JENKS IN HOT SEAT

SQUIRRELS STAY HOT, RALLY AGAINST STRUGGLING CLOSER

Frostbite Falls The host Squirrels couldn't hold a 4-3 lead against exciting young Carlos Gonzalez and the other Horned Toads, but visiting Casselton couldn't capitalize, thanks to another blown save in extra innings by disappointing closer Bobby Jenks, as Frostbite Falls went on to tally their fourth straight win to stay close in the Eastern race.

Casselton (53-34) came into the game with a seven-game lead in the Central, but despite their division-leading record they continued to have problems putting teams away. Former Frostbite ace Johann Santana was given a 3-2 lead in the fifth courtesy of Gonzalez's first BARB home run, a two-run shot that knocked out hurler Cole Hamels. But Santana couldn't ice it, allowing a game-tying single to Jayson Werth in the sixth, and a go-ahead run in the eighth triggered in part by Santana being able to handle a ball hit back up the box.

But, fortunately for Santana, Nick Masset was pitching for the Squirrels, and Gonzalez was able to blast a one-out triple and score a few pitches later in the top of the ninth, forcing extra innings, where Joakin Soria (4-4, 3.38) gave up the go-ahead run after drilling pinch-hitter Michael Cuddyer. Soria was able to 'vulture' a win, though, thanks to Casselton closer Bobby Jenks (5-3, 2.18). Jenks retired two hitters...but that was all. Pinch-hitter Drew Stubbs singled to start the bottom of the tenth and stole second with Adam Lind batting. Geovany Soto's errant throw sailed into CF, and Stubbs, the tyng run, ended up on third base with no one out. Jenks then plunked Lind to put runners at the corners. Young hit a scoring fly ball, Longoria grounded harmlessly to second and with two down the Casselton closer took the percentage play and intentionally walked Albert Pujols. Rickie Weeks rained on Casselton's parade, however, singling sharply to score Lind.

It was the eleventh time this season that Jenks or another Casselton reliever has blown a save, fueling speculation that the Horned Toads, surprising front-runners in the Central, may have to make a move and find an established closer to take over Jenks's role with the ball club.

In other BARB action:

LOS ANGELES 10, BROOKLYN 4

WP: Tim Hudson (6-8, 4.55)
LP: Justin Masterson (4-4, 4.99)

Rookie Mike Stanton drove in three runs with three hits, including a two-run double, as the Flyers scored six runs in the seventh off Moabs pitching, sending Brooklyn (50-40) to its fourth straight loss.

POTTSYLVANIA 7, OAKLAND 0

WP: Fausto Carmona (2-3, 4.64)
LP: Danny Haren (9-6, 3.38)

Carmona and two relievers combined on a three-hitter, and Hideki Matsui stroked a grand slam off Danny Haren in the fourth, one of four round-trippers launched off Oakland pitching as the Creepers (42-46) won their third straight.

WORCESTER 10, ARIZONA 8

WP: Philip Hughes (4-1, 3.15)
LP: Ricky Nolasco (10-7, 5.05)
SV: Rivera (22)


Middle men Craig Breslow and Joba Chamberlain made things interesting for the Elims with a five-run eighth, but the great Rivera finally restored order, fanning two in the ninth with the tying run at the plate, as Worcester improved their BARB-leading to 55 wins and 36 losses.

YUMA 2, DARWIN 1

WP: Roy Halladay (8-7, 3.96)
LP: Zack Greinke (6-7, 3.07)

Zack Greinke went eight strong innings and even helped his cause with an RBI single, but it was 'Doc' Halladay who prevailed, going the distance and allowing just two hits in the last five innings . Halladay and the Firebirds improved to a West-leading 48-39 mark with the win, the team's fifth straight triumph, dropping the visiting Finches to .500

BLACK MESA 7, MADTOWN 4

WP: Wandy Rodriguez (6-7, 4.54)
LP: Jered Weaver (7-7, 4.14)
SV: Rosa (4)

Prince Fielder had three hits, including his 25th HR of the season, but it just wasn't enough against the Anomalies, who loaded the bases twice in the first four innings and got run-scoring hits to cash in. Wandy Rodriguez's outing was so-so, but he still managed to collect seven K's, and is now an ace-like 5-2 with a 3.05 ERA in his last nine starts.