Gil Meche, not known for giving up too many home runs, has now allowed two in his last two starts. Both homers that Meche allowed Friday night in Pittsburgh tied the game in the 3rd, then put the Pirates up for good in the 4th.
Meche pitched five innings allowing four runs on five hits while walking three and striking out two. After the Royals took a 2-0 lead in the second off Pirates starter Virgil Vasquez, the bats were shut down for the rest of the night until the Royals scored a run trying to rally in the 9th.
Pirates’ rookie Nyjer Morgan hit a two run homer in the bottom of the 3rd to tie the game and then rookie catcher Jason Jaramillo homered with one out in the 4th. The Pirates added single runs in the 5th and 6th to give plenty of support for Vasquez who went six innings allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out seven for his first win of the year.
Meche gives up two homers in loss to Pirates
Blues go to Sweden for 1st round pick
The St. Louis Blues went to a Swedish Elite team to pick defenseman David Rundblad with the 17th overall selection in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. The 18 year old was ranked high on the Blues draft board.
On the NHL Network’s coverage of the draft, Blues president John Davidson said he kept sliding down further and further and when he was available, they picked him. He said the Blues are very happy with this pick.
Rundblad, is a native of Lycksele, Sweden. At 17 he played well picking up 10 assists in 45 games. He spent 10 games with the junior team this season, scoring 15 points including 8 goals. He told the NHL Network that the biggest difference between the NHL and Swedish Elite League will be the speed of the game.
Royals’ Ponson suspended from international baseball
Royals pitcher Sidney Ponson has been suspended from international play for two years after testing positive for a stimulant during the World Baseball Classic. The International Baseball Federation said Ponson tested for an appetite suppressant called Phentermine.
Ponson pitched well for the Netherlands in the WBC and earned a contract and spot in the Royals’ starting rotation, but has struggled and is now rehabbing at AAA Omaha as he recovers from an elbow strain.
Also, Cubs catcher Geovany Soto tested positive for marijuana during the WBC. As far as Ponson appetite. Have you seen him lately? Doesn’t look like it’s suppressed all that much
Fan falls from upper deck at Busch Stadium
The heat Friday night may have led to a fan falling out of the upper deck at Busch Stadium before the game. 34 year old Chris Hoffman of O’Fallon fell headfirst. Joe Walsh, the director of stadium operations said Hoffman was being treated for an injury to his shoulder, a gash on his face and other bumps and bruises. Fans around the area at the time said he looked like he passed out before fallings.
Mizzou golfer to move to Missouri State
Missouri State men’s golf coach Neal Stafford has announced that Will Hogan, a native of Ozark, Mo., will transfer to MSU this fall from the University of Missouri. Hogan, who will be a sophomore for the Bears, earned a regular spot in the Tigers’ lineup as a redshirt freshman this year. He completed 30 rounds and averaged 75.1 strokes per round in 10 tournaments, including 22 rounds in the 70s and a season-low round of 69.
"We are very excited to have Will join our program this fall," said Stafford. "He has been one of the top amateur players in the state for the last few years, and we are obviously very familiar with his game. For him to come back home and want to be part of our program is big news for our team."
Hogan finished third in his first collegiate event this fall at the Rutherford Intercollegiate in Farmington, Pa. He later finished 17th at the Austin Peay Intercollegiate meet with a season-best total of 216 for the 54-hole tournament. He did not play at the 2009 Big 12 Tournament, the only meet in which he did not participate.
As a junior at Ozark High School, Hogan tied for overall medalist honors at the 2006 MSHSAA Class 3 Golf Championship at Silo Ridge in Bolivar. He then tied for 10th place as a senior at the Class 4 state meet at Fremont Hills. He was named 2006 Missouri Junior Player of the Year and finished first at the US Junior Amateur Qualifier that year. He also finished third at the 2008 Missouri State Amateur Championship.
"I’m real excited," said Hogan. "I know most of the players (at MSU), and I know coach Stafford really well. I am anxious to come back home and help the Missouri State golf program. This is a great opportunity for me to focus on my future, and I look forward to the next three years."
Story courtesy of Missouri State athletics.
