Australia's 27th major league player TRENT OELTJEN pinch hit for the Los Angeles Dodgers yesterday with 0-1 (.200) during their oh-so narrow 6-7 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Trent was called in to hit for the pitcher with one on and two out in the top of the ninth in what was, remarkably, a 1-1 ballgame at the time. After battling six pitches for a full count Oeltjen was ultimately called out on strikes by Arizona closer J.J Putz to end the inning. In a stunning finish the Dodgers went on to score five runs in the top of the tenth but they were overrun in the home half of the tenth when the 'Snakes' scored six! To emphasise the unpredictability of baseball the Dodgers had tucked away the first two outs in tenth before an innocent looking infield single ignited an unlikely rally that ended with a walkoff GRAND SLAM home run by Ryan Roberts. Underrated former ABL import GEOFF BLUM (Hunter Eagles 1995) batted 1-2 (.224) as the starting third baseman for the Diamondbacks.

At least Australia's LUKE HUGHES can say that he produced one of the Minnesota Twins six hits for the game during their 3-7 defeat at the hands and the bats of the visiting Kansas City Royals yesterday.
Hughes batted 1-4 (.225) as the starting second baseman and #8 hole hitter for the 'Twin Cities'.
His base knock came from his first plate appearance of the game when he clipped a leadoff single into shallow left field to lead off the bottom of the third against Royals' starter Felipe Paulino. Next he was up with two runners on and two out in the fourth but this time Paulino had him struck out swinging to end the inning. With Paulino still on the bump in the sixth Luke was again the third out in a 1-2-3 frame when he flied out to left field. To finish his day Hughes was the second out in the bottom of the last when reliever Aaron Crow had him called out on strikes after the minimum three pitches.

Once again Aussie outfielder TRENT OELTJEN was afforded just a cameo role as a defensive replacement at left field for the Los Angeles Dodgers late in their 4-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks yesterday. Trent took over at left field to begin the bottom of the eighth and he eventually ended a long inning in the field with the inning ending catch. It was to be his only part of the action as he didn't get to swing the timber on this occasion.
In this game journey man infielder GEOFF BLUM (Hunter Eagles 1995) pinch it for the 'D-Backs' with 0-0 (.213) yet his bases loaded, four pitch walk produced a run batted in as a handy contribution.

Australian RICH THOMPSON pitched 1.0ip 1h 0er 1bb 1k (3.00ERA) to close out a 3-4 loss for his Los Angeles Angels against the visiting Texas Rangers yesterday. Thompson kept his team squarely in the contest with a scoreless top of the ninth which started with Nelson Cruz flying out to right field ahead of a David Murphy infield single to the short stop. He grabbed the second out with Yorvit Torrealba called out on strikes but, when Murphy stole second base during the following at bat, he chose to "pitch around" Ian Kinsler who walked to fill the open base at first. The strategy proved sound when Richard got Elvis Andrus to ground into a fielder's choice to the short stop to end the inning. Unfortunately for him and the 'Halos' one run in the bottom of the ninth was just one too few. His team mate VERNON WELLS (Sydney Storm 1999) couldn't provide any offensive help with 0-4 (.218) for the game.

To start with some really deflating news, we hear that Australia's "hard luck hero" PETER MOYLAN is again facing the crossroads of his career following the latest diagnosis of a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder... perhaps better known as the AC joint in Australian language. If, as it seems, he requires surgery it will almost certainly spell the end of his 2012 season before it even started. Not to mention that it will rule out any chance of him playing for the Melbourne Aces in the upcoming ABL season.
Although we have no doubt that Pete will do everything possible to return once again, age and his injury history are making this an even tougher proposition.
Moylan appears to have paid a heavy price for pitching so gallantly and so often for the Atlanta Braves in recent campaigns. 'Flintoff & Dunn' can only wish him our very best!

