By Rick Mariotti
Minor Leagues Beat Writer
Chicago Sports Online
Beloit, WI – The Beloit Blue Sox flipped the script in Week 7 of its AA schedule, going 5-1 after a 2-4 showing the week before.
Ironically, the Sox played their best ball of the season in their first week without their undisputed star, Hao Hang, who was promoted to AAA Carolina.
The Sox took 2 of 3 from the Anderson Joes (San Fernando), then returned home to sweep a 3-game set from the Sioux City Xplorers (Omaha). Beloit then went on the road again and captured the first contest in a 3-game set with the Frederick Travelers (Charm City).
In a week composed mostly of highlights, the one that shone most brightly was a 19-12 slugfest victory over Anderson on May 12.
The Sox banged out 23 hits (to Anderson’s 13), including 5 doubles and 3 home runs. RF Myeong-hwan Im went 4-6 with a double, a homer, a walk, 4 runs and 4 RBIs to help pace the offense, while LF Ricardo Torres went 3-6 with a double, 2 runs and 3 RBIs.
Player of the Game honors, deservedly, went to Im.
Outfield prospect Danny Bennett, called up from Single A Grand Junction to take Hang’s place on the roster, had a nice debut week: .292/.320/.625 with 2 homers and 5 RBIs.
Seventh Week Scores
At Anderson
05/12: Beloit 19, Anderson 12
05/13: Beloit 3, Anderson 0
05/14: Anderson 8, Beloit 3
At Beloit
05/15: Beloit 5, Sioux City 4
05/16: Beloit 4, Sioux City 3
05/17: Beloit 10, Sioux City 4
At Frederick
05/18: Beloit 4, Frederick 2
Record as of May 18
W-L Record for Week 7: 6-1
Overall Record: 25-20, .556
Position in Standings: In 2nd place in the DNL Mid-Central Division, 2.5 games behind St. Joseph.
Position Players of Interest
| Player | Slash Line | OPS | HR | RBI | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hao Hang, LF ** | .359/.419/.852 | 1.271 | 20 | 39 | 2.7 |
| Ricardo Torres, RF | .309/.356/.543 | .899 | 9 | 27 | 1.3 |
| Juan Lozano, SS | .242/.301/.389 | .690 | 2 | 9 | 0.3 |
| Spencer Hillson, C | .244/.306/.370 | .676 | 3 | 8 | 0.5 |
| Juan De La Cruz, 3B | .300/.333/.475 | .808 | 2 | 22 | 0.7 |
| Danny Bennett, LF | .292/.320/.625 | .945 | 2 | 5 | 0.1 |
| Pitcher | ERA | W-L-SV | IP | K's | BB's | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andresa Frederico, SP* | 0.00 | 0-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 |
| Tsurayaki Saito, SP *** | 6.45 | 3-3 | 37.2 | 17 | 16 | 0.2 |
| Weston Etheridge, RP | 2.20 | 1-0-0 | 16.1 | 20 | 6 | 0.5 |
| James Matarazzo, RP | 1.88 | 2-0-0 | 14.1 | 14 | 3 | 0.6 |
| Francisco Salgado, CL**** | 2.00 | 1-1-13 | 18.0 | 19 | 2 | 0.7 |
** Promoted to AAA Carolina on May 12
*** Demoted to Grand Junction on May 12
**** Promoted to AAA Carolina on May 19