Cusick drives in 2, gets traded

Herald-Leader Staff Report

For Lexington Legends second baseman Matt Cusick, it was good morning, good afternoon and goodbye.

Cusick made his final game with the Lexington Legends a winning one Wednesday when he drove in two runs in a 3-1 victory over the Hagerstown Suns in a morning contest at Hagerstown, Md.

Thursday
Lexington at Hagerstown
When: 7:05 p.m.
Pitchers: Legends, Bello (5-5); Suns, Engles (3-2)
Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

Later in the day, Cusick was acquired by the New York Yankees in a trade that sent right-hander LaTroy Hawkins to the Houston Astros. New York also sent cash to the Astros as part of the deal.

Cusick was drafted by the Astros last year in the 10th round out of Southern Cal.

“We like Matt. He's swinging the bat very well at Lexington,” Astros General Manager Ed Wade said. “We consider him a prospect, and obviously, the Yankees consider him a prospect also.”

Wednesday's victory was Lexington's 10th in 12 South Atlantic League games, following a 5-21 second-half start.

Cusick led off the game that started at 11:05 a.m. with a home run on the second pitch. He added a sacrifice fly in the eighth for the Legends' final run.

Jeff Icenogle (3-7) allowed one run in 61⁄3 innings to get the win, his second in a row.

Reid Kelly pitched a shutout inning in relief and Jay Pacella went the final 12⁄3 innings to pick up his 12th save.

The Lexington bullpen has not allowed a run over the past 92⁄3 innings.