Around the Minors

KHOURY EARNS HONOR

University of Utah baseball player Ryan Khoury (Sr., West Jordan, Utah) helped lead the Edenton (N.C.) Steamers to the championship of the Coastal Plain League recently. Following the CPL's Petitt Cup tournament, Khoury was named the Petitt Cup Offensive MVP.

Khoury batted .417 during the four-game championship series, going 5-for-12 at the plate. He also stroked a double and delivered two RBIs. Khoury's squad won its second consecutive league championship and set the Coastal Plain League record for most wins in a regular season, with 34.

For the season, Khoury saw action in 52 games with Edenton. He compiled a batting average of .251 with 10 doubles, three home runs and 27 RBIs. Khoury stole 14 bases as well. He led the CPL with 173 assists from his shortstop position.

The Coastal Plain League (college league) consists of 14 teams throughout North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The wooden-bat league is certified by Major League Baseball and offers players an opportunity to improve their skills in a professional baseball environment.

MORE DRUG SUSPENSIONS

Former major league infielder Luis Ugueto was suspended for 30 games and a young pitcher also was penalized last week for violating the minor league drug policy.

Ugueto, in the Kansas City system, was suspended for 15 games in May under the steroids policy. He was hitting .208 with seven home runs and 29 RBIs for Triple-A Omaha.

Ugueto, 26, played for the Seattle Mariners in 2002-03. In 74 major league games, he hit .214 with one home run.

Reliever Nic Slack of the Milwaukee organization was suspended for 15 games. The 22-year-old righty was 3-4 with five saves and a 6.54 ERA for Class A Brevard County.

There have been 84 suspensions issued this season for violations of the minor league drug program.

Source: Associated Press

VERO BEACH HITS 2 GRAND SLAMS

Edwin Bellorin and Cory Dunlap hit grand slams in the seventh inning on Sunday to power the Vero Beach Dodgers to an 18-9 Florida State League victory over the Jupiter Hammerheads.

Bellorin's blast was part of a career-high seven-RBI afternoon at Holman Stadium. The 23-year-old Venezuelan catcher also came up with the bases loaded in the fifth and doubled to plate three runs.

Source: www.milb.com