Duffy Two-Hitter Gets No Decision

Sets Down Eight on Strikes

DANNY DUFFY did not pocket a victory Sunday but he impressed as much as if he had.

At Salem, Virginia Duffy (9-3) fired five and two-thirds innings of two-hit baseball at the Salem Red Sox in a Carolina League contest the home team eventually won 3-2.

Duffy allowed only five base runners and allowed only one of them to reach second base. He struck out six straight batters through the fourth and fifth innings.

He gave up a home run, only the fifth he has allowed in 120 innings this season, in the sixth when Salem took a 1-0 lead but Duffy’s Wilmington Blue Rocks knotted the score, and took Duffy off the hook, in the seventh.

The performance allowed the lefty’s season earned run average to slide lower to 3.13. In his last four starts Duffy has posted a miniscule ERA of 1.35.

His strikeout-to-walk ratio is now 117-40. His eight K’s move him into second place in the Carolina League.

He ranks #5 in the league in ERA. It is worthwhile to mention that Duffy is a year younger than all four pitchers with better ERA’s. Duffy will not be able to drink legally until December.

His 120 innings is the most he has ever thrown in a season. With the season ending in a week, it appears that Duffy will have one more chance to rack up victory #10 and slip that ERA below the 3.00 mark. Duffy’s Wilmington club is affiliated with the Kansas City Royals.

White Promoted; Duffy Cops Ninth

Chris White Defies the Odds

CHRIS WHITE has done it again.

For the second year in a row White, the onetime Cabrillo and Sacramento City College centerfielder, has so impressed the Detroit Tiger management that he has won a mid-season promotion.

White was elevated last Friday from Lakeland of the Class A (Advanced) Florida State League to Erie of the AA Eastern League, just two jumps from the major leagues.

Last year it was from short-season A to low A. This year if was from high A to double AA. And in neither case did White sport the eye-popping statistics sports prognosticators say are needed to win promotion up the greased ladder of minor league baseball.

White was batting .235 for Lakeland yet boomed a home run in his second game with Erie.

It was the same last year. White was batting just .230 with Oneonta of the Class A Short-season New York –Pennsylvania League when he was promoted to the Midwest League where he jumped his batting average fifty points to .284.

White has played most of this summer in the Florida league which at High A is one level higher than the Midwest. Most Lompoc sports wise guys were looking for the more heralded, and statistics-laden, Danny Duffy to be advanced from High A at this point in the season. But it's White instead. Wow.

Duffy Walks High Wire to Triumph


They say a good pitcher can win on his off days.

DANNY DUFFY must be good for he pitched from a high wire as if auditioning for the Flying Wallendas Tuesday night as he picked up his ninth victory of the season in a 4-2 verdict over the Lynchburg Hillcats.

Duffy gave up seven hits including three doubles and a triple, and most tellingly, struck out just one batter.

Duffy sports a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 109-37, this in 115 innings pitched. When he does not notch strikeouts you know he did not bring his best stuff to the mound. And yet he gained the triumph to make his season record 9-3 and shave his ERA to 3.21.

Duffy worked out of trouble in every inning but one. He had runners in scoring position in every frame but the fifth.

The first batter of the inning was the most successful against Duffy. In five of six innings the leadoff hitter banged a base hit, a double in the first, a single in the second, a triple in the third, a double in the fourth and a double in the sixth.

After the leadoff man was on base Duffy bore down to allow only two singles, both driving in runs. He left six runners on base and picked one off.

Maybe it was not a work of art but it was solid work. Duffy is with Wilmington of the Class A (Advanced) Carolina League.

Church Hurting

Lower Back Strain Benches Him

RYAN CHURCH has spent the past week serving as a capable replacement for Nate McLouth in center field for the Atlanta Braves.

But the versatile outfielder found himself as a member of the growing list of injured Braves players, who were unavailable for Saturday night's game again the Marlins.

Church played through the lower back discomfort caused by an aggravated his sacroiliac joint during Friday night's series opener against the Marlins. But when he returned to Turner Field on Saturday afternoon, he found himself battling spasms and a discomfort level that could keep him sidelined until at least Tuesday.

"It was coming on during one of the games in New York and I was just trying to grind through it," Church said. "But it's starting to (spasm) now.

"It's one of those things that's just a day-to-day type of thing," said Church, who like Garret Anderson has dealt with this ailment in the past.

With Church, Anderson and McLouth unavailable, the Braves starting outfield on Saturday consisted of Reid Gorecki in center, Omar Infante in left and Matt Diaz in right. Infante, who hadn't previously started in the outfield this year, was replaced at second base with Kelly Johnson.