Australia's LIAM HENDRIKS took another no-decision today with a sturdy 6.0ip 7h 4er 3bb 5k (6.17ERA) but this time he put his Minnesota Twins on the path to a hard earned 6-4 win over the Cleveland Indians. Liam went toe-to-toe with 'Tribe' starter Fausto Carmona and the score was locked at 4-4 when both departed. Once again Hendriks had to stabilise after a rough first inning which finally saw Lonnie Chisenhall slap a two RBI single into right centre and his pitch count was already dangerously high. In the bottom of the second he used an inning ending ground ball double play to overcome a one out single to Kosuke Fukudome. Hendriks was again on the ropes in the third when a leadoff walk to Travis Hafner was deposited for a two run homer by next batter Shelley Duncan before he tidied up the rest of the inning. Similar to his other big league starts Liam settled into the game to post 1-2-3 innings in both the fourth and the fifth innings, including three strike outs. He also finished strong again with another inning ending double play keeping a clean sixth after Jason Donald had hit a one out single. His 101 pitch effort was the cornerstone of a welcome win for the Twins.

Australians TRENT OELTJEN and JOSH SPENCE were in opposing camps today as Oeltjen's Los Angeles Dodgers beat Spence's San Diego Padres 6-2. Trent batted 0-1 (.213) after coming into the game to take over at left field while Josh pitched 0.2ip 0h 0er 0bb 0k (2.73ERA) in relief for the Padres.
Oeltjen came into the game for the bottom of the seventh as a defensive replacement at left and his only plate appearance saw him struck out swinging by Andrew Carpenter for the third out in the top of the ninth.
Josh Spence took the ball for the top of the eighth and he did what was asked of him by getting Aaron Miles to ground out to the second baseman and James Loney to line out to the first baseman.
Yesterday OELTJEN also pinch hit with 0-1 in a game where his Dodgers were shut out 0-3 by the Padres. In this game he was asked to lead off the top of the eighth as a pinch hitter but he was struck out swinging after five pitchers from Aaron Harang.
On Saturday OELTJEN got a start at left field and he batted in the #5 hole in the Dodgers 2-0 win over San Diego. His first at bat in the top of the second produced a well executed sacrifice bunt off Wade LeBlanc that advanced his team mate who later scored the opening run of the game. Leading off the top of the fifth LeBlanc had him called out on strikes with just three pitches. He suffered the same fate in the seventh when LeBlanc had him called out on strikes for the second out of the frame. It left him with 0-2 for the day but, as mentioned, he did make an offensive contribution when it counted early in the game.

Power hitter VERNON WELLS (Sydney Storm 1999) cracked his 25th home run of the season to highlight his 1-4 (.220) game for the Los Angeles Angels who were edged 5-6 by the Oakland Athletics today.

Although he also received a pile of run support, former ABL import KEVIN MILLWOOD (Melbourne Monarchs 1997) was very tough today with a high quality start of 7.0ip 3h 1er 1bb 6k for the Colorado Rockies who pounded the Houston Astros 19-3. It boosted his season record to 4-3, 3.98ERA.

Journeyman utility player GEOFF BLUM (Hunter Eagles 1995) batted 1-4 (.213) with a RBI for the Arizona Diamondbacks who beat the San Francisco Giants 5-2 today. Yesterday Blum batted 1-1 with a walk and a RBI as the 'Snakes' eliminated the World Champion Giants in a 15-2 "laugher".

DAVID ROSS (MLB All-Stars 2001) batted a solid 2-3 (.263) for the slumping Atlanta Braves who fell again 0-3 to the Washington Nationals.

