tony Miller was 2-for-4 with three runs scored to pace the offense in the win. Starter Manny Ulloa improved his record to 2-0, allowing two runs on just four hits, while striking out five in six innings...June 16...Corey Slavik, who was 3-for-19 in his last six games, was 2-for-4 with three RBI, while Zack Parker picked up his league-leading ninth win in a 5-1 Tulsa decision over Springfield. Parker (9-2) allowed just one run on four hits in seven innings. At the plate, Tony Miller chipped in a 3-for-5 performance, including two runs scored in the win...June 17...Tulsa pushed across three runs in the sixth inning, pulling away with a 6-3 decision over Springfield in front of 6,983 Drillers fans. Reliever Chris Young (2-1) earned the win, allowing four hits in three scoreless innings. Alvin Colina hit a two-run homer, while Corey Slavik drove in two runs in the win...June 18...Starter Christian Parker allowed just four hits over seven shutout innings, but closer P.J. Bevis allowed a two-run, pinch-hit single in the ninth that doomed Tulsa in a 2-1 loss. Doug Bernier homered, while Jeff Salazar was 2-for-5 to lead the offense in the loss.

Wichita Wranglers

June 13 (DH 1) ...In the bottom of the sixth, Mike Aviles and Brennan King each blasted solo homeruns off Tulsa reliever Judd Songster, giving Wichita the lead for good in a 9-8 come-from-behind win. Aviles was a perfect 4-for-4 with three runs scored, while King was a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBI. Aviles was a double short of the cycle, while King was a triple short of the cycle. Reliever Thad Markray picked up the win with 2.1 innings of perfect baseball...June 13 (DH 2) ...Starter Barry Armitage and reliever Jonah Bayliss combined on a three-hitter in Wichita's 2-1 win over Tulsa. Armitage allowed just two hits in five shutout innings, while striking out three. Bayliss gave up only a homerun to Tulsa's Corey Slavik in two innings, while striking out three...June 14...Ryan Baerlocher pitched six shutout innings, leaving with a 4-0 lead, but the bullpen unraveled in an 8-4 Wichita loss to Tulsa. Baerlocher, who is working back from Tommy John surgery, was pulled after reaching his pitch limit. In relief of Baerlocher, Colt Griffin and Nate Hoelscher allowed eight runs on eight hits and six walks in the next two innings. At the plate, Cory Aldridge was 2-for-4 with a homerun and three RBI in the loss...June 15...Four Wichita pitchers combined to throw 196 pitches, while allowing 10 runs on 13 hits and six walks in a 10-2 loss to Tulsa. Starter Derrin Ebert took the bulk of the damage, allowing seven earned runs on 10 hits and two walks in five innings. Infielder Rudy Gomez made his third pitching appearance in the blowout, hurling 1.2 scoreless innings. On the mound, Gomez is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 4.1 innings. At the plate, Gomez is batting .192 in 23 games...June 16...Reliever Jonah Bayliss pitched four shutout innings, allowing Wichita to come back from an early deficit in a 7-6 win over Arkansas. Bayliss retired the side in order three times, picking up his fifth - and longest - save of the season. At the plate, Matt Tupman had four of the Wranglers' 14 hits, while Brennan King and Justin Huber each added three hits. Mike Aviles hit a three-run homer in the first to ignite the offense...June 17...Matt Tupman was a perfect 3-for-3 with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored, but Wichita still fell to ARkansas 8-4. Starter Mike Stodolka (1-7) was rocked, allowing eight runs on nine hits and two walks in six innings in the loss. Stodolka allowed two three-run homers to Arkansas' Mike Napoli which proved to be the difference...June 18...Brennan King hit a two-run homer, while Wilkin Ruan was 2-for-4 in a 5-4 Wichita win over Arkansas. Thad Markray picked up the win in relief of starter Kyle Middleton with 2.1 perfect innings...Reliever Jonah Bayliss and first baseman Justin Huber were both promoted to Kansas City during the all-star break.