Duffy No Hits Frederick

No hits, no runs

DANNY DUFFY racked up his first no-hit performance of the season Thursday night, shutting out the Frederick Keys over five innings.

Duffy faced 18 batters and allowed just four base runners, three on walks, one on a hit batsman, his first of the season. He struck out six.

He plunked the leadoff batter, he walked a man in the second, he walked a man in the third but promptly picked him off, and walked one in the fifth. The fourth went 1-2-3.

Nobody in a Keys uniform reached third base. Only one reached second.

Unfortunately, though Duffy departed after five innings leading 5-0, his Wilmington relief allowed five runs and the Lompoc lefty had to settle for a no-decision.

Still Duffy lowered his season’s earned run average to 3.22 and his strikeout to walk ratio to a sensational 108-36. In 109 innings he has allowed just 94 hits.

Duffy ranks #5 in the Carolina League in earned run average and #4 in strikeouts.

Both teams wore a variety of throwback Negro League jerseys in a tribute to the greats of the circuit. Coincidentally, the Blue Rocks did the same thing on Saturday in Duffy's prior start. Duffy had trouble getting comfortable in the vintage gear this time though and changed his uniform top twice, including a change to his usual Wilmington road gray from the third inning on.
In four starts against the Frederick Keys, Duffy is 2-0 and the team is 4-0. Frederick has mustered just one unearned run against Duffy in 24.1 innings.

Since a two-week absence from the hill due to lower-back stiffness, Duffy has allowed only one hit over nine scoreless innings, holding opponents to a .036 batting average (1-for-28).

And he’s still just 20 years old.

When will they ever learn ?

PRO BASEBALL


When will they eeeev-ver learn?


You simply don't give up on the Lompoc kids - even when they reach the pro's . Ryan Church, and his Atlanta Braves teammates, reminded the Mets, while the T-Bones watched the 'Ship' sail right on past.
Ryan Church

After a year and a half of jerking Ryan Church around the Mets traded him to Atlanta on July 10th. He had sustained a concussion in '08 spring training, but returned to play quite well before taking a knee in the head for a 2nd concussion. He tried to play through that as well, despite being in a fog much of the rest of the season. It didn't help that almost every time he started to get hot, they yanked him from the line-up.

In the spring this year, the organisation treated him like he was a kid who had been trying to play hookey - with the GM & manager making slighting remarks and assigning him to rookie-type duties. Among other things they intimated that he coundn't hit lefties and tha his power was gone. Finally, after trying to replace him with almost everybody they could, he was named the starter in right field.

He began the season hot, real hot. You could even make the case that he carried the Mets for much of the first month, aaaannnd -- was pulled from the line-up. Then the Mets signed a aging Gary Sheffield to take his spot. They eventual dealt him to the Braves for Jeff Francour, despite being one of the few steady players they had on a squad decimated by injuries.

At the time of the trade, both team were struggling. The Mets at 40-44, and Atlanta with a 41-44 record. Since the trade, the Mess have continued in the rut the were in -posting a 16-20 record, while the Braves went 22-13 and have climbed back into playoff contention. Part of that resurgence has been due to 'Churchie'.

Despite posting respectable numbers for New York, in the 27 games played since joining the Braves, he has increased his On-base% by 35 points (to .367), his slugging% by 54 points (to .429), and his OPS by 89 points (.796). And while his batting avg. has dropped a bit (.280 to .262), his power has reappeared - 2 homers & 8 doubles in 27 contests vs. 2 homers and 16 doubles in 67 games with the Mets. His plate discipline has also been outstanding 14 walks and 14 strikeouts.

Last night the Metropolitans recieved an up-close and personal view of what 'Churchie' can do when he is treated well. He was 3-5 with 2 doubles, an RBI, and 2 runs scored in a 15-2 rout by Atlanta. The Mets won 3 of 5 versus Atlanta with Ryan, but have been 2-4 without him. They have one more tonight and two more 3-game series down the stretch.

And speaking of being treated like a piece of meat ...

Andy Shipman

Andy had a bad game last night. He was brought in with two runners on and one out in the 9th inning, gave up an RBI double, and RBI single, hit a batter, and gave up the winning run on a fielder's choice. This outing raised his ERA clear up to - 1.57 !!! The loss was only his 2nd since joining the Gary Southshore Railcats on June 3rd.

