The Providence Journal

Steven Krasner - Chiefs 4, PawSox 2 -- Zink takes tough loss in first game back

Pawtucket’s Josh Wilson led off the game with a line-drive homer to left. It was his second round-tripper in 16 games since having been obtained from the Pittsburgh organization on Aug. 2. … Charlie Zink, in his first game back for the PawSox after one game in Boston, was masterful, but wound up saddled with a tough loss. Zink (13-5) permitted only three hits in seven innings. Unfortunately, that included solo homers by Hector Luna (second inning) and Danny Sandoval (seventh). The knuckleballer whiffed seven and did not walk a batter. … George Kottaras slugged his 22nd homer of the year, leading off the ninth.

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Right-hander Devern Hansack was placed on the disabled list because of a right-forearm contusion. Edgar Martinez will start in his place Friday night, with Michael Bowden given an extra day off. He’ll pitch Saturday. … Outfielder/first baseman Lane was signed as a free agent. … McBeth, a right-hander, was claimed off waivers from Louisville. … Sandy Madera, who had homered in two of his last four games, fouled a ball off his ankle on the road trip and was out of action. …



Steven Krasner - PawSox’ Snyder and Lane hope to get called to Boston

Lane joined the PawSox after being granted his release on Monday from first-place Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the New Yankees’ top farm club and the team that was leading Pawtucket by 2½ games in the I.L. North Division heading into last night’s action.

He was quickly plugged into the starting lineup, in right field.

Snyder, meanwhile, is working his way through a frustrating season that began in Boston and has wound up in Pawtucket, where the right-hander endured two trips to the disabled list because of groin issues before being restored to the roster on Aug. 13.

“That would be the goal,” said Lane of a call-up to Boston, “but it’s something that’s out of my hands. Hopefully they have a need at the next level.”

And hopefully for Lane, he can hit well enough for Pawtucket to show that he can supply some punch off the bench, a commodity the Red Sox would like to have, especially after their deal for San Diego’s Brian Giles fell through. Since then, Mike Lowell (strained oblique, disabled list) and J.D. Drew (back stiffness) have had to leave the lineup.

Brendan McGair - Zink pitches well in PawSox's 4-2 loss to Chiefs

PAWTUCKET – For Charlie Zink, it wasn’t the case of flushing last week’s major league debut out of his system. Tuesday night’s start was merely a continuation of what was working prior to getting called up to Boston.
Zink made two mistakes, both solo home runs, in seven innings as Pawtucket bowed to Syracuse, 4-2, before 8,291. Throwing 91 pitches, Zink struck out seven and walked no one.


Brendan McGair - Community awareness is important to PawSox's Pauley

PAWTUCKET – Those who flock to McCoy Stadium see David Pauley as the right-handed pitcher who is currently enjoying a banner season for the Pawtucket Red Sox. The 25-year-old is tied for the league lead in wins (13) heading into his start tonight against Syracuse while ranking seventh in ERA (3.45).

There’s another side to Pauley. He’s among the team leaders in a category that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet, that being charitable endeavors and community appearances, whether it’s taking time out his busy schedule to visit a school or hospital, Pauley has demonstrated on countless occasions he goes way beyond the normal duties of a ballplayer.

Sea Dogs' streak ends as late rally falls short; A three-run ninth isn't quite enough as Altoona holds on to end Portland's win streak at six games.

ALTOONA, Pa. — Portland's ninth-inning rally fell short and Altoona ended the Sea Dogs' six-game winning streak with a 7-6 victory Tuesday night at Blair County Ballpark.

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Portland trailed 7-3 after eight but scored three runs with two outs in the ninth on an RBI double by Jorge Jimenez followed by a two-run homer by Zach Daeges.

After a single by Aaron Bates, Ronald Belisario relieved and got Lars Anderson to ground out to second base for the final out.

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Kris Johnson (8-8) took the loss, giving up six runs, five earned, on 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings.


Kevin Thomas - He's sky-high as a prospect with Sea Dogs; Lars Anderson spends time looking upward while reflecting – all part of the persona that will take him a long way.

There is no reason to believe anything will stop Anderson, at least in his quest for the major leagues.

