Position change for Santana
Julio Santana is getting mixed results in his move to the mound.
The former Spokane Indians’ infielder was moved down to the Arizona Rangers of the Arizona Rookie League on July 12. Santana, who played second base for the Northwest League Champion Indians in 2005, made a successful debut appearance on the mound last Sunday.
His work out of the bullpen against the Arizona League Cubs resulted in a win. He pitched one inning with one strikeout and a walk.
Santana’s second appearance out of the bullpen on Thursday against the Arizona League Padres didn’t work out in his favor. He gave up two runs and had two walks in 1/3 innings pitched.
Celebrities in the crowd
The Indians have invited Carrie Underwood to sing the National Anthem at Avista Stadium on Aug. 7. The Indians will host the Vancouver Canadians at 3:30 p.m. Underwood will be in town for a concert at the Star Theatre later that night, but the Indians haven’t heard back from the former American Idol champion.
Former Seattle Mariners outfielder Jay Buhner is scheduled to make an appearance in Monday’s game at Yakima. The Bears face Eugene.
Around the NWL
Adam Cowart of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes leads the NWL with a 0.46 ERA. Cowart (6-0) has given up four runs (two earned) in 39 innings with four walks and 20 strikeouts. Opponents are hitting just .148 against him. He shares the league lead in wins at 6-0 with Vancouver’s Scott Deal.
“Deal was given NWL Pitcher of the Week honors for earning a pair of victories. Deal posts a 1.38 ERA over 39 innings pitched.
Against the Indians on July 17, Deal pitched six shutout innings. He did the same in his next start, July 22 against Eugene.
“Tyler Colvin of the Boise Hawks was awarded Offensive Player of the Week for his .367 batting average with 11 RBIs.
Colvin hit safely and drove in at least one run in six straight games, including hitting home runs on July 20 and 21. Against the Indians on Thursday, Colvin went 5 for 5, including a double and a triple, in Boise’s 13-8 win.
“Eugene’s Craig Cooper is on a bit of a tear. He is 5 for 10 with two home runs, eight RBIs and five runs scored in his last two games.
Cooper went 3 for 5 on Thursday night with a grand slam against the Everett AquaSox.