... and from other weekend games:

Australia's LUKE HUGHES batted 0-4 as the starting second baseman and #7 batter for the Minnesota Twins in their 2-8 defeat at the hands of the Cleveland Indians. Facing Cleveland starter David Huff in the top of the second Hughes made the second out with a fly ball to the left fielder. He was at the plate again in the fourth when a wild pitch from Huff allowed a run to score but he could do no further damage when he grounded out to the third baseman. Luke was then the last batter to face Huff in the game when he was again the second out in the top of the sixth after lining out to the left fielder. Lastly, he was the third out in the eighth with a ground out to the short stop while facing Frank Herrmann.
In the late game of the double header HUGHES came into the game as a pinch hitter with 0-1 (.224) and he took over at second base as his Twins were squeaked again 6-7 by the Indians. Hughes came into the game as a pinch hitter in the top of the eighth and he battled hard for a full count before Tony Sipp had him struck out swinging for the third out of the frame.
The day prior LUKE HUGHES made a decent offensive contribution with 1-3 (.228) plus a walk as the starting third baseman and No.5 hitter for the Twins in another narrow 5-6 loss to Cleveland. Batting in the top of the first, Hughes was "plunked" by the first pitch he faced from Justin Masterson with one out. Up again in the third Masterson had him struck out swinging for the first out of the inning. In the top of the fifth Hughes milked a four pitch leadoff walk from Masterson to set the table but he was ultimately thrown out at home plate as the rally stalled. Luke next ripped a leadoff double from Rafael Perez to lead off the seventh and this time it bore fruit when he later scored the tying run at 5-5. Unfortunately the day didn't end in ideal fashion when Chris Perez had him pop out to the short stop as the leadoff batter in the top of the ninth as the Twins could not find a go-ahead run.

Aussie relievers GRANT BALFOUR and RICH THOMPSON were in opposing bullpens when Balfour reaped his 26th hold of the season as his Oakland Athletics held off Thompson's Los Angeles Angels 3-1.
Balfour pitched 0.2ip 0h 0er 1bb 0k (2.47) after coming into a tricky situation with two on and one out in the bottom of the eighth. He quickly secured the second out with Maicer Izturis grounding out to the second baseman but the bags were "juiced' when he issued a four pitch walk to Peter Bourjos. Balfour was able to preserve the tenuous one run lead by getting Howie Kendrick to foul out to right field.
Thompson came into the game in the top of the ninth immediately after a David Dejesus home run had stretched Oakland's lead to 3-1. Richard kept it that way by getting Cliff Pennington to fly out to centre field and Brandon Allen to fly out to right.
The previous day BALFOUR responded to a frustrating loss by grasping his fifth win of the season with 1.0ip 0h 0er 0bb 0k as his A's hung on to beat the Texas Rangers 4-3. Grant took care of the vital top of the eighth with Michael Young Flying out to right field, Adrian Beltre grounding out to short and David Murphy flying out to left.
In the televised game last Thursday BALFOUR was saddled with his second loss when the Rangers overturned a one run deficit as Grant served up long balls to Ian Kinsler and Josh Hamilton in the top of the eighth. Baseball is certainly a game of ups and downs!

Australia's 31st and latest major leaguer LIAM HENDRIKS made his third big league start yesterday and, although he was hit fairly hard at times, he once again stood up well as a 22yo rookie facing big league batters. His line of 5.1ip 10h 4er 0bb 5k (6.23ERA) saw him take a no-decision for the Minnesota Twins in what was to be a 4-5 loss to the Seattle Mariners. The last batter he faced snatched a possible win from his grasp with a game tying two run homer just as Hendriks' pitch count was hitting the mid nineties.

In the same game his WA comrade LUKE HUGHES batted 0-4 (.227) as the starting second baseman and #6 batter. It looked like it may have been a really dirty day for Hendriks when his first three pitches saw a leadoff triple from Ichiro Suzuki and a RBI double from Kyle Seager in the top of the first. He got Dustin Ackley to fly out to centre field but Mike Carp lashed another RBI double to deep centre to have Liam well and truly pinned to the ropes. In the circumstances he did quite well to keep the damage to just two runs when he got Wily Mo Pena to ground out to third and Adam Kennedy was called out on strikes. After the Twins tied the game in the bottom of the first Liam kept it that way in the second with Miguel Olivo grounding out to second, Alex Liddi struck out swinging and Trayvon Robinson also fanned.

