July 5, 2007 at 6:12 AM
Lancaster captures Southern Division 1st Half Honors
7/5 Cup of Coffee: Weather on July 4th played havoc with the schedule as Pawtucket, Portland and Lowell all saw their games postponed.
The lack of other games is perhaps fitting as it allows the focus to be on Lancaster who on America's birthday captured the California League's Southern Division 1st Half Championship with a convincing 12-4 win over Inland Empire. Justin Masterson (8-5) threw 7 innings giving up 2 runs on 5 hits. He did not walk a batter and had 5 Ks. Kevin Guyette threw 1 inning allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and 2 BB. He had 2 Ks. Chad Rhoades pitched a scoreless 9th. He gave up 1 BB. Bubba Bell went 3 for 6 and scored a run. Tony Granadillo went 3 for 5 and scored 2 runs. Zach Daeges went 2 for 5 with a RBI. Mark Wagner went 3 for 4 with 2 home runs, 3 runs scored and 5 RBI. Mickey Hall went 2 for 4 with a home run and 3 RBI. Ryan Khoury went 3 for 5 with a run scored and a RBI.
Greensboro edged Greenville 6-5. Daniel Bard started and went 3 innings. He allowed 1 run on 5 hits and 4 BB. He had 3 Ks. Brian Steinocher (2-8) took the loss going 2 innings. He allowed 5 runs on 8 hits. He had 1 K. Ryan Phillips threw 3 scoreless innings. He allowed 1 hit and did not walk a batter. He had 4 Ks. Argenis Diaz went 3 for 5 and scored a run. Chih-Hsein Chiang went 3 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI. Jon Still went 1 for 5 with a home run.
In the Gulf Coast League, the Red Sox defeated the Reds 5-3. Tony Bajoczky (1-1) went 5 innings giving up 2 runs on 6 hits. He did not allow a BB while striking out 7. Armando Zerpa went 1 2/3 innings allowing 1 run on 2 hits and 2 BB. He had 3 Ks. Mauricio Mendez threw 1 1/3 scoreless frames. He allowed 1 hit while striking out 1. Chad Povich pitched a scoreless 9th giving up 1 hit. Oscar Tejeda went 3 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI. Luis Sumoza went 1 for 4 with 2 RBI. Mitch Dening went 1 for 3 and scored 2 runs. Che-Huan Lin went 1 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI.
Player of the Night: Mark Wagner who went 3 for 4 with 2 homers, 3 runs scored and 5 RBI to lead Lancaster to their first half Southern Division title. Honorable mention goes to Justin Masterson.