LOCALS IN THE PROS: Belcher Hits First Pro Homer On Birthday

BY TIM HAYES
Bristol Herald Courier

Tyler Belcher turned 23-years-old on July 22. He celebrated his birthday in style.

The former Virginia High star went 2-for-4 and collected the first home run of his professional career for the Low-Class A Greensboro Grasshoppers in their 7-5 victory over the Charleston RiverDogs five days ago.

Belcher connected for the two-run homer in the third inning, driving a pitch from Charleston starter Lance Pendleton over the fence in right field. Meanwhile, he singled in the ninth inning.

Belcher, who has spent time at first base and catcher, is hitting .239 with one homer and nine RBIs in 33 games this season.

All-Star Season
Chris Mobley pitched a scoreless ninth inning and nailed down his 19th save recently.

That’s becoming a common occurrence for the former Dobyns-Bennett High School standout.

Mobley is 3-2 with 19 saves and a 2.53 ERA in 38 relief outings for the Class AA Carolina Mudcats and has emerged as one of the Southern League’s top closers.

In fact, Mobley took the mound in the Southern League All-Star Game on July 14 in Zebulon, N.C. Mobley entered in the ninth inning and worked around a walk and two hits to preserve the North’s 6-1 win over the South.He got Birmingham’s Miguel Negron to groundout for the final out of the game.

Barker’s Bat
Kevin Barker continues to produce for the Class AAA Louisville Bats.

The Virginia High graduate went 1-for-3 with a run, walk and RBI on Friday during the Bats’ International League contest at Durham.

Barker is hitting .253 with 11 home runs and 54 RBIs in 85 games this season for Louisville, a farm team for the Cincinnati Reds.

Hall Passes Test
Former Daniel Boone High School and East Tennessee State University standout Jeremy Hall turned in a strong performance in a July 22 start for the Columbus (Ga.) Catfish of the Low-Class A South Atlantic League.

The right-handed pitcher allowed two runs on eight hits in six solid innings. He struck out one and did not issue a walk.

Hall is 5-3 with a 4.61 ERA in 14 games (12 starts) for Columbus, a Tampa Bay Rays affiliate. Earlier this season, Hall earned South Atlantic League pitcher of the week honors.

Latest on Lee
Outfielder C.J. Lee (Virginia High) is hitting .241 with one home run and 21 RBIs in 72 games for the Low-Class A Rome Braves of the South Atlantic League.

Lee had an impressive series against Lexington on July 17-19. He combined to go 6-for-11 with a run and RBI in the three-game series.

Allen Update
Former Sullivan Central High School and King College pitcher Eric Allen is 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA in seven relief outings for the Chicago Cubs’ rookie-league affiliate in the Arizona League.

Allen pitched a shutout inning of relief on July 22 against the Arizona League Mariners. He allowed two hits and struck out two, including a strikeout of Robert Rodriguez to end the game.

Allen was briefly a teammate of a major league superstar earlier this week as Alfonso Soriano stopped off in Mesa as part of a rehabilitation assignment.

Allen’s former King College teammate, right-handed pitcher Jace Smith, is 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA in seven relief outings for the Arizona League Royals.

Better With Age
Billy Wagner celebrated his 37th birthday on Friday. Earlier this month, he was the oldest player in uniform for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

However, the former Tazewell High School star continues to get better with age.

Entering Saturday, the New York Mets closer was 0-1 with 26 saves and a 2.09 ERA in 42 outings. In 43 innings, Wagner has allowed just 29 hits, while striking out 48 and walking nine.