In the third frame he got Ichiro to ground out to second and Seager to fly out to left, but back to back singles to Ackley and Carp posed a threat until Pena flied out to right to end the inning. In the top of the fourth Hendriks had Kennedy fly out to centre field ahead of Olivo's double to deep centre that placed him in scoring position. Again he kept the score even at 2-2 with Liddi popping out to second and Robinson struck out swinging to end the inning. Minnesota put Liam in line for the win in the bottom of the fourth and he responded by getting both Ichiro and Seager to ground out to the first baseman for a pair of outs. The lead suddenly became tenuous when Ackley singled up the middle and Carp doubled into centre field, but the young Aussie again held firm by striking out Pena on a full count.

A 4-2 lead seemed promising when Hendriks took the mound again in the sixth but with his pitch count rising he just couldn't quite clinch the deal. He got Kennedy to fly out to right for the first out but, after Olivo doubled to left, a hanging slider to Liddi saw him crush the game tying homer over left field. It was an unfortunate end to what had been another quality start for Liam Hendriks.

Luke Hughes made the third out in the bottom of the first when he struck out swinging with a runner in scoring position while facing Mariners' starter Jason Vargas. He again made the third out in the third inning when Vargas had him pop out to the third baseman. In the bottom of the fifth Hughes left a runner perched on third when Vargas again popped him up, this time to the second baseman. Finally, as the leadoff batter in the bottom of the eighth, he was struck out swinging by reliever Tom Wilhelmsen. Sadly for both Aussies they could not prevent the Twins from falling again in a disappointing loss.

Australia's RICH THOMPSON pitched a moderate 1.0ip 1h 1er 1bb 1k (3.10ERA) in a low-pressure situation for the Los Angeles Angels who were already in control of a 10-6 win over Toronto Blue Jays. In fairness to him Rich inherited two base runners at the corners with nobody out in the bottom of the seventh when he relieved 'Halos' starter Joel Pineiro with his team leading 10-2. He first pitched carefully to home run leader Jose Bautista before loading the bags with a full count walk. His next pitch saw Edwin Encarnacion lift a sacrifice fly to left field and another run followed when Kelly Johnson singled into right field. The second out of the inning came at the expense of another run when Brett Lawrie grounded into a fielder's choice to the third baseman. Further damage was avoided when Colby Rasmus struck out swinging on three pitches.
In the same game Thompson's team mate VERNON WELLS (Sydney Storm 1999) blasted his 23rd home run of the season as part of his 2-5 (.225) plus the two RBIs.

Aussie TRENT OELTJEN did not get to bat when he came into yesterday's game as a defensive replacement at left field for the Los Angeles Dodgers during their 2-1 win over the San Francisco Giants

Australia's LUKE HUGHES batted 1-4 (.230) with a RBI as the starting third baseman and #7 batter for the Minnesota Twins in their 4-6 loss to the New York Yankees at New Yankee Stadium today. His hit came early from his first plate appearance in the top of the second when he reached on an infield single with two out from the second pitch he saw from A.J Burnett... he then stole second base where he remained when the inning ended. In the top of the fourth he battled Burnett to a full count before flying out to left field for the first out of the inning with two team mates aboard. Hughes next came to the plate with bases loaded and nobody out in the fifth not long after Burnett had been replaced by Cory Wade and he managed to deliver a RBI with his infield ground out to the short stop. In the seventh inning he was to be the third out when Rafael Soriano had him struck out swinging.

