Today’s game
Who: Cedar Rapids (13-10) at Dayton (8-15)
When: 7 p.m.
Radio: WING-AM (1410)
As they try to avoid setting a franchise record for consecutive Fifth Third Field losses tonight, July 21, against the Cedar Rapids Kernels, the Dayton Dragons will be without one of their top run producers.
First baseman Chris Richburg, a 23rd-round draft pick in 2009 who overcame a heel injury and a concussion to hit .251 with a team-leading 14 home runs and 51 RBIs in his first Midwest League season, was called up to advanced Class A Lynchburg (Va.) over the weekend by the Cincinnati Reds.
Taking Richburg’s place on the roster — and likely to debut in the Cedar Rapids series over the next few days — is first baseman Jonathan Kaskow, a native Texan who in 19 games with rookie-level Billings was batting .323 with three homers and 13 RBIs. Miami University product Tommy Nurre is the starter, at least for the time being.
• Richburg is the 10th Dragon this season promoted to Lynchburg, following outfielders Efrain Contreras and Byron Wiley; catchers Kevin Coddington and Jordan Wideman; pitchers Nick Christiani, Chase Ware and Donnie Joseph; infielder Shane Carlson; and utilityman Kevyn Feiner.
All but Wiley (released by the Reds) and Feiner (since returned to the Dragons) remain at Lynchburg. Wiley, who led the Dragons in on-base percentage and slugging percentage last season, was picked up by the Arizona Diamondbacks and is on the disabled list at Class A Visalia.
STREAKY SQUAD: The Dragons, who begin a nine-game homestand, snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 6-2 win at Burlington on Sunday. That streak followed a six-game winning streak, which had followed a five-game losing streak.
Rained out Monday in Burlington, the Dragons have lost eight straight at home, equaling the franchise record (also tied earlier this season) that has stood since 2002.
ABOUT THE KERNELS: Cedar Rapids is a Los Angeles Angels affiliate. The Kernels won the first-half Western Division championship and are 13-10 in the second half, but the Dragons won't have to face prized outfield prospect Mike Trout, who batted .362 in the first half with a .980 OPS. He's been promoted.
NEW GUY: Kaskow, picked by the Reds in the 41st round of last month's amateur draft, batted .328 as a junior at Stanford University with a homer and 28 RBIs in 46 games.
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