HUTTING A STEP CLOSER TO THE BIG LEAGUES PROMOTED TO TRIPLE-A FRESNO POST.

Byline: HEATHER GRIPP Staff Writer

Hart High product Tim Hutting moved a step closer to reaching the big leagues when the San Francisco Giants' minor leaguer was recently promoted to Triple-A Fresno.

After a slow start through his first few games with the Grizzlies, Hutting had a big game Tuesday against Sacramento. He went 2 for 3, including a ninth-inning home run for his first homer at the Triple-A level.

Hutting, an infielder, had a brief stint with Fresno earlier in the year but had spent most of the season with Single-A San Jose. He hit .271 with San Jose.

Pitching in: Hart graduate J.T. Stotts spends most of his time with Double-A Trenton of the New York Yankees organization as an infielder, but on Sunday he put his arm to use as a pitcher. He pitched the 14th inning of the Thunder's 14-13, 14-inning loss to Portland.

Stotts had started the game at third base and moved to shortstop before pitching. He retired the first batter he faced, but then issued a walk, hit a batter and walked another before surrendering the game-winning hit.

All-Star: Hart product Chris Baker is scheduled to play for the Pacific Coast League all-stars in Wednesday's Triple-A All-Star Game in Toledo. The right-hander entered the final series before the break with an 8-3 record and 2.42 ERA for the first-place Round Rock (Texas) Express.

Team leaders: A few local products entered the weekend as statistical leaders for their respective teams. White Sox prospect Jerry Owens of Hart had a team-high 27 stolen bases for Triple-A Charlotte, good for third-best in the International League. Another former Hart player, Chris Valaika, took over sole possession of the RBI lead for rookie Billings, Mont., when he drove in his 10th RBI Thursday in a victory over Helena. He ranked second on the team with five doubles.

Canyon graduate Chris Seddon leads Triple-A Durham's pitching staff with six wins.

Independent man: Former Canyon ace Joe Gault is continuing his career as a rookie with the Sussex, N.J., Skyhawks of the independent Can-Am League. The right-hander was 1-2 with a 4.09 ERA and 17 strikeouts through 22 innings as a reliever.

heather.gripp(at)dailynews.com

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