LUKE HUGHES also had a productive game yesterday after again starting at third base and batting at No.5 for the Twins in their tight 5-6 defeat by the Cleveland Indians. His day started well with a single up the middle to lead off the bottom of the second against tough Cleveland starter Justin Masterson. He was aboard again as the leadoff hitter in the fourth when his infield hit was fielded by pitcher Masterson who could not complete the out. Up again in the sixth Masterson got Luke to ground into a fielder's choice to the third baseman but he was able to advance to second base via a throwing error on the same play. In this inning he reached third base on a passed ball and subsequently scored his second run of the game. Hughes failed to convert a RBI opportunity in the eighth with a runner on second base and none out when he was struck out swinging by Tony Sipp. He got a fifth at bat in the bottom of the ninth when Chris Perez had him ground into a fielder's choice to the short stop for the second out of the inning. Luke's 2-5 game saw him cross the plate for three of Minnesota's five runs.

Experienced Aussie relief ace PETER MOYLAN pitched a cameo 0.1ip 0h 0er 0bb 0k (3.24ERA) today but he was unable to help his Atlanta Braves who were beaten late 5-6 by the Florida Marlins. Our Pete was asked to get the third out in the bottom of the sixth with a runner threatening in scoring position on second base. With three successive strikes Pete obliged by getting Matt Dominguez to ground out to the short stop. That was his job done for the day.

Former ABL import KEVIN MILLWOOD (Melbourne Monarchs 1997) had a torrid time pitching today after some recent strong performances with a hard-hit 3.1ip 9h 6er 1bb 2k as the starter for the Colorado Rockies in their 2-8 defeat by the San Diego Padres. The loss saw Millwood's improving season record slide to 3-3, 4.56ERA.

Aussie right hander RICH THOMPSON closed the final inning for the Los Angeles Angels to conclude their 11-2 blowout win over the Baltimore Orioles yesterday with a tidy 1.0ip 0h 0er 0bb 1k (2.98ERA). Thompson required only eleven pitches to get Josh Bell struck out looking, Ryan Adams to ground out to the short stop and Nolan Reimold to ground out to the third baseman. Three up and three down!

Australia's lefty reliever JOSH SPENCE didn't enjoy his brief 0.0ip 0h 1er 1bb 0k (2.79ERA) outing for the San Diego Padres during their 1-5 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks yesterday. Spence came into the game to commence the top of the seventh but he could only manage to walk leadoff hitter Gerardo Parra on a full count before he was relieved. Parra later scored in the inning to saddle Josh with the unwanted earned run against his account.

Aussie outfielder TRENT OELTJEN took over at centre field to hit 0-2 (.219) for the Los Angeles Dodgers during their 15-1 hammering of the Pittsburgh Pirates yesterday. Trent came into the game as a defensive replacement at centre field before the top of the sixth inning and he got to face 'Buccos' pitcher Daniel McCutchen with two on and nobody out in the home half of the inning. He grounded out to the first baseman while allowing the runners to advance. Oeltjen's next opportunity came in the bottom of the seventh when Tony Watson had him called out on strikes with two aboard for the second out.

Aussie fireman GRANT BALFOUR took hold No.25 yesterday with a conclusive 1.0ip 0h 0er 0bb 1k (2.28ERA) for the Oakland Athletics who upended the division clinching Detroit Tigers 5-3. Grant nailed down the top of the eighth inning with Magglio Ordonez grounding out to the short stop, Ryan Raburn struck out swinging and Miguel Cabrera grounding out to the second baseman.

In his previous outing BALFOUR enjoyed the identical line of 1.0ip 0h 0er 0bb 1k when he helped the A's to roll over the Tigers 6-1. Also facing the same heart of the potent Detroit lineup in the bottom of the eighth he had Ordonez struck out swinging, Delmon Young fly out to centre field and Cabrera grounded out to the second baseman.

Australia's Mr. Versatile LUKE HUGHES was back starting at the third base "hot corner" while batting at #5 for the Minnesota Twins in their 4-10 defeat at the hands of the Cleveland Indians yesterday. Luke batted 0-4 to see his major league average for the season drift to .227. Facing 'Tribe' starter Jeanmar Gomez in the bottom of the second Luke grounded into a fielder's choice to the third baseman to erase the lead runner for the first out of the inning. He then suffered exactly the same fate against the same pitcher in the third inning when he made the third out via a fielder's choice ground ball to the third baseman. His struggles against Gomez continued in the fifth when another ground ball to the third baseman resulted into an inning ending double play. Hughes then completed a barren day with the bat by lining out to the short stop for the first out in the bottom of the eighth facing reliever Josh Judy.

