Southside Pride

Sox Update: Pinch hitting, Pablo Ozuna knocks in the winning run as the Sox beat the Royals 4-3 and complete the sweep in KC. El Duque's line doesn't look half bad - 5 IP and 6 Ks. But 6 walks combined with 4 Sox error keep it close.

The Sox are still the hottest team in baseball and no one wants to rain on that parade. One thing to keep in mind, this early in the year, there has been some luck involved - the Sox are now 9-1 in one run games. On to Oakland!

Down On The Farm:

Charlotte (AAA): Despite my promise yestreday to stop reporting on the pitiful Knights, I don't have much of a choice today. Thankfully, Brandon McCarthy comes to the rescue and stops the bleeding as the Knights beat Richmond, 7-2. His line looks fine - 8 Ks in 6 IP and just one earned run - a solo homer. The one knock on BM - a fielding error. The Knights also came alive on offense for once; Anderson goes 3 for 4, scores 3 runs, collects 3 RBIs, and comes up a single short of the cycle. Burke homered and drove in 2. Spidale was 2 for 4.

Birmingham (AA): Beat Montgomery 5-2. A big day for Rogo- 3 for 5 with 3 runs scored and an RBI, though he also committed a throwing error. Owens was 3 for 4. Meanux continues to pitch well thus far this season; in 3 and 1/3rd he stuck out 6, though he did give up a homer and 2 ER.

Winston-Salem (A): Beats Potomac again 7-3.
Collaro Watch: 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs. Schnurstein continues to be hot as well, going 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs. Amador was 2 for 4 with 3 RBIs, including a homer. Haigwood has a fine outing - 5 and 2/3rd IP, 7 Ks, no ER.

Kannapolis (A): Lose 3-1 to Hickory. Kelly goes 2 for 3 with 2 doubles. De Los Santos also had two hits. Hansen drops to 0-4, but his line doesn't look terrible; 6 IP, 1 ER, 2 Ks, 4 walks, he just didn't get the run support today - 11 LOB (and 3 Intimidator errors, too).

Baseball phrase of the day: mustard 1. n. velocity. 2. n. a fast ball.