If We Win Tomorrow...

...that's called a winning streak, it HAS HAPPENED BEFORE." - Lou Brown, Major League II

The ode to Lou Brown brings about the fact that the K-Tribe went on their longest winning streak of the year last week, winning their last two games in Lynchburg and their first two games in Frederick. Kinston also received a big jolt by splitting their home series with Potomac, that saw the first wins for two of their front-line starters, Carlton Smith and Steven Wright. The first set of roster moves was made last week with the Indians gaining one player from above and one from below. They brought reliever Sung-Wei Tseng down from AA Akron, who failed to prove himself at the next level posting an ERA near 9. Tseng came on and recorded a six-out save against the Nationals on Saturday to clinch the split of the series. The K-Tribe also received Wentzville, Missouri native Mike Pontius from Low A Lake County. The Holt High School grad was knocked around in 2/3 of an inning Friday night against the P-Nats, but Josh Tomlin came in to limit the damage, and the Kinston bats provided enough insurance to ensure the victory for Wright and the K-Tribe. Both these players have a lot to prove, but with plenty of opportunities to do so.
More great output continues to come from Josh Tomlin who has allowed only one run in his last 10 appearances. Luis Perdomo, the man Chris Hemeyer calls the "Dominican Dominator," still has not allowed an earned run in 14 appearances with seven saves. Starter Jeanmar Gomez turned in his best start of the season going five innings and giving up three runs in his first win in Frederick.
Johnny Drennen's consecutive games on-base streak ended at 21 straight games on base and 31 games dating back to last season. Nick Weglarz had a big series in Frederick with two home runs, four RBI's and five runs scored. Carlos Rivero has made shortstop a key hitting position for Kinston collecting hits in eight straight games against Lynchburg, Frederick, and the first two games of the Potomac series.
How Kinston performed on this past stretch was a big test on how their chances to contend in the first half would be affected. Now that the K-Tribe has shown the ability to compete with the top teams in the Carolina League, they face a team tied for last in the North Division (Wilmington), and the team only a game ahead of them in the South (Winston-Salem). Both these series set up for a showdown with first place Myrtle Beach. Eight chances to move up in the standings are critical for Kinston to take care of business while only being six back in the loss column.
Following that Myrtle Beach series, I'll be joining the team for the first time as they host Winston-Salem. I'll probably post a couple of times while I'm home just to take care of the baseball withdrawal from finals. That said, you can catch all the Kinston action on the Kinston Indians Radio Network, or online at kinstonindians.com.