The previous day HUGHES again started at third base while batting in the #6 hole for the Twins in their 6-7 loss to the Indians. Facing former Rockies starter Ubaldo Jiminez Luke started his day at the plate with a ground out to the short stop as the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the second. He next made the second out in the fourth when Jiminez had him pop out to the second baseman. Hughes was to be the second out again in the sixth when Jiminez induced him to fly out to right field. Facing reliever Vinnie Pestano in the bottom of the eighth Luke battled hard before being struck out swinging for the third out of the inning. Unfortunately it was another 0-4 game for the Aussie.

On Friday Australian outfielder TRENT OELTJEN pinch hit for the Los Angeles Dodgers with 0-1 (.226) during their 2-6 defeat by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Trent didn't have much fun facing experienced Jason Grilli when he led off the bottom of the eighth by striking out on the minimum three pitches.
For the trivia minded Jason Grilli has previously been a thorn in Australia's side as the starting pitcher for Italy in our first game of the inaugural 2006 World Baseball Classic when a "contrived" Italian team trounced our AROOS in a Mercy Rule killing!

Former ABL import VERNON WELLS (Sydney Storm 1999) batted 1-4 (.217) with a RBI for the Los Angeles Angels who fell 2-6 to the in-form Baltimore Orioles.

On face value the pitching line of 5.0ip 8h 5er 0bb 2k recorded yesterday by Australia's most recent new major leaguer, LIAM HENDRIKS, does not look like a brilliant outing. Having watched the recorded game last night I can inform anyone who didn't that his start certainly wasn't brilliant, but it was by no means poor and deserving of much better than he got in a 3-7 loss for his Minnesota Twins versus the Kansas City Royals. 'Flintoff & Dunn' has never been an apologist for Australian baseball and we don't "sugar coat" the efforts of Australian players; however, this truly was a case of "what could go wrong did".

First and foremost the respected "FOXTRAX" technology showed that, on many occasions, the plate umpire did not give Hendriks legitimate strikes, especially in the lower part of the strike zone and this eventually forced him to throw more pitches up that he would prefer. Next was the fact that only one of the hits he allowed was really hit hard and most just managed to find their way over or into the shallow outfield, not off the fat part of the bats. Finally, the infield defence behind him was dreadful and how one routine double-play in the fourth inning that failed to get an out was not ruled an error is beyond belief!

After a tidy 1-2-3 first inning Liam opened the second with three successive soft singles to Eric Hosmer, Jeff Francouer and Mike Moustakas for one run and Johnny Giavotella added another with a sacrifice fly. Hendriks then induced an uplifting inning ending double play to limit the damage. In the third he allowed just one single to Alex Gordon in an otherwise neat effort that ended with a punch out of power hitter Billy Butler. The bottom of the fourth saw the "Circus Music" begin after Eric Hosmer chopped a single up the middle just out of Hendriks' reach and Jeff Francouer reached on an infield single to the short stop that should have been ruled an error on a routine double-play. Mike Moustakas followed with a RBI single and Johnny Giavotella added another run on a fielder's choice play that produced another error. A third run scored in the inning on the one and only extra base hit when Salvador Perez doubled to deep right field.
To his credit, Hendriks re-grouped to finish the inning with a pop out and a strike out. Even better, he finished his outing on a most positive note with three up and three down in the bottom of the fifth.

Above all Liam Hendriks proved that he has the mental toughness and composure to take the heat of the major league kitchen and he did not allow adversity to affect his concentration. As we said, he was by no means as bad as his current 0-2, 6.00ERA record may appear.

