Bus Leagues Express: June 9

Top stories

Charlotte unveils website for new stadium: Even though no one has put a shovel in the dirt yet, the Charlotte Knights have launched a website touting their potential new ballpark. In fact, it’s already named: BB&T Ballpark. On Monday, Charlotte’s city council will vote on the current funding proposal that sees the city contributing $8 million of the expected $54 million cost. If approved, the team hopes the stadium will be ready for the 2014 season. It will move the team from the suburbs in South Carolina to downtown Charlotte, and the team hopes that move can boost sagging attendance.

Bard iffy in minor league appearance: It took a third of the season, but the Red Sox finally reached the conclusion everyone else did in March: Daniel Bard is not a starting pitcher. The facade finally came to an end last week against Toronto when Bard walked six and allowed five runs in 1.2 innings. On the season, he has more walks than strikeouts, similar to his stint in the minors as a starter. He allowed three runs in an inning for Pawtucket Friday, but he didn’t allow any walks and struck out two. He hit two batters, but he threw 64% of his pitches for strikes. It may take a while to undo the damage from his stint in the rotation, but he should go back to being an effective reliever soon.

Sanabia sharp as New Orleans snaps OKC win streak: Going into Friday’s game, Oklahoma City had won 14 straight at home and nine overall. The winning streak propelled them to the top of the PCL American South division, now 3.5 games ahead of Albuquerque. This coming despite a revolving door of personnel thanks to Astros roster moves. They ran into trouble with starter Aneury Rodriguez allowed three in the first inning, and New Orleans starter Alex Sanabia easily played frontrunner, allowing just one run in seven innings. The three first inning runs were provided by another ML veteran, Gaby Sanchez, who’s trying to work out his struggles in AAA. He had a 4/4 night that included a three run homer in the first, his third since returning to the minors.

Alford signs to surprise of baseball world: When Anthony Alford declared he intended to go to Southern Miss to play football and baseball, it was believed he wouldn’t be signing. When Toronto drafted him in the third round, it raised eyebrows a bit. It’s not a surprise that the Blue Jays took a draft risk, and for them to take Alford that early should’ve indicated that the chances of him signing were higher than previously expected. Thursday, it was announced that Toronto would be signing him for an undisclosed amount, believed to be worth twice the recommended value of the 112th pick of 424,400. The Blue Jays will allow him to play quarterback for the Golden Eagles in the offseason. While Alford has tremendous potential on the baseball field, the track record for players having success in baseball on this career path is not good.

Florida State beats Stanford by a couple touchdowns, runs up the score: Stanford once led this game 1-0, but it was all downhill from there in FSU’s 17-1 win. Everything unraveled in the 4th inning when Pirates first rounder Mark Appel lost all control in a seven run Seminoles inning. That was it for Appel who left after the 4th with a final line of five runs, four earned in four innings on seven hits and four walks with only three strikeouts. He also hit two batters. The next four Cardinal relievers didn’t fare any better, and the Seminoles finished the game with 17 unanswered runs. The Cardinal now face a uphill battle against a very good FSU team that only has to win one of two to advance.

Arizona completes wild comeback… twice: Down 5-0 in front of their home fans, Arizona needed a big inning against a tough pitching staff to get back in the game. Red Storm starter Kyle Hansen cruised through the first few innings, but Arizona chipped away, cutting it to a three run deficit going into the 6th. With two outs, the Wildcats mounted a rally to tie the game at 5, a score that stood until extra innings. After pushing a run across in the 10th, St. John’s felt confident with Stephen Rivera dominating on the mound. After a leadoff walk and sac bunt, Rivera was removed for Kevin Kilpatrick who proved to be the first of two St. John’s relievers to come on and not record an out. After a couple singles that included the game tying hit, James Lomangino came on to put out the fire but instead served up the game winning single to Trent Gilbert.

On tap today

MiLB.TV schedule

Other four Super Regionals begin

Jamie Moyer returns to minors

Nestor Molina tries to turn around season

Carolina League schedule stocked with doubleheaders

Tyler Matzek hopes to rebound from last start

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