big stuff

Minnesota reliever Dusty Hughes, the former Delta State standout from Tupelo, was credited with the defensive play of the day by MLB Network for a catch he made off the mound on Tuesday night. Hughes also got the win, his first of 2011, as the Twins beat Kansas City, his former team. Other homeboy heroics from the big leagues on Tuesday included: Mitch Moreland (Mississippi State) boosting his average to .333 with a pair of hits for Texas; Marcus Thames (East Central Community College) belting his first home run of the year for the Los Angeles Dodgers; slow-starting Chris Coghlan (Ole Miss) notching a pair of infield hits for Florida; and Bill Hall (Nettleton) making a nice catch at second base and a nifty baserunning move (plus a hit and an RBI) in Houston’s win over the Chicago Cubs. Former Mississippi Braves Brian McCann and Jason Heyward homered to back ex-M-Braves hurler Tommy Hanson’s seven shutout innings in Atlanta’s win over the Marlins; and ex-Jackson General Lance Berkman hit his third homer in two days for St. Louis.