Last year, 'Ship' joined the Kansas City T-Bones late in the year and helped them win a league title. In 10 games (15.1 innings), he was 1-1 with a 2.35 ERA. He allowed 4 runs (all earned) on 11 hits, walked 5, and struck-out 16. His K/inning were equal to his WHIP (1.04).

After some hesitation over the winter, KC signed him to an 09 contract on March 30th. Once the season started, on May 15th, Andy made 5 appearances (5.1 innings) in a 9 day span and then was waived. Why?? Well, he did have a couple of bad outings, but he was also a member of a bullpen that had problems.

His first appearance was in the middle of a 9th inning parade that saw 14 batters come to the plate, and 8 runs score in a 10-4 loss. He faced 3 batters & surrenderred 3 consecutive hits, including a 3-run homer. The next day, however, he had a perfect 9th, albiet in a losing effort. Two days after that he threw 2 innings, including another perfect 9th, to earn a save.

Three days later, after a scoreless 8th, he again had problems, allowing 4 consecutive hits in the 9th (Sgl, Sgl, FldChc, Sgl + Error) that all scored runs. The reliever who replaced him, immediately coughed up an RBI double that tagged him with another run.

In his last appearance, 2 days later, the pen blew a lead in the 9th which tied the game. Pitching the 10th, Andy struck out the first batter, but the catcher dropped the ball and the runner was safe. A sacrifice and an RBI single ended the game. Result - 0-2 record, 1 save, bloated ERA, and pink slip on May 27th.

The Railcats, 6-11 at the time, however, liked what they saw and signed him. They liked what they got even more. Entering last night's game Shipman had a 1.32 ERA and a 4-1 record, giving up 7 runs (5 earned) and 23 hits in 34 innings. His SO/W ratio was 2.8 (28 to 10). Result - 12 saves, the best ERA in the league for pitchers with more than 3 innings (now 2nd), and a NL Pitcher of the Week award. His 37 appearances are 5th in the NL, and he is tied for the league lead with 13 saves.

It has worked out pretty well for the team as well. The Railcats (51-35) have clinched a playoff berth and are battling for 1st place in the Northern League. Two nights ago they overtook the slumping Winnipeg Goldeyes (it's a fish) by thumping the Joliet Jackhammers 17-4. But last night's loss dropped them .002 points behind, but even in games, to the streaking (9 consecutive wins) Fargo-Morehead Redhawks (50-34). Winnipeg (49-36) is 1.5 games back.

Oh!!! Those T-Bones that didn't need the 'Ship' when they were 6-3 back in May ? Well, they have a team ERA of 4.99, a total of 15 saves, and a 38-46 record. Might be time to break out the grill !!!

Christopher White

Meanwhile in Lakeland Florida, Chris White had a great night. In something of a batting slump, the 21 year-old Lompoc native busted loose against the Clearwater Threshers (Sharks), helping the Flying Tigers to a 10-7 victory. Batting in the #2 hole, he led off the third inning with a line drive solo shot, and followed it up with an RBI ground-rule double in the 6th. He also had another busy outing in right field.

Although he is the 3rd youngest player on the squad, he has been playing and starting regularly (90 games played - 3rd on the team), but rotating through the outfield spots - centerfield (50%) and 25 % each in right and left. He has only 2 errors, 7 assists, and 173 put-outs on 184 chances. Offensively he is 5th on the team in total bases (107), 3rd in walks drawn (28), and 2nd in stolen bases (14).

Daniel Duffy

Danny Duffy [8-3, 3.38 ERA] is the probable starter for the FSL-North leading Wilmington Blue Rocks tonight. Danny is the youngest (by at least 3 years) of the 6 main starters on the team (4 regular & 2 split the 5th spot). He is 4th on the team in innings pitched (104), #1 in ERA among the regular starters, tied for the team lead in wins (8).

And finally -- this comment from The Royal Tower website:

If you haven't heard, the Royals finally inked LHP Chris Dwyer, who was the
team's fourth round selection this year. He got a $1.45M bonus. The deal was in place well over a month ago but wasn't signed until today to at least somewhat respect the commissioner's "slotting system." If you need any proof to prove that the deal was agreed upon well in advance, just consider he made only one start in the Cape Cod League this summer. Dwyer has three above average pitches -- a 90-94 MPH fastball, a downer curve, and a changeup. He has to clean up his command a little, but he'll likely be on the fast track to Kansas City. I personally would love to see him join the Wilmington club to round out the year...because no one is going to beat a rotation of Montgomery-Duffy-Gutierrez-Dwyer in the playoffs.

