- Louisville dropped both of their games with Gwinnett over the weekend. On Saturday, the Bats lost 7-3. Even with 11 hits, they had trouble getting runners in. Drew Sutton led the way going 3-for-4, and Norris Hopper and Chris Valaika had two hits each. In Sunday's game, they lost 6-3 in extra innings as Robert Manuel had some trouble for the first time in quite a while. The big story here was Edwin Encarnacion's rehab start, where he went 0-for-2 with a walk. The Bats only had 4 hits in 10 innings, including a solo HR from Kevin Barker, and wasted a good start by Ramon Ramirez. Ram-Ram went 6 innings and only gave up 2 runs. He still doesn't deserve to be called up over Homer Bailey, as long as we're keeping track. Up next: Homer Bailey takes on Gwinnett at 7:05. This start lines him up to take the vacant starter's role on Saturday. Just sayin'.
- Carolina must be missing Yonder on offense, as they lost both of their games against Tennessee over the weekend. They got shut out 7-0 on Saturday, as Dallas Buck had some trouble with the Smokies bats. Todd Frazier was 2-for-4, but the Mudcats couldn't get any offense going. On Sunday, they lost 8-6 in a game where Alexander Smit got chased out in the 2nd inning in his first start off the DL. Jose Castro, Chris Denove, and Eric Eymann had two hits each. Is Chris Heisey starting to fall back to earth? He was 0-for-8 on the weekend to bring his average down to .344. Up next: No starter listed for the Mudcats as they take on the Smokes again at 7:15, but it should be Zach Stewart's turn.
- Sarasota has been off all weekend for their All-Star break. Representing the S-Reds were Devin Mesoraco, who was a DH and was 0-for-2 in the festivities, and Enerio Del Rosario who pitched a perfect 2/3 of an inning and struck out one. Up next: The S-Reds are back in action against Palm Beach starting at 7:05. Matt Klinker will get the start.
- Dayton split a pair of games against West Michigan over the weekend. They lost on Saturday, as they were able to put up a ton of offense (7 runs on 15 hits) but the pitching couldn't hold it together, losing the game 8-7. Obviously the big story from that game was Joey Votto, on a rehab assignment, hit the first pitch he saw from Mark Sorenson out of the ballpark (literally) for a home run. He'd add a single and a run scored before the night was over, and even stole a base. In actual Dragons news, Kyle Day hit his 3rd HR of the season, and Carlos Mendez and Byron Wiley had three hits each. On Sunday, the Dragons won 7-6 in the Reds minor leaguers only win of the weekend. Soak it in, Drags fans. Joey Votto went 1-for-3 in this game with an RBI. Byron Wiley led the way in this one too, with a HR and 4 total RBI, and Michael Konstanty added two hits for Dayton's cause. Lance Janke started the game, giving up 3 runs in 6 innings, but impressively struck out 10 batters in the process while only walking one. Up next: Dayton goes on the All-Star break next, with the event being held in beautiful Clinton, Iowa at Alliant Energy field. Representing the Dragons will be catcher Kevin Coddington and starting pitcher Matt Fairel, who may start the game for the East.
- Roster Moves: Matt Maloney was added to the Louisville roster after being optioned from the big club. Also of note, Edwin Encarnacion is now on the Bats roster on his rehab assignment. Alex Smit is back from the DL in Carolina, and another big Mudcat goes down as Juan Francisco goes on the DL with a pulled right hamstring. Up in his place is Jake Kahaulelio from Sarasota. Joey Votto is in Dayton for the time being, but will probably move up soon.
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