Juan is not gone for Silver Sox

RENO - Reno right fielder Juan Senreiso, mired in a 1-for-16 slump, was on the verge of being released by manager Les Lancaster last Tuesday.

In fact, Lancaster told this reporter that he had planned on releasing Senreiso after that night's game.

Senreiso went out and went 3-for-6 with two homers and five RBI to lead the Silver Sox to a 13-9 win over Chico, and that helped save his job.

Senreiso, who struck out 10 times in his first 16 at-bats, said he didn't know that he had been on the verge of being released, nor did he really care.

The Dominican-born Senreiso, who had the reputation as a free swinger and somebody who struck out a lot (611 out of 2,548 at-bats) is 14 for his last 32 and has raised his average to a solid .313, and more importantly hasn't struck out in his last 32 at-bats.

Senreiso, who got as high as Double A with the Royals and Rangers, said he has worked extremely hard with hitting coach Mike Done in the past week. Both Done and Lancaster have encouraged to compact his swing, the shorter the better.

"I got into the cage and he (Done) showed me some things to do," Senreiso said. "It gave me a good result.

"When I was 1-for-16, I was trying to pull every ball. Every ball they threw to the outside, I didn't see it."

Done said Latin-born players have a flair for big swings and trying to look for the big hit.

"Early on, he was having trouble hitting the slider or any breaking ball, and he was seeing a lot of those and he was coming off the ball," Done said. "He's more relaxed now. He's been hot ever since that (Chico game)."

Senreiso, who hit .284 in the Texas League in 2005 and .287 in the California League in 2006, plans to go back to the Dominican Republic and play winter ball. He hopes a good performance here and during winter ball will give him another shot with an organization.

MADRID INJURY WORSE

Reno infielder Bub Madrid said prior to the game that he might be out the rest of the first half.

Madrid injured his left hamstring against St. George. And, because he was favoring it so much, he's having hip/lower back problems, too.

It's a key loss for the Sox. Madrid is hitting .351 with three homers and 18 RBI.

"He's one of our best hitters," said hitting coach Mike Done. "You can put him in the two hole, the five hole or the three hole. He's got a good swing and he's really aggressive. He drives in runs. Other guys are going to have to come up big."

GBL HONORS SIMMONS

Reno left fielder Kane Simmons, who is hitting .357 with five homers was honored as the GBL Player of the Week.

Simmons has been hitting .342 over his last 10 games and .412 over his last five games.

THE CHICKEN IS HERE

The World Famous Chicken, also known as the San Diego Chicken, makes his first-ever appearance in Reno tonight (7 p.m.) when the Silver Sox and Armada close out their brief two-game series.

BERGMAN SUSPENDED

Ex-Carson High pitcher Dusty Bergman found out last night after recording his first win of the season that he'd been suspended for three games for his part in last week's brawl with the Chico Outlaws.

Bergman spent the night in the broadcast booth with Silver Sox broadcaster Ben Deach.

•Contact Darrell Moody at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1281