Bad Back Hampers Ortiz in Triple-A

Ramon Ortiz’s return to triple-A Edmonton hasn’t been therapeutic.

His first start May 13 was called after two innings because of lighting problems at Fresno’s stadium. Ortiz could only have hoped for a power failure Wednesday, when he faced just seven Sacramento batters. Among the lowlights was giving up Paul Sorrento’s first-inning grand slam.

Ortiz left the game with a back strain and may miss his next start.

Journeyman Shawn Boskie wasn’t much better in relief, giving up a two-run homer to Sacramento in the third inning.

Ortiz was 2-2 with a 6.90 earned-run average while with the Angels.

Seth Etherton, meanwhile, got on track last week for Edmonton. He struck out a season-high 12 in the Trappers’ 2-1 victory over Sacramento Monday, yielding a run and six hits over seven innings.

He is 2-1 with a 4.17 ERA in six starts this season.

Erie outfielder Darren Blakely is second in the Eastern League with seven home runs and Lake Elsinore’s Gary Johnson has 10 home runs, tying him for the lead in the Class-A California League.

Ty Boykin has been named manager at Class-A Cedar Rapids, replacing Mitch Seoane, who was fired.