better things ahead

Desmond Jennings is scuffling, as baseball people like to say. (Means he’s not playing well.) The former Itawamba Community College star, who recently spent time on the disabled list with a knee problem, is batting .167 over his last 10 games for Tampa Bay. For the year, he’s down to .243. Not quite what the Rays were looking for this season when they made Jennings their opening day left fielder. One preseason magazine projected Jennings to hit .269 with 15 homers, 50 RBIs, 96 runs and 45 steals. He has those skills. But he’s off that pace at present with three homers, 18 RBIs, 25 runs and nine steals in 45 games. Look for him to take off in the second half. P.S. Former Taylorsville High star Billy Hamilton, now in the Cincinnati Reds system, and Mississippi Braves standout Christian Bethancourt are on the rosters for the All-Star Futures Game, which will be played July 8 in Kansas City.