Christian Bergman shows off all-star form for Tulsa Drillers
The following are updates on local baseball players at the minor league level.
Christian Bergman (St. Francis High, 2006) Tulsa Drillers pitcher: Bergman was a mid-season all-star for the second time at the minor league level and he showcased just why on Sunday.
Delivering eight innings of one-run ball, Bergman still didn’t factor in the decision, but certainly pitched well, allowing six hits and striking out two batters to no walks.
Likely due to the start and the amount of work on Sunday, Bergman saw no time in Tuesday’s Texas League All-Star Game, in which the South defeated the North, 6-0. Bergman was on the North roster.
Bergman currently owns a 3.02 earned-run average and a 3-6 record with 59 strikeouts to 15 walks.
Last season, Bergman was a California League mid-season and postseason all-star and was also named the California League Pitcher of the Year. He was a postseason all-star in 2011 in the Northwest League, as well.
Tulsa, a double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, is back in action Wednesday in San Antonio for a three-game series. Tulsa took first place in the Texas League North in the first half, going 34-34, and is currently in last place in the four-team division at 2-4 in the second half.
Marco Estrada (Glendale Community College, 2003) Wisconsin Timber Rattlers pitcher: Estrada’s road back from injury and to the Milwaukee Brewers started in dubious fashion.
Pitching for the first time since a June 3rd start with the Brewers in Milwaukee against Oakland, Estrada got the start on Sunday for the Brewers’ class A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers club.
The start didn’t last long, as Estrada went 2 2/3 innings and gave up eight hits, six runs (all earned), including a home run, while walking one and striking out five.
It’s likely Estrada will need some more time before returning to the big club.
He was put on the disabled list on June 4 with a strained left hamstring.
In his time with the Brewers, Estrada tallied a 4-4 record with a 5.32 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 62 strikeouts to 18 walks.
Joe De Pinto (St. Francis High, 2007) Winston-Salem Dash outfielder: De Pinto turned in one of his better games of the season on June 16, going two for five with a pair of doubles, three runs batted in and two runs scored while hitting in the No. 9 hole and playing right field.
A four-day break followed for the Carolina League All-Star Game, though, and since, De Pinto has played just once, as he went 0 for three with a run scored while starting in left field and batting ninth on Sunday in a 9-2 win at Lynchburg. De Pinto didn’t play on Monday at Salem and wasn’t in the lineup headed in Tuesday’s game with Salem, either.
With Winston-Salem, De Pinto has played in 27 games and has a .239 batting average with 22 hits in 92 at-bats along with 11 walks for a .346 on-base percentage. He’s scored 20 runs, driven in seven and has eight doubles and four stolen bases.
The Dash was 3-1 and tied for first place in the second half of Carolina League Southern Division play heading into Tuesday’s game.
Fernando Valenzuela, Jr. (St. Francis High, 2000) Leones de Yucatan designated hitter/first baseman: South of the border, Valenzuela’s average keeps going north.
The former Golden Knight and Glendale Community College player is finding his groove at the plate.
Valenzuela went two for four on Sunday, adding an RBI, as he’s hitting .412 (14 for 34) over his last 10 ballgames with six RBI, three walks, three runs and three doubles.
El Leones notched a 3-2 win on Sunday over Reynosa, with Valenzuela driving in the game-winning run in walk-off fashion in the bottom of the ninth.
The win improved Yucatan to 37-39 heading into a three-game set against Delfines de la Ciudad del Carmen. Yucatan is also in fourth place in the Mexican League’s North Division.
Valenzuela is batting .331 with a team-high 20 doubles to go with 21 walks, 32 RBI, 31 runs and a .381 on-base percentage.