WEST NOTES

Corpus Christi Hooks

June 13...Mark Saccomanno hit a two-run homer, while Dax Norris was 2-for-4, but Corpus Christi fell to San Antonio 5-3. Starter Tim McClaskey, now 3-5, lasted only four innings, his shortest outing of the year...June 14...In the top of the ninth, former Mission Eric Riggs drilled a two-strike, two-out pitch off the left-field wall for a two-run double, giving Corpus Christi a 5-2 win over San Antonio. Riggs, who played in San Antonio in 2000, was 4-for-5 with three doubles and three RBI. It was the third time since June 10 Riggs knocked in a go-ahead run in the ninth. Starter Fernando Nieve had another strong outing, allowing two runs (one earned) on just six hits in seven innings. Nieve struck out seven Missions, raising his league-leading total to 96 in just 85 innings...June 15...Starter Jason Hirsh was knocked around the park, allowing seven earned runs on nine hits in five innings of a 9-2 Corpus Christi loss to San Antonio. Mike Rodriguez was 2-for-4 with a solo homerun to lead the offense in defeat...June 16...John Fagan had two of Corpus Christi's three total hits off Frisco starter Edison Volquez as the Hooks were shutout, 10-0, in a game televised on Fox Sports Southwest, South and West. Starter Mark McLemore (5-6) retired the first 11 batters he faced before falling apart in the middle innings. He lasted five innings, allowing seven runs on nine hits and two walks. On a positive note, reliever Phillip Barzilla pitched a perfect ninth for the Hooks...June 17...Frisco clobbered Corpus Christi pitching to the tune of 15 hits, while the Hooks' defense committed four errors in a 9-2 loss to the RoughRiders. At the plate, Hector Giminez was 3-for-4 with a solo homerun in the loss...June 18...Spot starter Phillip Barzilla shut out Frisco over five innings, while Wade Robinson was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate in a 4-0 Hooks win over the 'Riders. In relief of Barzilla, Scott MacRae earned the save, allowing just two hits in four shutout innings. John Fagan hit a two-run homer to help pace the offense in the one-hour, 58-minute win.

Frisco RoughRiders

June 13...Frisco dropped an 8-2 contest to Midland, further threatening the 91-year-old league record for most consecutive road losses. Frisco lost for the 17th consecutive time on the road. Brian Esposito was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI to lead the offense in defeat...June 14...The Texas League record for most consecutive road losses will have to wait. Joaquin Arias was 2-for-5 with two RBI, while Jeremy Cleveland scored twice and drove in two runs as Frisco knocked off Midland 7-4, ending a streak of 17 consecutive road losses. Starter A.J. Murray (1-0), who was making his first Double-A start since being recalled from Bakersfield, allowed three runs (two earned) in 5.1 innings for the win. Scott Feldman picked up his second save of the year with 1.2 innings of scoreless relief...June 15...Frisco jumped on Midland early, while starter Nick Masset was busy hurling a complete-game gem in a 6-2 RoughRiders win over the ‘Hounds. Masset improved to 3-6, allowing just six hits and two runs, while striking out four in the nine-inning complete game. Seth Taylor hit a two-run double, while Jason Hart hit a two-run homer in Frisco's four-run first. Brandon Larson was 3-for-5 with an RBI, while Joaquin Arias was 2-for-5 with an RBI to lead the offense to victory...June 16...Edison Volquez, a top pitching prospect in the Texas system, shined in his first television appearance in the United States in a 10-0 rout of Corpus Christi. Volquez fired a complete-game shutout, striking out seven Hooks, while allowing just three hits. Jason Hart was 2-for-5 with four RBI, while Juan Senreiso added two hits and two RBI in the win. Every player in the Frisco lineup had at least one hit in the contest. Fox Sports Southwest televised the game live from Corpus Christi's Whataburger Field...June 17...The first three batters in the Frisco lineup (Joaquin Arias, Drew Meyer and Seth Taylor) each went 3-for-5, combining for five runs scored and six RBI in the 'Riders' 9-2 win over Corpus Christi. Starter John Danks picked up his second win, allowing just six hits and one run in seven innings...June 18...Drew Meyer and Dan Smith each had two hits, but the rest of the offense could muster up only two more in a 4-0 loss to Corpus Christi. Starter Shane Bazzell (1-3) was the victim of the light hitting, allowing six hits and three runs in six innings.