Australia's TRENT OELTJEN made another cameo appearance as a pinch hitter for the Los Angeles Dodgers in their 3-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Facing Daniel Hudson in the bottom of the seventh, Trent didn't see a pitch worthy of swinging at as he took a four pitch walk with two out in the inning. Oeltjen moved to second base on a baulk but that was as far as he got.

Evergreen former ABL import KEVIN MILLWOOD (Melbourne Monarchs 1997) continues to roll back the clock with his third win of the season coming after he pitched 6.0ip 4h 2er 2bb 2k to anchor his Colorado Rockies to a 6-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. The win took his record to 3-2, 3.68ERA.

It may sound all a bit too simple, but all Aussie hurler PETER MOYLAN had to do was to strike out one batter to claim his second win of the season as his Atlanta Braves overran the Florida Marlins 7-1 yesterday. Moylan was called from the bullpen with two out in the top of the sixth and with a runner perched in scoring position at second base. After throwing his first two pitches for strikes Donnie Murphy battled back to a full count before he was finally struck out looking. The win fell in his lap when the Braves overturned a 0-1 deficit with three runs in the home half of the sixth. Pete's line of 0.1ip 0h 0er 0bb 1k took his season record to 2-1, 3.38ERA.

Australia's LUKE HUGHES was back starting at second base yesterday while batting in the #7 slot for the Minnesota Twins who were again shut out in an impotent three-hit 0-4 loss to the Kansas City Royals. Facing Royals' veteran starter Bruce Chen, Hughes made the second out in the top of the second when he was struck out swinging on four pitches. In the fifth he made the first out with the lead runner aboard when Chen had him fly out to right field. Luke battled Chen again as the leadoff hitter in the eighth but this at bat ended with a ground out to the short stop. His 0-3 trimmed his batting average to .234.

'Flintoff & Dunn' CONGRATULATES AUSTRALIA'S No.31 player to reach the US major leagues on 7 September 2011 (AUS time), 22yo West Australian Right Hand Pitcher LIAM HENDRIKS.

22yo Perth pitcher LIAM HENDRIKS today became the 31st Australian to play at the major league level when he made his debut as the starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins in their spanking new Target Field Stadium, Minneapolis. The young tyro that ‘Flintoff & Dunn’ nicknamed the “Wanneroo Wrecker” because of his amazing exploits as a teenager for WA in the Claxton Shield has had a dizzy climb in professional baseball this season. This time last season Liam was pitching at ‘Advanced A’ level for in the Twins organisation, but this year has seen him really take off. After starting the 2011 season in dominant fashion at ‘AA’ New Britain, Hendriks earned a promotion to ‘AAA’ Rochester where he pitched well enough to be selected for the World Team to contest the prestigious All-Star weekend Futures Game. Not long after he now finds himself achieving the dream of all aspiring baseballers by reaching the pinnacle of the sport.

For the time being at least Australia's LUKE HUGHES seems to have settled at the first base position with another start for the Minnesota Twins in their 1-2 defeat by the Chicago White Sox in the early game of a double header today. Batting in the #8 hole he drove in the Twins' only run of the game with 1-3 (.240). His first plate appearance came in the bottom of the third when Philip Humber had him fly out to right field for the first out with one runner on. In the fifth Humber again got him to fly out to centre field for the first out with a runner aboard. Hughes did his job against Humber in the seventh by executing a bunt single to the third baseman to advance a runner into scoring position with one out. Finally, Luke's sacrifice fly off Sergio Santos in the bottom of the ninth got his team within a run but, unfortunately for them, this is the way it concluded.

An import player from the original ABL, journeyman utility infielder GEOFF BLUM (Hunter Eagles 1995) continues to find his place in the US majors and he had a big offensive game for the Arizona Diamondbacks in their high scoring 10-7 win over the Colorado Rockies today. Blum launched his second home run of the season while batting 3-5 (.286) with three runs batted in.

