Serving as the Oakland Athletics’ ‘opener’ on Wednesday, College Park’s own Austin Pruitt was effective in setting the tone at Detroit.
The veteran right-hander Pruitt went three innings – tying a season high – in a 12-3 win at Detroit.
Pruitt, a 2008 graduate of College Park, is in his sixth season in the majors.
The ex-Houston Cougar has struck a balance this season and in his professional career as a reliable arm out of the bullpen and occasional starter.
Pruitt has started three games this season, and on Wednesday, his ERA dropped from 3.25 to 2.93 after blanking the Tigers on 34 pitches.
Pruitt hasn’t allowed an earned run in four straight appearances entering Thursday. His ERA peaked at 3.80 in the middle of June before his current run of seven scoreless innings.
For the season, Pruitt, who was called up from the minors at the beginning of May, has 16 strikeouts to six walks in 30 â…” innings.
Pruitt, a one-time Astro (two appearances in 2021), has started 14 games in his major league career.
College Park retired Pruitt’s No. 1 jersey in 2018. Pruitt was one of the first breakout stars for the school after it opened in 2005.
MORE PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL
Luken Baker (Oak Ridge) was recalled from the minors by the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday. The former War Eagles standout has made six plate appearances (not including Thursday’s late game) with one hit, one run and one walk so far during his second stint in the majors. Overall, Baker is batting .263 for the Cardinals and has yet to drive a run.
It’s been a sluggish first season as a Chicago Cub for Jameson Taillon (The Woodlands). The seventh-year pro is 2-6 with a 6.93 ERA and 1.52 WHIP. The former first rounder (2010) is scheduled to start Friday against his former team, the New York Yankees.
Connor Phillips (Magnolia West) has made two starts since advancing to Triple-A Louisville. The Cincinnati Reds prospect (and former high draft pick by Seattle in 2021) has logged 6 â…” innings in Louisville since his promotion on June 28. Phillips has allowed four earned runs while striking out seven and walking seven. The former Mustang has a 3.54 ERA over 71.1 innings of minor league ball in 2023. He has struck out 118.
PROFESSIONAL GOLF
Jeff Maggert (McCullough High) finished tied for 32nd last week at the U.S. Senior Open Championship. Maggert was 9 over, but finished strong with a 67 Sunday at SentryWorld in Wisconsin. Maggert’s top finish on the PGA Champions Tour this year was 11 under at the Principal Charity Classic in early June.
