Three Stars of the Day 6/27/09


1. Steven Johnson - RHP - Inland Empire 66ers (A+)

In a game overshadowed by the presence of one Manny Ramirez, Steve Johnson pitched one of his better games of the season. Johnson pitched seven shutout innings to earn his sixth win of the season. Johnson struck out seven batters while walking just one and giving up just three hits. Johnson pitched three and two/thirds innings of shutout ball in a relief stint in his last appearance. So he is working on a 10.2 scoreless innings streak. Johnson lowered his ERA to 3.87 on the year and he a struck out 86 batters in 79 innings. His record moves to 6-4 on the year. Could we see Johnson in Chattanooga soon?

2. Tommy Giles - RF - Chattanooga Lookouts (AA)

After struggling early on in his Southern League career, Giles picked up his play of late and he sports a very solid slash line of .297/.404/.568. It's important to note that Giles only has 74 at-bats in the Southern League but still it's promising. In his latest outing, the Miami Hurricanes product had a perfet day at the plate. Giles was 3-3 at the plate and he also drew a walk. Two his hits were round-trippers, Giles' fourth and fifth of the season. Giles' two RBI gave him eleven in Double-A.

3. Pedro Baez - 3B - Inland Empire 66ers (A+)

Baez has his second two-hit game in a row with a 2-4 effort at the plate in support of Steve Johnson's brilliant start. Baez's two hits were doubles, giving him 15 for the season. Baez had two RBI, upping his total to 46 on the year. Baez been solid in the hitter friendly Cali League, OPSing .830. This coming after a season in which he was demoted to short season rookie ball in Ogden.