Valencia Stars: 29-27 (.518) # 4

[leejay56]

This last week the Stars pulled within .5 of California. This season all the teams are very close and its going to be a wild, wild run for the playoffs...

SP Brian Middleton In an unforgettable performance the 33-year-old Middleton fanned 16 strikeouts Crusaders and sparked the Valencia Stars to a 1-0 victory over California. Then in his next start, Middleton spun his magic again on the Hawaii Tropics. He blanked them 7-0 on 4 hits, registering 6 strikeouts and 2 walks. In Middleton last two starts his starts are 17.1 innings pitched, 9 hits, 2 walks and 22 K's...Middleton this season is 8-3 3.52 ERA...With one more win it will give him a career 150 wins...

Rookie SP José León put together a very solid month to take home the Johnson League's top pitching honor in May. The 24-year-old reliever threw like a veteran. In no relief appearances he raked in no saves and 34 strikeouts in 44.2 innings as he put together his 5-1 record and 2.01 ERA. So far this year León is 9-2 record and 2.61 ERA.