-- el stato

Church Counsels Wright on Concussions

CHURCH TEXTS FALLEN MET

NEW YORK -- If anyone can empathize with David Wright's plight as a victim of post-concussion syndrome, it is Ryan Church, whose two concussions with the Mets last year both ruined his season and sparked controversy over how the team handled his situation.

"I am the guinea pig," Church said Tuesday, before his first game as a visitor at Citi Field. "If it's going to help out and prolong guys and their careers, so be it. Somebody's got to do it."

And so Church has texted back and forth with Wright ever since the Mets third baseman suffered a concussion on a fastball to the helmet in Saturday's game against the Giants. Church offered up medical advice, although Wright may not need to accept -- his symptoms are not nearly as severe as those Church endured last summer.

Still, it was a pleasant exchange, quite unlike the one between Church and his former manager, Jerry Manuel. Just after Wright suffered his concussion, Manuel compared the injuries and potential recovery times of the two players, referring to Wright as "a different animal."
Church, whose symptoms were so severe that that he feared sleeping at one point last season, fired back Tuesday.

"It was kind of a cheap shot, but it is what it is," said Church.

Certainly, then, Church was appreciative of the "change of scenery" he received when the Mets dealt him to the Braves in exchange for Jeff Francoeur. Despite some initial struggles, he is playing nearly every day, even recently beginning to thrive. Church began August on a 9-for-21 tear that included five extra-base hits.

More importantly, he is playing on a team within spitting distance of a postseason berth. And he is playing without fear of sustaining another concussion.

"It's a crazy thing," Church said. "Concussions stink. I would recommend not getting one."
Though Wright did not follow that recommendation, he may be wise to follow his former teammate's advice now. And so far, albeit a bit reluctantly, he has. In the months since Church's head slammed into Yunel Escobar's right knee, baseball teams have shown increased caution in how they deal with concussions.

A week after Church suffered his injury, for example, Blue Jays second baseman Aaron Hill endured a concussion and spent the rest of the season on the disabled list. He returned this season to make the All-Star team.

And after Wright suffered his concussion, the Mets -- notoriously slow to place their players on the disabled list -- shelved him and admitted that there is a chance his season may be finished.
Church made note of that, before texting over his own advice.

"It's in our DNA to want to be out there," Church said. "But it's not something to take lightly or mess around with. It could be dangerous."
Anthony DiComo is a reporter for MLB.com.

Duffy Sharp in Return

Shuts Down Nationals

DANNY DUFFY returned Saturday night after missing three turns on the mound for the Wilmington Blue Rocks of the Carolina League.

It was as if he’d never left.

The Lompoc lefty reeled off four scoreless innings, gave up just one hit, and struck out seven of the 15 Potomac National batters he faced.

His relief gave up three runs or Duffy would have posted his ninth victory of the season.

Duffy gave up both of his two bases on balls in the first inning but he notched his second strikeout to retire the side with runners on second and third.

He gave up a leadoff double in the second but stranded the runner on a strikeout, a fly ball and a ground out.

The third and fourth innings went 1-2-3 against the club which gave him a defeat and his toughest time of the year back in June.

Duffy lowered his earned run average to 3.38 and lifted his strikeout-to-walk ratio to 102-33. He has now won eight games and lost three in 104 innings pitched.

The best news of all was that Duffy reported no signs of the back tightness that kept him off the hill over the last two-plus weeks.

As reported by his father Duffy suffered a slight muscle pull against Myrtle Beach back on July 23. Then on July 28 he found it hard to loosen up and his pitches were hit hard by Lynchburg. Two weeks of rest and relaxation were prescribed.

Duffy’s performance has helped propel Wilmington, a Kansas City Royals affiliate, into first place in the league. He is still just 20 years old.

Duffy to Return Today

After Missing Three Turns

For those who have noticed that Danny Duffy has not pitched since July 28, here's the scoop direct from his dad--

At the Myrtle Beach game vs. Tim Hudson in July he made an awkward off balance throw home and suffered a minor muscle strain in his lower back. He made his next scheduled start vs. Lynchburg and the first two innings went well but it stiffened a bit and he couldn't get on top of his pitches and the result was that they hit him pretty hard until his catcher and manager noticed him constantly bending over stretching trying to get loose. They decided that rest was the best medicine and he subsequently missed three starts. He threw a live session the other day and felt great and he is slated to start today vs. Potomac in Wilmington at 6:00 p.m. EST. As you may know the BlueRocks have won 18 of their last 21 and are in first by a game and a half. Hopefully they can increase that lead today. Dan Duffy

Lompoc Locker Room Mailbox-- Wrestling, softball

Notes from the fans--

Hey, I was checking out the website this morning and noticed the article on MARCELL BLOW from Nationals a few weeks back. Good to see some wrestling coverage. Thanks. I just wanted to let you know that he wasn’t the only local boy at Fargo that Week, JESUS MEDRANO Cabrillo’s 215-lb wrestler was also there wrestling in both Greco and Freestyle, he went 3-2 in both styles coming home with a 7th place finish in Freestyle.

