By Rick Mariotti
Minor Leagues Beat Writer
Chicago Sports Online
Grand Junction, Colo. – It was a miserable week out west for the Grand Junction Gold Sox, who stumbled to a 2-5 week and fell out of first place for the first time this season.
The Gold Sox dropped 2 of 3 on the road against the Topeka Thunderbears (Wichita), then traveled to Hollywood and dropped 2 of 3 to the Silver Stars (California). Grand Junction ended its week at home, dropping the first of a 3-game set against the Springdale Roosters (Nashville).
In a bleak week, the Gold Sox 7-0 win against Topeka on May 14 stood out in sharp relief.
SP Ichchaam Chepchumba went 8.1 innings, allowing 5 hits, 0 runs, and 2 walks with no strikeouts. His PQS score: 3.
RF Juan Benítez delivered the big blow of the game: a grand slam homer in the 6th to put the game out of reach. LF Rick Torres also had a big day at the plate: 3-4 with a run scored.
Seventh Week Scores
At Topeka
05/12: Topeka 3, Grand Junction 2
05/13: Topeka 5, Grand Junction 4
05/14: Grand Junction 7, Topeka 0
At Hollywood
05/15: Grand Junction 5, Hollywood 2
05/16: Hollywood 5, Grand Junction 3
05/17: Hollywood 5, Grand Junction 4
At Grand Junction
05/18: Springdale 2, Grand Junction 0
Record as of May 18
W-L Record for Week 7: 2-5
Overall Record: 27-18, .600
Position in Standings: In 2nd place in the PL West Central Division, 1 game behind Aspen.
Position Players of Interest
| Player | Slash Line | OPS | HR | RBI | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Kemp, LF/DH/SP | .311/.349/.495 | .844 | 4 | 12 | 0.4 |
| Robby Clements, 1B/OF | .242/.266/.393 | .660 | 6 | 21 | -0.8 |
| Danny Bennett, LF * | .373/.412/.654 | 1.066 | 9 | 26 | 1.7 |
| Shannon Morrison, SS | .175/.224/.336 | .559 | 4 | 18 | -0.2 |
| Pitcher | ERA | W-L-SV | IP | K's | BB's | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romeu Tameiro, SP | 4.08 | 3-4 | 75.0 | 42 | 13 | 1.9 |
| Paul Kemp, SP/OF/DH | 3.60 | 6-1 | 45.0 | 31 | 5 | 1.1 |
| Orlando Barries, CL | 5.21 | 3-3-11 | 19.0 | 15 | 6 | -0.3 |