He has become a standout baseball player everywhere he's landed, including Portland, where he's batting .356 in 28 games for the Double-A Sea Dogs, with five home runs, a .459 on-base percentage and a 1.081 OPS (slugging average plus on-base percentage).

Anderson, the thinker, is 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, and knows how to play baseball.

As well as Anderson can interpret a Bob Dylan song or quote from one of his favorite authors (Charles Frazier, Barbara Kingsolver and David James Duncan, to name a few), Anderson also can analyze the situation when he steps into a batter's box.

"Lars is going to evaluate the pitcher a little bit and then decide how he's going to attack it," Sea Dogs Manager Arnie Beyeler said.

One simple example is last week's series against Altoona. After drilling an inside fastball over the right-field wall for a home run Tuesday, Anderson knew the pitches would be going outside. With the bases loaded Thursday, Anderson poked an outside fastball over the left-field fence.

But to go with the brain comes the physical gift.

"Lars has a very short, compact stroke to the baseball and power to all fields," Sea Dogs hitting coach Dave Joppie said. "He's blessed. He's got a lot of life in those hands, a lot of strength in that swing.



Kevin Thomas - More on Lars


In Pawtucket, Charlie Zink (13-5, 2.88) marked his return to the minors with a solid outing in a loss (7 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 7 K) ... George Kottaras (.240) hit his 22nd home run ... Jeff Corsaletti (.193) went 2-for-3.

Portland lost 7-6, stopping a six-game winning streak ... Zach Daeges (.321) hit his sixth home run ... Kris Johnson (8-8, 3.58) had a tough go (5 2/3, 10 H, 6 R, 0 BB, 3 K).

In Lancaster, Kris Negron (.348) remained hot since his promotion, going 4-for-5 ... Ryan Kalish (.269) was 2-for-5 ... Cody McAlilster (3.19) got his 5th save (1 IP, 1 K).

17-year-old third baseman Michael Almanzar has scuffled since he moved up to Greenville, but went 2-for-4 on Tuesday ... Oscar Tejeda (.250) went 3-for-5.

Greenville Drive romp on road

The Drive fell behind 3-0 in the second inning, but struck back to tie the score in the third thanks to a two-run single by Oscar Tejada and another RBI hit from Jered Stanley.

The Drive erupted for five runs in the seventh to all but put the game away, highlighted by a David Marks two-run double.

Kevin O'Malley - Jackson impressive on the hill in debut

WORCESTER— After being released by the Red Sox last week, it didn’t take long for Litchfield, N.H., native Kyle Jackson to find a new team to pitch for.

After his performance last night at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field, 2,398 fans are awfully glad he chose Worcester over his hometown Nashua Pride as Jackson pitched 6-2/3 solid innings en route to the Tornadoes’ 5-4 win over the New Jersey Jackals.

It was just the third win for the Tornadoes in 11 games against the Jackals this season.


“This is an opportunity for me to get some innings in and use it as a tryout for spring training next year, and help the team win and try and get them to the playoffs,” said Jackson prior to the game. “I feel great about being here. I got put in a situation where I got released by the Red Sox. They gave me an opportunity to come here, and a chance to start and try to log some innings, and we’ll see where things go (afterwards).”

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Jackson looked like a pro prospect last night, surrendering four runs on three hits to get a no-decision. He fanned three and walked four.

Dan Goldberg - Kalish makes himself welcome

LANCASTER - Ryan Kalish is a highly touted prospect in the Red Sox organization. That does not mean he is immune from the pressures reserved for the new kid in the clubhouse, and he admitted to feeling the jitters after his promotion from Low-A Greenville one week ago. The right fielder said he was looking for a way to ingratiate himself with his new teammates. It took longer than he would have liked, but he finally got it done, hitting a bases-clearing double in the seventh inning and propelling the JetHawks to an 8-5 victory over High Desert.

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The JetHawks' impatience at the plate kept them from scoring despite myriad opportunities. They finally managed a run in the fourth when Michael Jones led off the frame with a home run to right field. They scored again in the sixth when Luis Exposito's single cut the deficit to 5-2 and chased starter Travis Mortimore. The Mavericks' beleaguered bullpen induced a double play to end the inning, but Aaron Reza led off the seventh by hitting a ball onto Avenue I and the next three JetHawks reached base, setting up Kalish's game-winning hit.

