Metro Sports Report

Former Metro preps in pro baseball

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Boston Red Sox) -- Was placed on the disabled list July 31 after undergoing surgery for a broken knuckle on his left pinky finger. He is expected to be out until late September. Year to date -- BA - .260, AB - 204, R - 22, H - 53, RBI - 16, 2B - 19, 3B - 2, HR - 0, SB - 0.

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers), Midwest League) -- Started at designated hitter Monday and went 1-for-3 with a run scored in the Loons' 5-2 loss at West Michigan. Year to date -- BA - .266, AB - 473, R - 65, H - 126, RBI - 64, 2B - 31, 3B - 8, HR - 6, SB - 16.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays), Northwest League) -- Started at third base Monday and went 2-for-4 with a stolen base in Vancouver's 4-1 win at Salem-Keizer. In his last 30 games Kellen is 31-for-109 and has jumped his average from .163 to .227. Vancouver totals -- BA - .227, AB - 207, R - 28, H - 47, RBI - 28, 2B - 13, 3B - 2, HR - 5, SB - 4.

A fun evening at the ballpark

The kudos today go to the Metro Sports Report on its promotion Tuesday night of the Japan-Metro All-Star Classic, a nine-inning game on a beautiful evening.

Kennedy's diamond was in excellent shape and an international exchange of baseball took place between the Metro area stars and the touring Japanese club.

I stopped by to take in a few innings and found an interested crowd on hand. This Japan/Metro exchange now has been continued and an Iowa team will visit Japan next year and play exhibition games in that country.

The Metro stars hit home runs, played big ball and scored 10 times. The high school guys from Japan played small ball and big ball and scored six times, with a couple of home runs.

Former Metro preps in pro baseball

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Boston Red Sox) -- Was placed on the disabled list July 31 after undergoing surgery for a broken knuckle on his left pinky finger. He is expected to be out until late September. Year to date -- BA - .260, AB - 204, R - 22, H - 53, RBI - 16, 2B - 19, 3B - 2, HR - 0, SB - 0.

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers), Midwest League) -- Started at designated hitter Sunday and went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored in the Loons' 13-4 win at West Michigan. Year to date -- BA - .266, AB - 470, R - 64, H - 125, RBI - 64, 2B - 31, 3B - 8, HR - 6, SB - 16.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays), Northwest League) -- Started at third base Sunday and went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and stolen base in Vancouver's 3-0 win at Salem-Keizer. Vancouver totals -- BA - .222, AB - 203, R - 28, H - 45, RBI - 28, 2B - 13, 3B - 2, HR - 5, SB - 3.

Lombardi eyes another winner at Wash

The Washington Warriors sent 10 of their best football players to college programs this year and their new starting quarterback has not played the position since he was a freshman in 2009, so why is Coach Tony Lombardi smiling?

"I believe in my kids, I believe in my staff," Lombardi said Friday after the Warriors held an intrasquad scrimmage at Kingston Stadium. "I think we can have a winning season, I think we can have a little bit of a run in the playoffs.

"That would be a great goal for this group of kids, because we're very young."