Armando Robles

Thanks, Armando. Here's a shot of Jesus. He's the one in red.

-0-

Softball Opportunity

California Stars Coast Announce
12U & 14U Tryouts
The California Stars Coast Girls Fast Pitch Softball Association would like to personally invite you to attend our tryouts for the 2009-2010 season. We’re an organization dedicated to increasing the athlete’s skills and showcasing their talents. The California Stars Coast has been represented the last three years at USA/ASA National tournaments, which is the goal of the most competitive teams in the nation. The teams have also qualified to participate each year in Triple Crown, USSSA and AFA championship events. Tryouts will take place at:

Hagerman Softball Complex
3300 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria

Saturday
August 15, 2009
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Wednesday
August 19, 2009
5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Sunday
August 23, 2009
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

For more information, please contact Carolyn Kleinsmith at
(805) 598-5423 or visit our web site www.leaguelineup.com/californiastars.

Hey ! Remember Me ?

#25 Ryan Church's 3 game return from the DL has been impressive - 5-8 (.625 BA), .700 OBP, 1.125 SLG%, and an astounding 1.825 OPS [over 1.0 is considered very good]. It was capped off by Friday's explosion against the Dodgers at Chavez Ravine. Aside from driving in the first & last RBI's of the game, he went 3-5, scored 2 runs, had 4 RBI (all with 2 out), a double off a LHP in the 7th and a 3-run homer. Not bad for a guy whom the Mets and their followers would have us believe can't hit lefties, can't hit for power, and can't hit in the clutch.

In his 17 games (13 starts) for the Atlanta Braves, the LHS Grad, has improved over his Mets numbers in BA (.283 to .295), OBP (.351 to .436), and Slugging % (.388 to .455). In 55 plate appearances he has 13 hits (2 doubles & a homer), 11 walks (1 intentional), but only 7 strikeouts. All while playing excellent defense, mostly in right field. Maybe its wearing a uniform that has "Braves" on it again.

Tsunami Swim Team Junior Olympic Results

From Jeff Storie, Tsunami Head Coach

The Lompoc Tsunami Swim Team placed 10th out of 24 teams at the Central California Junior Olympic Swim Championships, held in Fresno July 30 through August 2. The team accumulated 590 points led by Paola Hernandez with her five-1st, one-2nd and three-3rd place finishes, good enough to capture the 13-14 girls high point award with 165 points.

The top 16 swimmers advance from the prelims to swim again in the final each night (top 8 in the championship finals and places 9-16 in the conciliation finals) for final places and points. Clovis Swim Club won the team title with 3312. Teams from central and southern California and Nevada where represented. The Tsunami swimmers are in their last week of practice before ending the long course season with a one day meet in Santa Maria this weekend.

Paula Hernandez (14) 50-free 3rd, 100-free 2nd, 200-fr 3rd, 100-back 1st, 200-back 1st, 100-butterfly 1st, 200-butterfly 3rd, 200-individual medley 1st, 400-individual medley 1st.

Alfredo Navarro (14) 50-free 27th, 100-free 26th, 200-free 24th.

Samantha Carroll (12) 100-free 16th, 200-free 9th, 50-back 14th, 100-back 12th, 50-butterfly 16th, 100-butterfly 8th, 200-individual medley 16th.
Abigail Stangle (12) 100-breaststroke 16th.

Jamison Diep (12) 50-free 11th, 100-free 11th, 200-free 13th.

Blake Espinoza (12) 50-breast 7th, 100-breast 7th, 50-butterfly 13th.

Eduardo Cardenas (12) 50-free 4th, 100-free 14th, 200-free 6th, 50-breast 2nd, 100-breast 2nd, 50-butterfly 4th, 100-butterfly 5th, 200-individual medley 6th.

Ciara Carenas (9) 100-free 17th, 200-free 11th.

