Updates from MLB and Triple A for Saturday

So the season is starting to build a bit of momentum now, the wheels are generally turning, and there is starting to be plenty of good and not-so-good performances, as teams and players start to find their footing for the year. Both Ryan Rowland-Smith and Peter Moylan got the day off today, as Seattle and Atlanta both had somewhat comfortable wins (M's beat Angels 8-3 and Braves beat Nationals 10-2; the Nationals 9th loss in a row).

Meanwhile, as the Padres were on the wrong end of a sharp performance from the Dodgers, Justin Huber got some more game time. Huber came into the game in the bottom of the sixth, playing left field. He batted in the top of the 7th, hitting the first pitch he saw; a 91mph fastball from Derek Lowe, to right field for a single. Other than fielding a line drive single, it seems he did not play much part in the field, and he did not get a second at-bat. Huber has had the least opportunities of all the Padres bench players, but he is certainly holding his own. Compare his stats to the other Padres' benchies here.

There was plenty of triple-A action today, with a few Aussies facing off. Here are some updates:

• Rich Thompson showed some better command today, throwing 9 of 11 pitches as strikes, as he got the hold for the Salt Lake Bees in their clash with San Diego affiliate Portland Beavers. This could be promising for Rich, as the Angels bullpen again blew things today
• Trent Oeltjen is probably going to find it tough to break into the Diamondbacks major league squad, as they are on fire at the moment (9-2 record). He went 0-for-2 today, taking his avg to .185, as the Sidewinders lost to the Fresno Grizzlies
• Craig Anderson had a so-so game today as his Norfolk Tides lost to Indianapolis. He was pretty effective over his first 4 innings of work, striking out 4 hitters, and giving up 1 hit and 1 homer, for 1 run. However, in the fifth he gave up another hit and another homer. He finished with figures of 4.1 IP, 4 hits, 3 runs, 1 BB, 5 strikouts.
• It was an OzFest at Lehigh Valley, with Chris Snelling and Travis Blackley facing off against Phil Stockman and the Richmond Braves. Snelling went 1-for-2 and drew two walks (he now has 7 walks in 9 games), Blackley pitched 5 innings, allowing 4 hits, 1 run and 3 walks while striking out 1 (interestingly, he walked one bloke twice - Wes Timmons. This guy is 1-for-16 over 7 games - an average of .063, but has an OBP of .423 - he has 8 walks!) . It was a no-decision for him, and he also had one at bat, where he struck out. Phil Stockman worked effectively over 2 innings to get the save for the Braves. He faced 8 batters, struck out 3, walked 1 and gave up 1 hit.