Local News

Sweeney helps Cubs top Cards

Ryan Sweeney went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs Friday as the Chicago Cubs trimmed St. Louis, 7-6, at Wrigley Field.

Sweeney, from Cedar Rapids, belted a three-run homer to center field in the second inning against St. Louis starter Joe Kelly. He also collected an RBI single to left field in the third inning against Kelly.

Sweeney grounded out to the second baseman in his last two at-bats.

Sweeney, 29, is hitting .221 this season with two home runs and 15 RBIs in 52 games.

Metro Players in Pro Baseball

The Metro Sports Report provides a daily update on Metro graduates who are playing pro baseball. Here is the report through July 24:

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier), Chicago Cubs, OF: Sweeney went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts Thursday. He is hitting .214 (31-for-145) with one home run and 11 RBIs.

SCOTT SCHEBLER (CR Prairie), Chattanooga, OF, Double-A, Southern League (Dodgers): Schebler went 1-for-4 Thursday with an RBI. He is hitting .264 (95-for-360) with 18 homers and 52 RBIs.

KELLEN SWEENEY (CR Jefferson), Dunedin, IF, Advanced A, Florida State League (Blue Jays): Sweeney has been released by the Toronto Blue Jays organization. He was hitting .222 (8 for 36) with four doubles and an RBI.

CHAD CHRISTENSEN (CR Washington), Kernels, OF/IF, Class A, Midwest League (Twins): Christensen went 1-for-4 Thursday with a double and run scored. He is hitting .289 (103-for-357) with 7 home runs and 55 RBIs.

JON KELLER (Xavier), Frederick, P, Class A, Carolina League (Orioles): Keller (0-0, 3.86) did not pitch Thursday.

MITCH KELLER (Xavier), Bradenton, P, Rookie, Gulf Coast League (Pirates): Keller (0-0, 2.25) did not pitch Thursday.

ANDREW HANSE (Linn-Mar), Bowling Green, P, Class A, Midwest League (Tampa Bay): Hanse (0-3, 6.07) did not pitch Thursday.

Metro Players in Pro Baseball

The Metro Sports Report provides a daily update on Metro graduates who are playing pro baseball. Here is the report through July 18:

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier), Chicago Cubs, OF Sweeney went 1-for-4 Friday with an RBI. He is hitting .219 (30-for-134) with one home run and 11 RBIs.

SCOTT SCHEBLER (CR Prairie), Chattanooga, OF, Double-A, Southern League (Dodgers) Schebler did not play Friday. He is hitting .267 (91-for-341) with 17 homers and 50 RBIs.

KELLEN SWEENEY (CR Jefferson), Dunedin, IF, Advanced A, Florida State League (Blue Jays) Sweeney has been released by the Toronto Blue Jays organization. He was hitting .222 (8 for 36) with four doubles and an RBI.

CHAD CHRISTENSEN (CR Washington), Kernels, OF/IF, Class A, Midwest League (Twins) Christensen went 4-for-5 Friday with a double. He is hitting .292 (98-for-336) with 7 home runs, 54 RBIs and 22 stolen bases.

JON KELLER (Xavier), Frederick, P, Class A, Carolina League (Orioles) Keller (0-0, 0.00) did not pitch Friday. He was promoted to Frederick in the High-A Carolina League Thursday night. Keller went 3-0 with a 1.59 ERA and 5 saves at Delmarva in the Low-A South Atlantic League. He struck out 66 batters in 56.2 innings and allowed only 39 hits and 11 runs (10 earned). \

MITCH KELLER (Xavier), Bradenton, P, Rookie, Gulf Coast League (Pirates) Keller (0-0, 2.25) pitched 3 innings Friday. He gave up 2 runs on 4 hits. Keller has pitched 8 innings in 3 games with 8 hits, 6 strikeouts, 2 walks and 2 runs.

ANDREW HANSE (Linn-Mar), Bowling Green, P, Class A, Midwest League (Tampa Bay). Hanse (0-3, 6.15) pitched a scoreless inning Friday with one strikeout and no hits.

DAKOTA FREESE (Washington), Athletics, P, Rookie Arizona League (Oakland) Freese has been placed on the 60-day Disabled List and probably will notpitch again until the fall.

Jon Keller promoted to High-A Frederick

The Baltimore Orioles have promoted right-handed pitcher Jon Keller to the Frederick Keys in the High-A Carolina League.

Keller, from Cedar Rapids, got the good news Thursday night after pitching 2.2 scoreless innings for Delmarva in the Low-A South Atlantic League.

Keller, 21, was named Baltimore's Minor League Pitcher of the Month for June.

Keller compiled a 3-0 record and 1.59 ERA with five saves for Delmarva. He pitched 56.2 innings in 24 games, with 66 strikeouts and only 14 walks. He allowed 39 hits and 11 runs (10 earned). Opponents hit only .192 against him.

Baltimore selected Keller in the 23rd round of the 2013 draft from the University of Tampa.