Lia Zarinan (10) 50-free 18th, 100-free 11th, 200-free 8th, 100-back 15th, 50-back 10th, 100-butterfly 7th, 200-individual medley 5th.

Nicole Zarinan (9) 100-free 16th, 200-free 12th, 50-back 12th, 100-back 9th.

Rique Cardenas (10) 50-free 9th, 100-free 6th, 200-free 10th.

Ryan Dang (10) 50-free 11th, 100-free 11th, 200-free 11th, 50-breast 19th, 100-breast 7th, 100-back 7th, 50-butterfly 7th, 100-butterfly 7th, 200-individual medley 6th.

Jake Robinson (10) 50-free 11th, 100-free 9th, 200-free 9th, 50-breast 8th, 100-breast 9th, 200-individual medley 8th.

Club Sandwich Thursday

SOFT- BALL
Lompoc Smashers
Coach Marc Townes, Coach Brenda Liss, Wendy Rubio, Sydney Townes, Megan Bower,
Madison McNamee, Marci Chavez, Trista Berryman, Angelina Melgoza, Jenna Grossini,
Megan Green, Coach Mike Bower, Ali Nelson, Lexie Barbosa, and Manager Joe Gonzales.

The Smashers finished in ninth place at Nationals, check out their tourney results and the results for the Bombers, Strikerz, and Fresno Force (with Kiley Shae) HERE.

SWIMMING
Lompoc Tsunami Aquatics
Central California Long Course Junior Nationals

Paola Hernandez had another average meet -- AVERAGE for HER !!!!
NINE visits to the podium including FIVE, count 'em, FIVE CHAMPIONSHIPS !!!!
Check out all the Tsunami results HERE.

Baseball
75th National Baseball Congress World Series
Santa Barbara Foresters [SBF]

Lompoc's Ben Ornelas, as reported here on Tuesday, has joined the SBF for their annual jaunt to Wichita. The WS started last Saturday (1 Aug), kicking off the initial group of 5 play-in games followed by 16 1st round contests. A further 8 'Losers Bracket' games have taken place, eliminating a sizable chunk of the 37 teams bracket before the Forresters even take the field.

The SBF, as behooves the 2-time defending champs, begin play tonight (Thurs), in game 17 - one of the last two first round match-ups. Their opponent is the Team Elite Kings [KS] who were 6-4 winners over the Hop Dumont Sluggers [KS] in game #1. The game 17 winner plays the Anchorage [AK] Glacier Pilots (9-1 victors over the San Diego Force in Wednesday's game 6) on Saturday. Tonights losing squad plays the loser of the other 1st round game, Orange Co. Pioneers vs. San Diego Stars, on Friday.

Ornelas to Wichita; Church to Return

ORNELAS TO FORESTERS

Lompocan BEN ORNELAS has joined the Santa Barbara Foresters for the National Baseball Congress (NBC) World Series in Wichita.

The Foresters, perennial champions of the California Collegiate League, are 37-13 this season. They also are the NBC defending champions.

Ornelas played the summer with the Santa Maria Packers where he batted 319, third best on the team. In the spring at Lewis-Clark University in Idaho Ornelas pounded the ball at a .403 clip with seven home runs and 44 RBI, both second best on the team.

The Foresters open play on Thursday.

-0-

CHURCH TO RETURN

SAN DIEGO -- Right fielder RYAN CHURCH could be back in the starting lineup for the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday afternoon when they close out their three-game series with the Padres.
Church, who missed his sixth consecutive start on Tuesday due to a sore right elbow, took regular batting practice.

"So far so good," said Church after hitting in the cage earlier in the day. "I'm going to go and take BP and come back tomorrow morning and see how I feel. If nothing is hurting, then I'll go ahead and hit tomorrow morning and play the game."

Church had a number of cortisone injections over the weekend and has responded well. He hyper-extended his elbow last month and aggravated it on a swing last week.

He was ready to take batting practice on Monday but was told to take another day off to let the anti-inflammatory medication take effect.

"I was able to do a lot of treatment and treat it on Monday," said Church. "Basically it was about getting some rest. That's the thing that they have said from Day 1 -- rest is going to help.

"But it's tough at this point of the season where you can't really sit out," Church added. "I want to play, I want to get in there and do everything possible. At the same time, you have to listen to the doctors. I think we take the right course of action and go from there."

Church is hitting .222 (8-for-36) with one home run and four RBIs since joining the Braves in the trade with the Mets for Jeff Francoeur on July 10. He has hit right-handers well this season with a .294 average (63-for-214).

Sandy Burgin is a contributor to MLB.com.