Australian lefty reliever JOSH SPENCE walked the only batter he faced today with 0.0ip 0h 0er 1bb 0k (1.93ERA) for the San Diego Padres during their 2-7 loss to the San Francisco Giants. Spence was summoned from the bullpen in the top of the eighth in a dicey situation with runners on second and third bases and only one out in the inning, just as the Giants were set to break the game wide open. With an open base at first he may have been told to pitch carefully to Brandon Belt, but I'm not sure that a five pitch walk to load the bags was really the ideal result. At least it didn't cost Josh an earned run!

... and from yesterday:

Established Aussie relief ace GRANT BALFOUR had an unusually tough day with 1.0ip 4h 2er 0bb 2k (2.30ERA) for the Oakland Athletics during their 8-5 win over the Seattle Mariners. Grant came in to handle the top of the eighth which started shakily when Justin Smoak lashed a leadoff single into left field before he claimed two quick outs with Miguel Olivo struck out swinging and Kyle Seager lining out to centre field. Trayvon Robinson followed with a double to deep right field to set the table for Luis Rodriguez to rope a two RBI single up the middle. The prolific Japanese great Ichiro Suzuki poked another single into shallow centre field but Balfour was able to stop the bleeding by striking out pinch hitter Adam Kennedy to end the inning. Thankfully the As had a big enough cushion to win the game.

If his more seasoned Aussie compatriot Grant Balfour had a tough time, then that would be a gross understatement for Australia's most recent new major leaguer SHANE LINDSAY whose honeymoon in the major leagues proved to be a short one. In his second outing for the Chicago White Sox poor Lindsay was used as "cannon fodder" with a painful 1.0ip 8h 7er 1bb 1k (31.50ERA) in their 2-18 blowout hammering at the hands of the merciless Detroit Tigers yesterday. With his team already floundering 0-9 to start the bottom of the sixth Shane was simply hung out to "sink or swim" by White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen and it wasn't pretty. In order to make this slightly less painful for Aussie baseball fans, we'll do this as quickly as we can. Victor Martinez walked; Alex Avila doubled to deep centre; Jhonny Peralta smacked a two RBI double into right field; Ryan Raburn struck out swinging; Brandon Inge hit a RBI single into deep centre field; Austin Jackson reached on an infield single via an error; Ramon Santiago popped out to the second baseman... That was two outs, but it didn't end there. Andy Dirks smacked a two RBI single up the middle; Miguel Cabrera pounded a two run homer over centre field; Victor Martinez doubled to deep left field; Alex Avila singled up the middle... Finally, pinch hitter Will Rhymes flied out to right field to end the torture! There's simply nowhere to hide as a major league pitcher in that situation.

26yo Victorian right hand pitcher SHANE LINDSAY today (3 September 2011 AUS time) became the 30th Australian to reach the US major league. Hard-throwing Lindsay may be an enigma in Australian baseball where he has rarely flourished, yet he has been an asset as a relief pitcher in the US professional scene. After having one of his best seasons with the Chicago White Sox this season, mainly in 'AAA', he certainly earned his call up to the extended September roster of the big league 'Chisox'.
Lindsay enjoyed a positive debut when he closed a wide 1-8 defeat by his former Detroit Tigers club in front of just over 42,000 away fans at Detroit's relatively new Comerica Park stadium with 1.0ip 0h 0er 1bb 1k (0.00ERA). As he often does in Australia, Shane struggled for control with only seven of 17 pitches thrown for strikes, yet 'Flintoff & Dunn' will not use this to sour a memorable major league debut.
Pitching the bottom of the eighth, Lindsay got Dayan Viciedo to ground out to the third baseman before issuing a four pitch walk to pinch hitter Brent Lillibridge. His next pitch saw Tyler Flowers foul out to right field and he finished his job by getting Brent Morel to ground out within range of the catcher.

Welcome to the very exclusive club SHANE LINDSAY... it is something that can never be taken away!

We will update other weekend news tomorrow, but we thought that this story deserved its own billing!