Midland RockHounds

June 13...Brian Stavisky was 3-for-5 with a homerun, three RBI and two runs scored, while starter Steven Bondurant pitched six solid innings in an 8-2 first-half title clinching defeat of Frisco. The win marked the first playoff berth for Midland since 1995, when they were an affiliate of the California Angels. Bondurant allowed two runs on just four hits, while striking out five in his six innings of work. Steve Stanley was 3-for-5, while Omar Quintanilla scored three times to help pace the winning offensive attack...June 14...Steve Stanley continued his hot-hitting, going 3-for-4, while Matt Allegra added a 3-for-4 night of his own, but it wasn't enough as Frisco held off Midland 7-4. Starter Matt Lynch (5-4) allowed six runs on eight hits and four walks in just 2.2 innings...June 15...Frisco starter Nick Masset, who was recently removed from the Texas Rangers 40-man roster, held heavy-hitting Midland to just six hits in a 10-2 RockHounds loss. Steve Stanley was again the offensive leader, going 2-for-4. In his last six games, Stanley has five multi-hit games, raising his average from .275 to .299 in the process...June 16...San Antonio starter Bobby Livingston shut down the potent Midland bats as Midland fell to the Missions 3-0. At the plate, Steve Stanley continued his hot streak, rapping out two of the RockHounds' four hits. Starter Drew Dickinson (2-6) walked two and scattered 11 hits in 5.2 innings but allowed only two runs (one earned)... June 17...Midland was held to five hits by San Antonio starter Juan Sandoval, while 'Hounds' starter Dallas Braden had his worst Double-A outing in a 5-1 loss to the Missions. Braden (5-2) allowed five earned runs on six hits and a walk in five innings of work in the loss. Omar Quintanilla was 2-for-3 to lead the offense in defeat...June 18...Reliever Kyle Crowell allowed a walk-off homer to San Antonio's Jesus Guzman in the bottom of the 17th inning of a 2-1 Midland loss. The homerun ended a five-hour, 14-minute marathon that ran into the early morning hours of June 19. Reliever Alex Santos struck out four, while allowing just one hit in 3.2 innings. In relief of Santos, Evan Fahrner was just as good, allowing just two hits in three innings, while striking out four Missions. Steve Stanley was 4-for-8 with a double, while Mark Kiger was 3-for-7 in the loss.

San Antonio Missions

June 13...Jaime Bubela and T.J. Bohn were each 3-for-5, while Ismael Castro hit a two-run homer in San Antonio's 5-3 win over Corpus Christi. The win was bittersweet, however, as Midland clinched the West Division first half title with an 8-2 pounding of Frisco. Starter Thomas Oldham (4-5), turned in a strong effort, allowing two runs on just four hits in six innings, while striking out six Hooks in the win...June 14...In the top of the ninth, former Mission Eric Riggs drove in two runs off of San Antonio reliever Cesar Jiminez with a two-strike, two-out double in Corpus Christi's 5-2 win over the Missions. Reliever Rene Cortez took the tough-luck loss, allowing two runs on no hits and no walks in 1.1 innings. Brian Moon was 2-for-3 to pace the offense...June 15...San Antonio scored five runs on six hits in the fifth inning as the Missions pulled away from Corpus Christi in a 9-2 win. Gary Harris was 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI, while the usually light-hitting Ismael Castro hit his second homerun in three games to lead the winning offensive attack. Starter Jon Huber allowed six hits and two runs in six innings, improving his record to 4-3. Reliever Chris Key earned his first save of the year with three shutout innings...June 16...Starter Bobby Livingston was stellar, improving his record to 6-3, in a 3-0 San Antonio shutout of Midland. Livingston struck out nine, while allowing just four hits in eight innings. Emiliano Fruto struck out two RockHounds in a perfect ninth for his third save of the season. At the plate, Jaime Bubela was 3-for-4, while Gary Harris was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in the win...June 17...Starter Juan Sandoval allowed just one run on five hits in six innings, while Luis Oliveros hit a two-run triple in a 5-1 San Antonio win over Midland. In relief of Sandoval, R.D. Spiehs pitched three no-hit innings for his first save of the season...June 18...Jesus Guzman, who had almost driven in the winning run for San Antonio in the ninth and 14th innings, hit a 17th-inning, walk-off solo homerun, giving San Antonio a 2-1 win over Midland. On Guzman's other two hits, baserunner Ismael Castro was gunned down at the plate. Reliever Tim Rall earned the win, striking out seven in five perfect innings. Rall and Emiliano Fruto combined the retire the final 22 RockHounds batters in the five-hour, 14-minute epic.

