Cardinals Sign Newbury Park Pitcher

Tyler Johnson, a left-handed pitcher from Newbury Park High, signed with the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday.

Johnson was a 34th-round draft pick in June and the Cardinals had until a week before this year’s draft to sign him. He will be assigned to Johnson City, Tenn., of the Class-A Appalachian League.

“Tyler has a wicked slider and great movement on his fastball,” said Chuck Fick, a scouting supervisor for the Cardinals. “He has a lot of potential.”

Johnson, 19, was All-Ventura County pitcher of the year in 1999 and pitched for Moorpark College in 2000. He did not play this season.

JETHAWKS

J.D. Closser hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning and the JetHawks led the rest of the way in a 7-5 victory over the Bakersfield Blaze on Tuesday night at Lancaster.

Tim Olson had two of the JetHawks’ eight hits.

Today’s game: Lancaster at Bakersfield, 7 p.m. On the radio: KUTY-AM (1470).

AROUND THE LEAGUES

Scanning Monday’s box scores:

Triple A--Bob Scanlan (Harvard-Westlake High) saved his 13th consecutive game for Ottawa (Expos) in a 6-5 victory over Columbus (Yankees). Brandon Knight (Buena, Ventura College) of Columbus struck out 10 but didn’t get a decision, ending his streak of five consecutive victories.

Double A--Eric Gillespie (Cal State Northridge) had three hits and drove in a run for Portland (Marlins) in a 9-0 victory over Harrisburg. . . . Nate Dishington (Hoover) hit his sixth home run for New Haven (Cardinals) in a 3-1 loss to Reading. . . . Chris Baker (Hart, Canyons) improved to 5-2 for Tennessee (Blue Jays) with a six-hit shutout of Birmingham (White Sox). Joe Borchard (Camarillo) had two hits for Birmingham. . . . Brian Luderer (Crespi) had three hits for Midland (Athletics) in a 5-2 victory at San Antonio.

Class A--Fernando Rios (Glendale) had two hits and a run batted in for Mudville (Reds) in a 9-5 loss at High Desert. . . . Danny Phillips (Chatsworth, Northridge) had two hits for Salem (Rockies) in a 5-3 victory over Lynchburg. . . . Covelli Crisp (Pierce) had three hits and his 11th stolen base for Potomac (Cardinals) in a 5-4 victory over John Ennis (Monroe) and Myrtle Beach (Braves). . . . Rick Nadeau (Kennedy) had three hits and an RBI for Sarasota (Red Sox) in a 3-2 loss at Dunedin.