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Texas Rangers lefthanded pitcher Joe Palumbo made his fourth start of the season for the Frisco Roughriders tonight, and the 24 year old had his best start of the year. Going up against Springfield, Palumbo went six innings, giving up a single run on a solo homer to lead off the fifth. Palumbo gave up 3 hits and 3 walks, striking out 5, and lowered his ERA to 3.63. If you are wanting to check him out in person, you will want to go see him pitch for Frisco soon, because I suspect he will be in Nashville sometime after Memorial Day.
Meanwhile, Michael Matuella, who had been on the injured list briefly, returned to action for Down East today. The 2015 third rounder, who has terrific stuff but who has battled injuries and command problems, pitched 1.1 scoreless innings, walking one and striking out one. Reid Anderson got the start for Down East and threw 6 shutout innings, with 4 walks and 2 Ks. He’s lowered his ERA to 0.44 in 20.2 IP.
Meanwhile, the story in Hickory was the bats. Jonathan Ornelas continued his hot start, going to 4 for 5 with a double, and Sherten Apostel, who has been off to a slow start, had 3 hits. Sam Huff, meanwhile, homered yet again — his minor league leading 10th bomb on the year.