TEXAS LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE WEEK, May 30 - June 5, 2005

Steve Stanley, Midland RockHounds

Midland's Steve Stanley has been named the Texas League Player of the Week for June 13 - 19, 2005. In seven games, Stanley batted .517 (15-for-29) with three doubles, five walks and five runs scored. From June 13 - 16, Stanley strung together four straight multi-hit games against Frisco and San Antonio. In a 17-inning marathon loss to San Antonio on June 18, Stanley was 4-for-8 at the plate. In the field, Stanley threw out San Antonio's potential game-winning run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth, forcing extra innings. The week saw the 5-foot-8 centerfielder raise his average more than 20 points to .308. For the season, Stanley has hit 12 doubles, two triples and four homeruns, while driving in 26 runs mostly from the leadoff spot. He has walked 29 times, while striking out just 30 times in 61 games. Oakland drafted the 25-year-old Ohio native in the second round of the 2002 amateur draft out of Notre Dame. In three professional seasons, Stanley has hit a combined .297 with four homeruns, 101 RBI and 190 runs scored in 297 games. He split last season between Midland and Triple-A Sacramento. At Midland, he batted .419 in 36 early-season games. He batted .227 with three homeruns and 27 RBI at Sacramento, while walking more times than he struck out (33 BB, 30 SO).

June 13 - 19 Stats .517 avg., 29 AB, 15 H, 5 R, 3 2B, 0 RBI, 5 BB

TEXAS LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE WEEK, June 6 - 12, 2005

Edison Volquez, Frisco RoughRiders

Frisco starter Edison Volquez has been named the Texas League Pitcher of the Week for June 13 - 19, 2005. The flame-throwing right-hander made his presence felt since being recently promoted from Single-A Bakersfield. In his only start last week, Volquez was brilliant against Corpus Christi in a game the entire lower half of the nation had access to on Fox Sports Southwest, South and West. Volquez hurled a complete-game, nine-inning shutout against the Hooks. He allowed only three hits, while walking two and striking out seven. The performance prompted Hooks' manager Dave Clark to say this: "He (Volquez) was still in the mid-90s (in the ninth inning). That stuff you don't teach. He knew he had a shot for a shutout and he kicked it in." Texas signed the 21-year-old La Segunda, Dominican Republic native as an amateur free agent in 2001. In two professional seasons since, Volquez is 10-6 with a 3.85 ERA in 39 games (27 starts) in Single-A. Before being called up, Volquez was 5-4 with a 4.19 ERA at Bakersfield. In 66 innings, he allowed 64 hits, while striking out 77 and walking only 12.

June 13 - 19 Stats 1-0 W-L, 0.00 ERA, 9 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 SO

TEXAS LEAGUE ALUMNI REPORT

Arkansas Travelers

Louisville captain Aaron Holbert ('94) went 4-for-6 on June 7 to become the all-time hit leader for the Louisville franchise. Through June 9, Holbert had 447 career hits, passing the 441 of Gene Roof and Billy Lyons. Holbert has not played since June 9 after suffering a mild strain of the left quadriceps...In the first game of a June 7 doubleheader, Nick Gorneault ('04) hit a pair of homeruns and added a triple, driving in five runs in a Salt Lake win.

