Jon Gaston Named California League Hitter of the Week
May 12, 2009 - California League (CalL1)
Lancaster JetHawks News Release
(LANCASTER, CA) - Jon Gaston's massive week between May 5 and May 10 has led to his selection as the California League's Hitter of the Week. Named by minorleaguebaseball.com, Gaston becomes the first JetHawks player to earn an offensive or defensive Player of the Week honor this season.
The 22-year old outfielder put up a career week while battling the Lake Elsinore Storm and Inland Empire 66ers. At the Diamond in Lake Elsinore, Gaston hit four home runs, including three in one game. In that single contest, the seventh round draft choice of the Astros in 2008 knocked in seven runs.
Gaston continued his hot hitting at home against Inland Empire. For the week Gaston hit .565 with four homers, two triples, four doubles, and 14 runs driven in. He struck out only one time in 23 at bats.
In addition to the honor for a current JetHawk, former Lancaster star Aaron Bates was honored for his efforts in the Eastern League. Bates hit .520 for the week with a home run and 10 RBI. The Red Sox farmhand made California League history with the JetHawks in 2007 when he became the first player in league history to hit four home runs in a single game.
Continuing the trend of successful Lancaster alumni last week, former JetHawks pitcher Daniel Bard was called up the Major Leagues Sunday night and was in uniform for the Boston Red Sox. A teammate of Bates in 2007, Bard spent just a month as a starting pitcher for Lancaster before being sent back to extended spring training to be converted into a reliever.
Bard becomes the 88th player in the history of the JetHawks franchise to go from Lancaster to the Major Leagues. He is the third player to make his debut already in 2009, joining Red Sox teammate Hunter Jones, a reliever for the JetHawks in 2007, and Esmerling Vasquez of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who was a starting pitcher for Lancaster in 2006.
California League Stories from May 12, 2009
- Quakes Open Weeklong Homestand May 12th - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Quakes Recycle Tuesday & Kraft Singles Tuesday Night Tickets - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- San Jose Giants at Visalia Rawhide, May 12-14 - San Jose Giants
- Jon Gaston Named California League Hitter of the Week - Lancaster JetHawks
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