By Rick Mariotti
Minor Leagues Beat Writer
Chicago Sports Online
Beloit, WI – The Beloit Blue Sox blitzed through their week at a 5-2 clip – and still lost a game to division leading Duluth.
But there was a touch of good news: Beloit took a half-game lead over St. Joseph in the Wildcard race.
And for a hint of still more good news, although SP Andressa Frederico struggled in his first start after returning from shoulder surgery (3.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 7 BB) his second start was strong (6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 Ks).
The Sox will continue coddling him with a pitch count for the rest of the season, but the front office pronounced itself pleased with his progress so far.
“Fingers crossed we can keep him healthy,” said Black Sox General Manager Vic Caleca.
Week 20 Scores
At Burlington
Burlington 7, Beloit 3
Beloit 5, Burlington 2
Burlington 3, Beloit 2
At New Bern
Beloit 10, New Bern 5
Beloit 9, New Bern 5
Beloit 6, New Bern 2
At Beloit
Beloit 9, St. Joseph 8
Record as of Aug. 10
W-L Record for Week 20: 5-2
Overall Record: 69-51, .575
Position in Standings: In 2nd in the DNL Mid-Central Division, 13 games behind Duluth.
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 | .311/.374/.595 | .969 | 32 | 74 | 4.3 |
| Juan Lozano, SS | .237/.316/.374 | .690 | 4 | 32 | 1.1 |
| Spencer Hillson, C | .242/.340/.341 | .690 | 6 | 29 | 1.1 |
| Juan De La Cruz, 3B | .278/.315/.448 | .763 | 10 | 51 | 1.1 |
| Danny Bennett, LF | .261/.325/.539 | .864 | 16 | 49 | 0.7 |
| Francisco Rosales, 1B | .277/.342/.502 | .845 | 21 | 58 | 2.3 |
| Pitcher | ERA | W-L-SV | IP | K's | BB's | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andresa Frederico, SP* | 3.00 | 1-1 | 9.0 | 6 | 8 | 0.1 |
| Tsurayaki Saito, SP *** | 6.45 | 3-3 | 37.2 | 17 | 16 | 0.2 |
| Weston Etheridge, RP | 2.13 | 3-0-0 | 38.0 | 48 | 12 | 1.1 |
| James Matarazzo, RP | 3.06 | 3-1-18 | 47.0 | 38 | 19 | 1.0 |
| Francisco Salgado, CL**** | 2.00 | 1-1-13 | 18.0 | 19 | 2 | 0.7 |
| Felipe Méndez, SP | 2.89 | 15-7 | 171.1 | 131 | 42 | 4.2 |
| José López, SP ***** | 3.88 | 6-4 | 102.0 | 85 | 19 | 2.7 |
** Promoted to AAA Carolina on May 12
*** Demoted to Grand Junction on May 12
**** Promoted to AAA Carolina on May 19
***** Promoted to AAA Carolina on July 6; demoted to Beloit on July 28.