El Paso Diablos

Syracuse's Kevin Barker (‘97-'98) hit four homeruns and drove in 12 runs, the best totals in the IL in both categories through June 13. During 10 games ending on the 13th, Barker hit .382...Injuries at the Major League level cause the parent Colorado Rockies to purchase the contract of infielder Tim Olson (‘01-'03) from Colorado Springs. Olson was sent back to Colorado Springs when first baseman Ryan Shealy was called up...Sergio Santos (‘03-'04) hit .357 in eight games ending June 13, slugging a homerun with six RBI and three runs scored in that span...Edgar Gonzales ('03) was called up by the parent Arizona Diamondbacks on June 9, but returned to Tucson on June 12...Tucson's Scott Hairston ('03) was the PCL Player of the Week for May 30 - June 5, prompting a call-up from the parent Arizona Diamondbacks June 8...Matt Kata (‘01-'02) was sent down by Arizona to Tucson on June 4.

Frisco RoughRiders

While Louisville batters hit .302 in 10 games through June 13, shortstop Santiago Perez ('04) hit just .194 in that span...On June 6, the Milwaukee Brewers called up Julio Mosquero ('04) from Triple-A Nashville...Oklahoma's Adrian Gonzalez ('03) hit just .222 in 10 games ending June 13, with no homeruns and only two RBI. He ended the week in a 3-for-19 slump...Through June 13, Jason Botts ('04) was batting .311 with a team-leading 13 homeruns and 46 RBI for Oklahoma.

Jackson Generals

Pawtucket first baseman Roberto Petagine (‘92-'93), who turned 34 on June 7, provided an offensive spark in his first month with the PawSox. Through June 13, Petagine already had nine homers and 25 RBIs in just 29 games to go with a .321 batting average. Petagine won back-to-back IL MVP awards in 1997-98...Iowa's Trenidad Hubbard ('91) hit .371 in the Cubs' last 10 games through June 13, including .467 in the last five in that span...Fresno's Todd Linden ('02) hit .410 in his last nine games, through June 13, with five homeruns and 14 RBI helping establish him as one of the PCL's top Triple Crown candidates. Through the 13th, Linden was tied for the league lead with 19 homeruns and was tops in the PCL with 58 RBI. He was hitting .326 thanks to a six-game hitting streak in that span.

Midland RockHounds

Syracuse's John-Ford Griffin ('02) struggled in 10 games through June 13, hitting just .138 and falling into a 2-for-15 funk in that span...Oklahoma's Esteban German (‘00-'01) hit .476 in six games through June 13, 10th-best in the PCL during that span. He also had a .607 on-base percentage...Brant Colamarino ('05) has cooled off in Sacramento recently, batting just .227 in the RiverCats' last 10 games through June 13.

Round Rock Express

Sacramento's Keith Ginter ('00) hit .522 the week ending June 13, sixth-best in the PCL. Ginter has batted .366 in his team's last 10 games through the 13th.

San Antonio Missions

On June 6, Columbus placed infielder Damian Rolls ('98) on the DL...Syracuse starter Josue Matos ('02) limited Buffalo to six hits and two runs in five innings, while Julius Matos went 2-for-4 with a double, homer and four RBIs as the SkyChiefs beat Buffalo, 8-3, in the second game of a doubleheader June 7...No batter has been hotter for Salt Lake City than Luke Allen (‘98-'00). Allen hit six homeruns with 11 RBI and 11 runs scored in 10 games through June 13...Jamal Strong ('02) continued his torrid hitting of late, batting .429 in nine games through June 13. After hitting just .235 in an April marred by a 15-game suspension for violating MLB's drug-testing laws, Strong hit .300 in May...On June 3, Jose Lopez ('03) was activated from the DL, while Greg Jacobs (‘03-'04) was released to make room for him. Jacobs hit just .203 in 16 games since coming off the suspended list for testing positive a second time for a banned substance.

Shreveport SwampDragons

Fresno's Doug Clark (‘99-'02) was among the PCL's top ten hitters during the week of June 6-12 when he hit .500.

