Bus Leagues Express: July 22

Top stories

Cosart pitches career outing: While it appears the gaudy strikeout numbers may be in the past, Jarred Cosart has still had some very effective outings this season with Corpus Christi, and Saturday’s start may be the best of his career. Houston’s top pitching prospect threw 7.2 scoreless innings in Corpus Christi’s 3-0 win over Frisco, a team that has Engel Beltre, Jurickson Profar and Mike Olt at the top of their lineup. He only struck out four batters, but he also limited the RoughRidgers to three hits and three walks. It’s only the second time in Cosart’s career that he’s pitched into the 8th inning. July may be his best month to date; in 18 innings, he has a 3.00 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 14 strikeouts.

Werth reaches base twice in first rehab appearance: For the first time in two and a half months, Jayson Werth took the field in an official game. His rehab appearance was delayed a day because of a wet field, but he made the most of his first game, singling, walking, scoring a run and driving in one more. Although his surgically repaired wrist was feeling a little stiff, his recovery is on track, and Washington hopes he can be back in the majors soon. This is the second major left wrist injury Werth has suffered in his career, and the Nationals can’t afford any more complications with the money they have invested in him. In Potomac’s 9-0 win, Nathan Karns and two P-Nats relievers came two outs within a no-hitter.

Anderson takes step toward return to Oakland: For the first time in 13 months, Brett Anderson took the mound in an official game. Starting for the Stockton Ports, Anderson allowed two runs on four hits in two innings with no strikeouts or walks in Stockton’s 8-3 loss to High Desert. Although the stats aren’t impressive or really even good, the fact that he’s pitching is surely a welcome sign to the A’s. He’s recovering from Tommy John surgery after elbow problems plagued him for two seasons. Ports broadcaster Zack Bayrouty indicated in a tweet that even though the line score didn’t reflect it, Anderson’s stuff looked sharp. The A’s would love to get him back for the final month and a half of the season as long as they remain in the playoff race.

Everett clinches playoff berth: Like Yakima reaching the playoffs, I’m a day late acknowledging Everett’s first half championship. Friday, their 2-1 win over Yakima clinched the Northwest League’s West division first half championship. Dylan Unsworth, the South African native, made another very good start, striking out five while allowing one run in a season high seven innings. Unsworth has allowed three or fewer unearned runs in every start this year. Former Virginia infielder Chris Taylor has led the league’s best offense, and the addition of Mike Zunino last week has been another major shot in the arm. The highly touted Victor Sanchez has been solid in the AquaSox rotation.

Plenty of soup for Orem: Orem threw their hat in the ring for the best promotion of the year with Saturday’s “No Soup For You” night. The first 1,000 fans received an Orem soup ladle, and of course they couldn’t have a promotion with that name without a guest appearance by Larry Thomas, the man who made a guest appearance in Seinfeld as Yev Kasem, more widely known as the Soup Nazi. Even though the episode first originally aired nearly 17 years ago, the character has remained relevant in pop culture and has made several guest appearances on other shows with the character. As for the game, the Owlz scored six unanswered runs in the last three innings for a 7-3 win.

Zimmer earns weather shortened shutout: It was only five innings likely due to a haboob in the area, but it still counts as a complete game shutout for Kyle Zimmer. He struck out five and only allowed two hits in his five innings of work in the Arizona Royals’ 5-0 win over the Arizona Padres. The 5th overall pick is way too good for a complex league, and he should move up a level or two fairly quickly. In three outings totaling 10 innings so far, Zimmer has allowed one run on five hits with 13 strikeouts. Although the West Coast Conference isn’t top tier in college baseball, he still has enough experience against top competition that he could probably finish the season with Kane County if the Royals want to get aggressive.

On tap today

MiLB.TV schedule

Nearly every AAA team irritates me by not having a starting pitcher listed

Trevor May looks to rebound after worst start of the season

Zach Lee goes for first AA win

Lowell, Anderson meet in top SAL matchup

C.J. Edwards hopes to continue fantastic start to pro debut