6/24/10: Week 9 Highlights

   Since losing to the Cardinals last, the Rangers have reeled off seven straight wins with a doubleheader sweep of those same Cards on Sunday, June 20 at Xenia HS. The Rangers' 3-4-5 combo of Clint Wolf, Robert Riley, and Ty Adams combined to go 11-for-21 with 5 home runs, two doubles, a triple, and 9 RBIs. The Cards got home runs from Kevin Butts and Joseph Richards. Jonathan Silverman struck out a career-high 14 to improve to 5-1, and Jelani Arnold pitched 5+ innings of relief to pick up his first win since 2005.
   The Thunder fell out of first place in the Miami Division with a 4-1 loss to the Royals at West Carrollton HS. Matt Walters struck out 14 for the Thunder, but Royals' lefty Bryan Braswell earned the victory as the Royals scored 3 runs late off the Thunder bullpen. A key series takes place next Sunday as Miami Division front-runners (Thunder and Rangers) hook up in a double-dip at West Carrollton with All-Star implications in play.
   The Indians remain in striking distance of the Miami Division lead as they have pulled off three straight wins on the heels of a 15-10 victory over the Slammers. Aaron Lawson picked up the win and homered twice for the Tribe.
   The Sox pounded out 14 hits en route to a 15-3 victory over the Dragons. Brandon Ward doubled and had three hits. On the mound, Mitch Jones, Mason Reynolds and Tyler Fruhwirth gave up three runs over 8 innings of play.