Cutters cuttin' it up

The Hoboken Cutters have rocketed up into the sixth overall spot with a four-game winning streak. Jarrod Washburn improved to 12-6 with a win over the struggling Las Vegas Rat Pack yesterday. The Cutters thumped the Rats 12-4, behind Player of the Week Ian Kinsler's 3-4, 3-RBI night. The Cutters had a decent 13 hits in the game, but racked up 12 walks.

Joe Saunders' luck ran out last night, sort of. Saunders only threw eight pitches in the game, but after a lengthy rain delay, Don Mattingly decided it would be best to pull the youngster. And though the Sugar Bear pen was solid, only allowing two runs in the final 8 2/3 innings, it was enough to stick Saunders with the loss. Roy Oswalt, fresh from a recent DL stint, pitched brilliantly for Honolulu, allowing only one unearned run in six innings, while striking out four. The shaky Tom Gordon pitched the final two innings for his 15th save.

David Ortiz's two homers gave Vancouver a much-needed victory over Sardine City yesterday. Ortize drove in six runs while hitting his 29th and 30th homers of the year. Vancouver is now sitting on the outside looking in from seventh place. Greg Maddux pitched a strong game to improve to 8-4 on the season.

A 4-run eighth inning propelled the Buddahs to a 7-3 victory over Marietta yesterday. Austin Kearns and Yuniesky Betancourt both hit homers in the inning. Kearns was 3-3 and Nomar Garciaparra had a 3-run homer in the contest.