Witherspoon makes impact, Sixers’ magic number is 8

Travis Witherspoon, yet another speedy defensive outfielder in the Angels’ system, made his 66ers debut on Saturday. He helped lead the Sixers to a 7-2 win over the Quakes and lower their magic number to

All he did in his firrst at-bat was hit a home run to the back of Home Run Hill in left field, a feat rarely accomplished in pitcher-friendly Arrowhead Credit Union Park.

He showed his speed by beating out an infield grounder (ruled an error) in the third inning, going first to third on an errant pickoff attempt and scoring on another grounder.

He tried to steal home as part of a double steal in the fourth, but was foiled. With Kole Calhoun at first and Witherspoon on third and two outs, Calhoun took off for second. Catcher Jessie Mier fired a strike to second baseman Jaime Pedroza. Unable to get Calhoun, Pedroza fired back to Mier to tag out Witherspoon.

It was only the 10th time this season in 54 attempts that Witherspoon had been caught trying to steal. Overall at Cedar Rapids, Witherspoon hit .245 with 12 homers and 44 stolen bases.