There will be no midseason fishing journey to Georgia for Sidewinders catcher Mark Johnson.
After compiling the self-described "best first half of (his) career" at any level, Johnson — who has spent portions of seven seasons in the majors — was named to the Pacific Coast League All-Star team alongside teammates Chad Harville and Alex Romero.
Johnson entered Thursday night owning a .338 batting average with 25 walks to only 11 strikeouts.
"If I wasn't going, I'd just be trying to catch some fish back home like usual, trying to let my body recuperate," said the Perry, Ga., resident. "Those days off are nice, but that game should be something I'll remember."
The Triple-A All-Star Game is set for Wednesday at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque.
All three of the Sidewinders All-Stars had the night off Thursday as Tucson beat the Las Vegas 51s 9-8. Chris Carter, Matt Morgan and Rich Thompson each drove in two runs for Tucson.
People are also reading…
Harville's planned return to Savannah, Tenn., for some family time was also interrupted by his selection to the squad. With 20 saves in 23 opportunities and a 2.84 ERA, Harville will join the Pacific Coast League's relief corps in Albuquerque.
"I've never been to an All-Star Game before so I'm just going to enjoy the three days, being a part of all of it," said Harville.
Romero, who sat out again Thursday with soreness in his back following spasms earlier in the week, is third in the Pacific Coast League in hits with 106.
"(Romero) started off slow, but once we put him in that two spot he got hot, and it hasn't stopped," said Sidewinders manager Bill Plummer.
Mike Schultz, who has made 37 appearances out of the bullpen this season, got the call to start Thursday night, his first start of the year.
Schultz was pounded early, giving up three earned runs and three hits in the first inning. But he settled down to throw scoreless innings in the second and the third before being relieved by Randy Choate.
Choate, who cleared waivers Wednesday to return to Tucson after being designated for assignment by the D-backs on June 28, tossed two scoreless innings.
"Sure I wish he would've stayed up in Phoenix longer, but he's one of the keys to this bullpen," said Plummer. "We like having him around."
The Tucson offense posted five runs in the fourth, including RBI singles from Jamie D'Antona, Thompson and Alberto Callaspo, to take a 5-3 lead and oust Las Vegas starter Eric Cyr.
After scoring two more in the sixth, including an RBI single from Morgan, Chris Carter delivered a two-run double in the seventh, making it 9-3 Tucson.
Las Vegas came back to slice the lead to 9-8 in the seventh when Wilson Valdez laced an RBI single off Tucson reliever Brandon Medders.
Sidewinders right-hander Jailen Peguero pitched a perfect ninth for the save.
Inside pitch
● Plummer said Romero was feeling better Thursday and might be available for pinch-hitting duties today.
Today
• What: Las Vegas at Sidewinders
• When: 7 p.m.
• Radio: 1450-AM