News and notes

Catcher Cody Clark (Conway), who played for the Arkansas Razorbacks in 2002, was promoted to Houston on Friday by the Astros organization when his contract was purchased from Class AA Corpus Christi. It’s the first time Clark, a former Northwest Arkansas Natural who resides in Fayetteville in the offseason, has been on a major-league roster. He has spent the majority of the season with Class AAA Oklahoma City and had just been sent to Corpus Christi on Tuesday to replace catcher Max Stassi, who was promoted to Houston when Astros backup catcher Carlos Corporan sustained a concussion. Now Clark will replace Stassi in Houston after Stassi went on the disabled list after being hit in the face with a pitch Wednesday against the Texas Rangers. Clark, who appeared in only two games for Corpus Christi, batted .212 in 46 combined games with 1 home run and 13 RBI. He appeared as a pinch hitter and defensive replacement in Houston’s 12-4 victory over Toronto on Friday and struck out in his only at-bat.

Outfielder Matt Vinson (Arkansas Razorbacks) voluntarily retired from the Arizona Diamondbacks organization Aug. 3. Vinson, who was drafted by the Diamondbacks in the 37th round of the MLB Draft in June, batted .180 in 20 games with the Class A Missoula Osprey. He scored 10 runs on 11 hits, including 6 doubles, 1 triple and 1 home run, with 10 RBI and 6 stolen bases.

Who’s hot MICHAEL FAULKNER (Arkansas State) saw his batting average rise to .240. In 17 at-bats during 6 games, Faulkner scored 7 runs on 6 hits, including 3 doubles, with 2 RBI.

JUSTIN THOMAS (Southern Arkansas) picked up his first victory as a professional and saw his ERA drop 0.61. He is 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA. The victory came Wednesday at Lakewood, in which Thomas did not allow any runs on 1 hit with no walks and 5 strikeouts in 2 innings.

Who’s not ZACK COX (Arkansas Razorbacks) saw his batting average drop to .265. In 22 at-bats during 6 games, Cox scored just 1 run on 3 hits, including 1 double.

MONTREAL ROBERTSON (McGehee) picked up a loss but saw his ERA drop 0.16. He is 2-7 with a 6.45 ERA. The loss came Aug. 18 at Dayton, in which Robertson allowed 4 runs (2 earned) on 8 hits with 3 walks and 3 strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.

Sports, Pages 34 on 08/25/2013