Three Stars of the Day 6/14/09


1. James McDonald - RHP - Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA)

McDonald had his second superb start in a row for the 'Topes. McDonald followed up his seven inning ten K performance with seven innings of shutout ball. McDonald struck out 13 in his latest performance. He walked one and gave up just two singles. McDonald earned his first win for the 'Topes giving him a record of 1-0. McDonald threw 106 pitches, 70 of which were strikes. McDonald has struck out 40 batters in 31.1 innings of work at the Triple-A level. Claudio Vargas pitched two innings of scoreless relief to preserve the shutout. The 'Topes won the game 4-0.

2. Scott Elbert - LHP - Chattanooga Lookouts (AA)

Elbert has been a strikeout machine for the Lookouts lately, racking up Ks by the handful. In his last four starts Elbert has struck out 9, 10, 9, and 9 batters respectively. In his latest outing, Elbert lasted five innings and gave up three earned runs. Elbert took the loss which balances his books for the year (2-2). Elbert 93 pitches, 57 for strikes. The Lookouts lost a close one 3-2, Josh Lindblom, Victor Garate, and Francisco Felix combined to throw three innings of scoreless relief but the bats could not come up with an equalizer.

3. Nathan Eovaldi - RHP - Great Lakes Loons (A-)

Eovaldi pitched four innings of scoreless relief behind Ethan Martin to earn his first save of the year. Eovaldi's four shutout innings extended his scoreless innings streak to 17.1 innings. Martin gave up a run in five innings while striking three and walking three. Eovaldi struck out one, walked one, and gave up just one hit. Eovaldi lowered his ERA to 4.66 on the season.