Is Vince Belnome Back?

Wrap, Box, Herald-Sun

Could not get to the game. One of the rare instances this year when the bullpen really let it get away from them.

Season: 26-19; Home Stand: 4-2

Wrap, Box, Herald-Sun

Although Mike Montgomery did not look all that strong from the stands last night, he nevertheless was never in serious trouble. He was helped a lot by the 3 double plays behind him, but he reached 98 pitches by 6⅓ innings as he got the win (and was named IL Pitcher of the Week) so congrats to him.

The guy I noticed, however, was Vince Belnome. Is he coming out of it at last? Sure looks like it. A home run last night and his slash line (Average/OBP/Slugging) for the last 10 games is a very nice .394/.512/.576. Meanwhile, Wilson Betemit hit another of his very pretty line drives into the right field stands and Mike Mahtook got his first Triple A home run to finish off the Bats.

This was new guy Jayson Nix’s second game, this time playing 3B. Nix came to the Bulls from the Phillies, where he had very limited playing time this year, only in 18 games. He will be an asset to the Bulls, but things are going to get crowded down there on the infield when Cole Figueroa gets back and Tim Beckham gets off the disabled list. Of course, just having this kind of talent: Price, Olmedo, Lee, Fontenot, Figueroa, Nix and Beckham is a pleasant challenge for the management, even if it’s tough on fans who want to see a particular player get his chance to do well.

Speaking of doing well, Hak-Ju Lee made a very, very smooth play running hard to his right in the 5th inning last night. If he could just get his batting eye back.

Outside the game —

• Kevin Kiermaier got his first big league home run out in California last night. And he did his thing in the outfield as well. Check out the the clip of his up-against-the-wall catch and video here and here.
• Cole Figueroa is getting some playing time in, but is still after his first hit.
• In these last two games we’ve had a chance to see former Bull Jason Bourgeois. He was an essential part of last year’s championship team. Hope he gets a chance to go up to the Reds this year.
• More on the Craig Albernaz ring presentation here.
• If you get to the game you will find a well-done profile of reliever Kirby Yates in the program. Worth a look.