"I always look fastball away," Kalish said. "Anything else, I am reacting to."

Steve Uhlmansiek threw a 1-1 fastball belt high and over the middle part of the plate, which Kalish hit over the center fielder's head.

"He put it right there," Kalish said. "It was nice to get it right there."

The JetHawks padded their lead in the eighth when Yamaico Navarro singled home Reza and Kris Negron.

The Lowell Sun

Spinners in final drive to playoff berth

Coming out of the New York-Penn League All-Star break, the Spinners lead the Stedler Division by a comfortable 6 1/2 games with 17 left to play, and the club has put playoffs tickets on sale.

The Spinners have posted a 19-7 record since July 20, when they were 13-18 and in third place, 3 1/2 games behind the perennial division champion Oneonta Tigers. They have won six straight.

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Particularly crucial is the nine-game trip to Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Hudson Valley. All three teams are contenders in the tough McNamara Division where Brooklyn and Staten Island thumb their noses at player development and play to win.



Postseason tickets on sale

LOWELL -- The Lowell Spinners, driving toward their first division title and playoff appearance in their 13-year existence, have put tickets for post-season games at LeLacheur Park on sale.

The Spinners would be guaranteed at least one home game if they make the playoffs.

Ticket prices for the playoffs are unchanged from the regular season. Reserved seats are $5, box seats $7, and premium box seats $8.

Spinners OF Luis Sumoza Named NY-Penn League Player of the Week

Lowell, MA - The Lowell Spinners, Class-A Affiliate of the World Series Champion Boston Red Sox, announced today that Spinners outfielder Luis Sumoza was named New York Penn-League Player of the Week for the week beginning Monday, August 11.

Sumoza, Lowell's clean-up hitter, was 13-for-23 (.565) with four doubles and three homeruns last week, giving him a 1.130 slugging percentage with 10 RBI and eight runs scored, as the Spinners completed a 6-1 week leading into the All-Star Break.

Sumoza had four multi-hit games, including three three-hit games for the week, reaching base in eight consecutive plate appearances at one point.

The Citizen

A.L. All-Stars fall in ninth

The New York-Penn League American League All-Stars lost in the bottom ninth on Tuesday, when Tyler Stohr of Oneonta gave up three runs. Stohr relinquished the AL's two run lead and the National League ended up on top, 4-3 at Joe Bruno Stadium in Troy.


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Caleb Joseph, of Aberdeen led off with a single, before Hudson Valley's Jason Tweedy singled and stole second, Mike Gosse of the Tigers hit an RBI single. Then, the Renegades' Anthony Scelfo was walked and Mitch Dening of the Lowell Spinners finished the inning with an RBI single.

Greensboro News Record

Keith Tolbert - Grasshoppers bullpen battered in loss to Drive

After Greensboro tied the game again at 5, Harvey could not hold the lead, running into immediate trouble in the seventh inning after the leadoff batter reached on an error. The Drive then scored five runs to take a 10-5 lead, with the big hit being a double from David Marks that knocked in two runs.

JetHawks Sweep Away Mavericks with Another Come From Behind Win

(LANCASTER, CA) - The Lancaster JetHawks sent the High Desert Mavericks to another disheartening loss Tuesday night at Clear Channel Stadium. For the second straight game, Lancaster struck in the seventh inning, pulling in front for an 8-5 win. The JetHawks finish a sweep of the Mavericks and have now won four straight. Upon the conclusion of the Lancaster game, Rancho Cucamonga was trailing Lake Elsinore. A Quakes loss would move the JetHawks back into first place in the second half and cut their magic number for clinching the best record in the South to seven.

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After scoring a run to close the gap to three in the sixth inning, the big rally came in the seventh. Aaron Reza started the frame off with a solo homer. Singles by Luis Segovia and Kris Negron, as well as a walk to Yamaico Navarro, loaded the bases. Ryan Kalish cleared them with a double to center field, giving the JetHawks their first lead. Navarro helped pad the lead with a two-run single in the ninth.


Felipe Garcia earned the win with two scoreless innings of relief. That was followed by a shutout frame by Cody McAllister for his fifth save. Negron had a big night, matching his career-high with four hits. Luis Exposito had three hits and a RBI while Kalish, Jones, and Reza each had two hits.