Gerrard follows Gentry’s success
Spokane’s Craig Gentry was named the Indians’ Most Valuable Player for the month of June, but a sore back has kept him out of the last five home games.
Spokane manager Mike Micucci said they’re trying to get Gentry back to 100 percent before he plays again.
“We want to make sure we don’t get to a point where we push him too hard and then all of a sudden he’s going to miss a month,” Micucci said.
Grant Gerrard has been hitting in the leadoff slot in place of Gentry and has become one of the top 10 batters in the Northwest League.
As of Friday, Gerrard was ranked No. 6 with a .354 batting average and ranks high in several offensive categories. He is third in the league with 23 hits, fourth with 13 RBIs, third with nine extra-base hits and tied for first with three triples.
Micucci said when Gentry is ready he will resume his spot in the leadoff position and in center field.
“He’s really a catalyst for our team in the leadoff spot and the way he patrols the outfield,” Micucci said.
Also nursing an injury has been right-handed pitcher Jose Jaimes. Jaimes started Tuesday’s game against the Tri-City Dust Devils, but was taken out in the fourth inning because of soreness in his arm. Since then his arm has been feeling better and he should be fine, Micucci said.
Jaimes is 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA and led the Indians with 18 strikeouts until Michael Wagner struck out seven on Friday night against the Yakima Bears, giving him 21.
Rest day coming
The Indians have played 20 consecutive games since opening day on June 19. For players in the NWL who were drafted out of college, playing every day has become something to which they’ve had to adjust.
In the beginning of the season Micucci would have his team arrive at Avista Stadium around noon on game days for practice. Now that the players are getting a little banged up, Micucci has had the team come later in the day – around 3 p.m. on some days – or had no practice on game days. Tuesday will be the first day the Indians have had off this season.
Stealing home
Spokane third baseman Steve Marquardt was traveling home for the Indians’ three-game series against the Tri-City Dust Devils, which began on Saturday.
Marquardt is a graduate of Kennewick High School and played at Columbia Basin College. He was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 23rd round in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft and signed at the conclusion of Columbia Basin’s 2006 season.
Around the NWL
The Eugene Emeralds’ Matt Antonelli was awarded Offensive Player of the Week in the NWL for the week ending July 1. Antonelli started the week batting .182, but at the end he was up to .326. He is now batting .476 (10 for 21). … Adam Cowart of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes earned Pitcher of the Week honors for the NWL. Cowart is 2-0 with 0.00 ERA in 11.0 innings pitched.