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 Salem-Keizer Volcanoes

Pucetas Wins Most Spectacular Pitcher Award

September 13, 2007 - Northwest League (NWL1)
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes News Release


ST. PETERSBURG, FL- Augusta right-hander Kevin Pucetas is the winner of Minor League Baseball's second annual Most Spectacular Pitcher Award, with a 1.86 earned run average (ERA). The award, sponsored by VYTORIN® (ezetimibe/simvastatin), goes to the qualifying pitcher with the lowest regular season ERA in a domestic full-season league.

Pucetas went 15-4 with 104 strikeouts and only 21 walks in 145.1 innings for the Augusta GreenJackets. The 22-year-old allowed just 30 earned runs and was also named the South Atlantic League's Most Outstanding Pitcher. The San Francisco Giants selected Pucetas in the 17th round out of Limestone (SC) College in 2006.

Pucetas starred for the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes in 2006, as he posted a 7-1 record with a 2.17 ERA. He appeared in 15 games, pitched 71 innings, allowed 57 hits, struck out 60 while walking just 19 hitters.

Pucetas, of Spartanburg, SC, will receive the MSP Award trophy and a check for $7,500 at a ceremony at the Triple-A Championship game in Oklahoma City on September 18. Former Major League pitcher and Hall-of-Fame candidate Goose Gossage will present the Most Spectacular Pitcher Award, sponsored by VYTORIN (ezetimibe/simvastatin), to Pucetas in Oklahoma City.

"I'm honored to receive the second annual Most Spectacular Pitcher Award, sponsored by VYTORIN (ezetimibe/simvastatin)," said Pucetas. "It feels great to be recognized for doing what I love and I am appreciative of all the fans that come out and support Minor League Baseball."

Additionally, the pitcher with the best ERA in each basic Minor League Baseball classification (Triple-A; Double-A; Single-A; Short-Season) receives a $500 cash prize, provided he is not the overall winner. The classification winners are Rochester Red Wings' right-hander Kevin Slowey (1.89 ERA in 133.2 Triple-A innings); right-hander Christopher Mason of the Montgomery Biscuits (2.57 ERA in 161.1 Double-A innings); and Danville Braves' left-hander Jose Ortegano (1.48 ERA in 60.2 Short-Season innings).

To be eligible for the Most Spectacular Pitcher Award, sponsored by VYTORIN (ezetimibe/simvastatin), a pitcher must have worked a minimum of 112 innings, which is the standard for ERA titles in leagues playing the usual 140-game Minor League Baseball season. Short-Season league pitchers must have worked a minimum of 45 innings to be eligible for the classification prize.

Scott Lewis won the inaugural MSP Award last year with a 1.48 ERA while pitching for the Carolina League's Kinston Indians.

Additional information regarding the MSP Award is available at www.MSPAward.com. The MSP Award Web site is also home to trivia and a fan sweepstakes offering chances to win prizes such as a baseball outing with family and friends at a Minor League Baseball ballpark. Fans must enter the sweepstakes by 11:59 pm EST on September 21, 2007 to win.


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