-- The Erie SeaWolves will take their cuts against Cleveland Indians starter Jake Westbrook on Friday.
Westbrook is scheduled to make a rehab start for the Akron Aeros, who host Erie in a four-game series Friday through Monday at Canal Park. He is expected to throw 80 to 85 pitches.
“You never know what happens in those games,” SeaWolves manager Tom Brookens said. “Players get pumped up to face someone like that. There’s certainly a difference between major league pitchers and guys here, but it isn’t that great a difference. These guys will be excited, I’m sure, and we’ll go out with every intention of winning that ballgame. We’re not going to be awed by anybody.”
The right-handed Westbrook has been bothered by a left intercostal strain. He made a rehab appearance with Single-A Lake County on Sunday and threw 3 2/3 innings against Lexington, allowing one run and three hits, with four strikeouts and one walk.
Westbrook’s outing with Lake County was cut short by rain, forcing him to throw the last 18 of his 70 pitches in the bullpen.
-- SeaWolves left fielder Wilkin Ramirez was shaken up in the seventh inning Wednesday after Bowie right-hander Felix Romero hit Ramirez with a high, inside pitch.
Romero’s pitch struck Ramirez on his left shoulder before glancing up and catching the Erie outfielder on his jaw. Ramirez spent a couple minutes lying facedown in the batter’s box while he was attended to by the trainer. Ramirez got up and walked back to the dugout. Outfielder Jeff Frazier pinch-ran for him.
“He was a little dazed, I thought,” Brookens said. “We took him out for precautionary reasons and he seems to be OK. I’ll see how he feels in the morning (today) and I’ll make a decision at that time if he’ll be in the lineup.”
-- The SeaWolves’ scheduled six-game homestand next weekend is now a seven-game homestand.
Erie’s April 30 rainout at Altoona has been rescheduled as part of a doubleheader with the Curve on May 31 at 5:05 p.m. at Jerry Uht Park. Originally, Erie was set to host the Curve at 6:35 p.m. in a single game.
The SeaWolves do not visit Altoona again this season, necessitating a rescheduling of the game at Uht Park. Erie will begin the homestand with a three-game series against Reading May 27-29, then host Altoona in a four-game series.
-- Erie and Bowie wrap up their four-game series today with an 11:05 a.m. School Days game at Uht Park. Today’s scheduled starters are Erie right-hander Andrew Kown (2-4, 5.82) and Bowie right-hander Brad Bergesen (4-0, 1.36).