Former Mallard outfielder Ryan Spilborghs (pictured on left) continues to find the ball with his bat in crucial situations, as he started the Colorado Rockies’ five-run comeback against the Giants Friday.
The Rockies were down 3-0 heading into the top of the seventh frame with two outs. With a man on first and second, Spilborghs entered the ballgame to replace starting pitcher Jason Hirsh.
With a 1-2 count, Spilborghs took Matt Cain’s pitch to shallow right field to drive in Brad Hawpe and advance Troy Tulowitzki, who later scored in the inning, to third.
The Rockies tied the game the next inning and added the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth to complete the comeback over San Francisco, 5-3.
Spilborghs increased his batting average to .429 (3-for-7) and RBI total to four in the seven at-bats he’s had this season.
Don’t forget fans, Tuesday, June 19, is Ryan Spilborgh’s Figurine Night along with Quench Gum’s Guaranteed Win Night, as the Mallards face off with the Bombers of Battle Creek.
Meanwhile, outfielder and 2001 Mallard alum Brent Johnson (pictured below) has consistently been playing solid baseball this season in the Seattle Mariners organization for their Double-A affiliate, the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx.
Johnson is riding a four-game hitting streak for the Diamond Jaxx going 5-for-15 (.333) with five runs scored, two doubles, a home run and an RBI through that span, helping the Diamond Jaxx to a 22-26 record, sitting three games back of Huntsville and Tennessee in the North Division of the Southern League.
Johnson went 1-for-3 with two runs scored, an RBI, and blasted his third home run of the season in an 11-3 loss to Huntsville on May 22. In addition, Johnson went 2-for-3 with two doubles and a run scored in a 7-5 victory over Chattanooga on May 24..
In 33 games this season, Johnson is batting .290 with six doubles, three homers, a triple, 12 RBIs and holds a .427 slugging average. The 6-2, 190-pound center fielder was drafted by the Mariners in the 14th round in 2004.
The Mallards season begins in just five days on Thursday, May 31, against the Eau Claire Express at the Duck Pond. All tickets are on sale now. Call 246-4277 or log onto MallardsBaseball.com for more information.
