Metro Sports Report

Local players in pro baseball

Thu - 29 Aug Written by Metro Sports Report

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Chicago Cubs) - Started in right field Thursday and was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in a rehab assignment for the AZL Cubs. It was his fourth game with the AZL Cubs and he is batting .286. Placed on disabled list June 30 with fractured rib. Expected to return Sept. 1. Season stats: G - 44, Avg. - .295, AB - 112, H - 33, HR - 4, RBI - 15, SB - 1.

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers)) - Started in right field Thursday and was 0-for-3 with a run scored in the Quakes' 14-3 loss to High Desert. Season stats: G - 121, Avg. - .301, AB - 465, H - 140, HR - 27, RBI - 91, SB - 15.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Lansing (Blue Jays)) - Started at third base Thursday and was 0-for-3 in the Lugnuts' 6-2 loss to Lake County. Season stats: G - 105, Avg. - .183, AB - 339, H - 62, HR - 5, RBI - 30, SB - 1.

ANDREW HANSE (Linn-Mar, Bowling Green (Rays)) - Did not pitch Thursday in the Hot Rods' 5-2 win over South Bend. Season stats: W - 1. L - 0. Sv - 2. ERA - 0.57. G - 9. IP - 15.2. H - 13. BB - 2. SO - 20.

CHAD CHRISTENSEN (Washington, GCL Twins (Twins)) - Started at third base Thursday and was 0-for-3 with a run scored in the Twins' 5-2 win over the GCL Orioles. Season stats: G - 47, Avg. - .235, AB - 162, H - 38, HR - 3, RBI - 21, SB - 4.

JON KELLER (Xavier, GCL Orioles (Orioles)) - Did not pitch Thursday in the Orioles' 5-2 loss to the GCL Twins. Season stats: W - 1. L - 2. Sv - 0. ERA - 4.11. G - 6. IP - 15.1. H - 17. BB - 2. SO - 18.

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Former Twins pitcher Scott Baker made a rehab start for the Kane County Cougars Wednesday and pitched five innings of one-hit ball in a 9-1 win over the Kernels at Veterans Memorial Stadium. (Photo by Ken Gilchrist)

Baker takes step toward Chicago Cubs

Wed - 28 Aug Written by Jim Ecker

The Chicago Cubs are paying Scott Baker a cool $5.5 million this year, but so far all he's done is pitch in the minor leagues on rehabilitation assignments.

That could change soon.

Baker took a big step toward Chicago Wednesday night when he tossed five sharp innings for Kane County in a 9-1 victory over Cedar Rapids before 1,711 fans in a Midwest League game at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Baker, 31, allowed only one hit (a scratch infield single), struck out two batters and did not walk anyone. It was much better than his four previous rehab starts for the Cougars and an encouraging sign for the veteran right-hander.

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Coach Mark Carlson diagrams some strategy during the RoughRiders' first workout Wednesday at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena. (Photo by Ken Gilchrist)

Widman returns to Riders from Brown

Wed - 28 Aug Written by Jim Ecker

All of the players on the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders are looking forward to playing hockey in college some day. Nate Widman has been there and come back after a bit of bad luck.

Widman, 20, played three games at Brown University last year before tearing the ACL in his right knee in early November. There also was a change in his financial aid package at the Ivy League school, so he left college and is looking forward to starting the process all over again with a fresh start.

Widman joined 25 other players Wednesday as the RoughRiders began preseason practice at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena. Two players on the 28-man preseason roster did not skate due to minor injuries, but Coach Mark Carlson put everyone else through a rigorous two-hour workout at The Stable.

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Football prevues - Aug. 29

Wed - 28 Aug Written by Metro Sports Report

The temperature is in the mid 90s.

The sun has baked the earth into cement.

It is the last week of August.

It's time to kick off another prep football season.

All eight Metro teams will play their openers, starting Thursday night when Prairie meets Jefferson at Kingston Stadium.

Optimism is high in all eight camps.

Xavier lost to Ankeny in the Class 4A championship game last year, but the Saints are ranked No.1 by the Des Moines Register heading into this season.

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Boyd dealt with weighty issues to succeed

Wed - 28 Aug Written by S.D. Buhr

One of the unique things about Class A minor league baseball is the season is divided into two halves.

The format allows teams, such as the Kernels, that have strong first halves of the season to qualify for postseason play at the mid-point of the campaign. It also gives teams that struggle early a chance to start over with a clean slate for the second half.

The format benefits teams that experience significant roster turnover that’s common among Class A affiliated clubs.

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