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| Wandy Rodriguez | Mike Pelfrey |
| 8- 12, 4.49 | 1 - 7, 5.43 |
Those who are interested might note that the Salem Avalanche lost the second game of their best-of-three Carolina League playoff series with the Kinston Indians last night.
Tied at 0 in the bottom of the ninth, Kinston shortstop and second-place hitter Josh Rodriguez hit a one-out solo shot off reliever Raymar Diaz to end the game and tie the series.
Salem lefthanded starter Polin Trinidad pitched seven scoreless before giving way to Diaz, allowing 3 hits, while fanning 7 and walking none. Avs shortstop Wladimir Sutil had two hits for the Avalanche, who outhit Kinston, 7 - 4, but had no extra base hits.
The series concludes tonight at 7:00 PM at Kinston, with the winner facing the Frederick Keys for the right to call themselves Carolina League champions.
Go Avs!
I'm sure you've read the latest story at the official site on Brad Ausmus. While I'm somewhat surprised that Ausmus wants to continue to subject himself (and us!) to the rigors of catching and the frustrations of hitting, the use of the word "mentor" in the article makes it pretty clear that Tal Smith and Drayton McLane have pretty clear ideas that Ausmus should coach and or manage for the organization at some level in the future.
Earlier ideas expressed onsite (probably by me) that Brad would make a good manager for the big club next year are obviously pie in the sky, but Wednesday's story makes me think all the more that Ausmus will be wearing a coach's jersey for the Astros sometime in the reasonably near future.
It also makes me think he'd do a good job at it, too.