Tulsa Drillers

On June 10, Jason Romano (‘00-'01) joined Louisville after being demoted from the Cincinnati Reds..."I had nine innings off. All I'd done to that point was sit on the bench and eat seeds." - Norfolk shortstop Benji Gil told the Virginian-Pilot after scoring the winning run as an 11th-inning pinch-runner in Norfolk's 4-3 victory over Durham on June 8..."People look at me and say 'This guy can't run.' I can't run as good as I used to, but I guess my stride gets me where I'm going." -- 6-foot-5, 230-pound Michael Rosamond ('04) told the Richmond Times-Dispatch after beating out a slow roller to first for a single that scored the winning run in the R-Braves' 6-5 victory over Rochester on June 7...Injuries at the Major League level have caused the Colorado Rockies to promote Colorado Springs' Jorge Piedra ('03) on June 10 and Ryan Shealy ('04) on June 12. Shealy hit his first big league homerun against Cleveland June 16.

Wichita Wranglers

Memphis' Raul Gonzalez (‘96-'98) hit .311 in 10 games through June 13, with three homers, 10 RBI and 11 runs scored...Omaha's Justin Gemoll (‘03-'04) hit .375 in the Royals' last 10 games through June 13, with eight RBI and nine runs scored...Omaha catchers have struggled at the plate recently as Paul Phillips (‘99-'00) and Scott Walter (‘02-'04) combined to bat just .174 in recent Omaha games. Phillips has hit just .227, while Walter hit a microscopic .125 in that span...Omaha first baseman Ken Harvey ('01) dropped a foul pop-up in the top of the ninth inning against Memphis on June 9, allowing the Redbirds to score a go-ahead run. However, Harvey tipped the scales in his favor with a two-run, walk-off double in the bottom half of the ninth of a 5-4 Omaha win.

THIS WEEK IN TEXAS LEAGUE HISTORY

June 20, 1923...Lead-off man Jack Calvo led a 19-hit Fort Worth attack with a perfect 5-for-5 day in the Panthers' 14-1 pounding of San Antonio. Second baseman Ed Hoffman chipped in with three doubles in the rout. June 21, 1911...Houston's Charlie Rose walked three and hit two Oklahoma City batters, yet beat the Mets 5-1, as he allowed just one hit to the losers. An eighth-inning single by pitcher Jimmy Drohan gave the Mets their only hit and run of the game. The single run for the Mets was the first that they had scored in the past three games. June 22, 1960...Victoria unleashed a vicious 28-hit attack as they mauled Vera Cruz 22-6. Four Victoria batters each had four hits, including Kal Segrist who also had five RBI's. Don Miles also drove in five runs, three coming on a homer during a nine-run second inning. Shortstop Frank Costro added three hits and four RBI's and led all Victoria players by scoring five runs. June 23, 1985...San Antonio right fielder Jose Gonzalez was a perfect 5-for-5, but could not prevent a 6-5, 10-inning Dodgers' loss at El Paso. Diablos slugger, Joey Meyer, blasted a two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th inning that gave El Paso a come-from-behind, walk-off win. June 24, 1899...Galveston continued pounding San Antonio pitching. One day after taking a 16-hit, 13-12 win from the Bronchos, the Sand Crabs collected 23 more hits on the way to drubbing San Antonio 23-10. Every player in the Galveston lineup collected at least one hit in the game, while both Lefty Houtz and Piggy Page had four each. June 25, 1964...For the second time in five days, Mel Corbo knocked in five runs, leading Albuquerque to a lopsided win. Corbo was 4-for-5, with a double and a home run in the Dukes 14-3 victory over El Paso. His big blow was a three-run homer in Albuquerque's seven-run first inning. June 26, 1938...Facing each other for the first time since the 1934 World Series, Beaumont's Lynwood "Schoolboy" Rowe and Dallas' Paul "Daffy" Dean squared off in front of 9,400 Exporters fans. In the '34 Series, Dean, then pitching for St. Louis, topped Rowe of the Detroit Tigers. In this contest, Rowe bested Dean 2-1, despite being out pitched. Dean allowed just four hits in the game, while Rowe scattered eight. Rowe, however, helped himself with the bat. He hit a leadoff double in the sixth, later coming around to score the go-ahead run when Les Fleming doubled to left later in the inning.

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