Hitmen streak iced

The Hired Hitmen's streak of 7 wins was snapped yesterday in a 6-3 loss to Blue Ridge. Michael Young and Rickie Weeks each had 2 hits and Gavin Floyd pitched 8 strong innings to lead the Bombers to victory. Hillsborough remains 5 1/2 games up on Carolina for the Morris Division lead.

Amityville continues to baffle Marietta. Yesterday Dallas Braden tossed a 3-hit shutout against the Mighty Men in a 2-0 victory. Braden struck out 5 and walked one in his 2nd win of the year. Meanwhile John Danks was the hard luck loser in the game, spinning 7 innings of 2-run ball and falling to 14-6 on the season. The Ant Slayers scored both runs in the 5th inning that was marred by a wild pitch and a hit batsman. Alex Rodriguez hit a sac fly after Danks' wild pitch allowed the runner to move to third and Jason Kubel singled in the second run.

Vancouver edged Las Vegas in a 2-1 pitchers duel. Ben Sheets and A.J. Burnett both pitched 7 innings of 1-run ball, but neither factored into the decision. It was in the 8th inning when a Joe Nathan pitched got by catcher John Baker, allowing David Ortiz to score from third. The play was ruled a passed ball. Dennys Reyes struck out 2 and retired the side in order in the 9th to pick up his 1st save of the season.

Newark waved a tearful good-bye to longtime Sugar Bear John Smoltz, released after many difficulties pitching in AAA. "We would love Smoltzie to come back and pitch for us" said pitching coach Mike Grace, "but we needed to make a decision that would help us win this year." Smoltz had been with the team since the summer of 2000 since Newark acquired the righthander from Carolina in exchange for outfielder Jim Edmonds. Smoltz had been stellar in both starting and relief roles for the Sugar Bears, including a 22-5 campaign in 2005 and a 45-save effort in 2003.