LYNX: MORAN COULD PROVIDE SOME SPARK

Promising 24-year-old outfielder Javon Moran batted in the leadoff spot and went 1-for-3 with a walk in his Triple-A debut in tonight's 2-0 Lynx loss (boxscore, play-by-play) vs. the Richmond Braves.

Moran was putting up good numbers at Double-A Reading -- .388 on-base percentage (10th-best in the Eastern League), 52 runs scored in 67 games and 24 steals (albeit with 12 times caught stealing), good for third in that loop. He is not considered a big-time prospect, but hey, the Lynx are playing out the string. If tonight is any indicator, Moran is the new leadoff man. Chris Roberson slid down to the 2-hole and moved over to left. Joe Thurston hasn't done too bad a job in that spot, but the lefty-hitting second baseman got the night off vs. a left-handed starter.

Meantime, the game was a five-hitter -- three for the Lynx and two for Richmond, neither of which came in their scoring runs. R-Braves leadoff man Derek Lillibridge walked, stole second and came in on a sac fly in the first vs. Fabio Castro (4-3). In the eighth, he walked and eventually scored on a bases-full walk by Kane Davis, making it eight losses in nine games for the Lynx (40-65).

Bottom line, Moran could provide some excitement over the final six weeks if he's up for good. Lynx lefty Eude Brito (1-6, 6.75, 1.83 WHIP) starts tomorrow night vs. Richmond right-hander Kevin Barry (4-6, 4.28, 1.43 WHIP).