Bates Named Eastern League Player of the Week
June 1, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Portland Sea Dogs News Release
Portland, Maine- Portland Sea Dogs' outfielder Aaron Bates has been named the Eastern League Player of the Week for the week of May 25th through May 31st. It is the second time this month that Bates has earned the award, Bates also took home the honor for the week of May 4th through May 10th.
Bates hit .464 (13-for28) in seven games for the Sea Dogs during the week with three home runs, eight runs scored and 10 RBI. Bates, who is a native of Manhattan, New York, reached base in all seven games he played in last week and had five multiple hit games, including going 4-for-4 with two home runs, four RBI and four runs scored in a 10-5 victory over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on May 28th. During the week Bates was hit by three pitches, giving him 29 in his Sea Dogs career, establishing a new franchise record surpassing the previous mark of 27 held by Jeff Bailey.
Bates is leading all Red Sox Minor Leaguers in average (.348), home runs (7), and RBI (35). Bates leads the Eastern League with 62 hits and ranks second in the league in hitting (.348) and runs scored (35), while he ranks fifth in RBI (35). Bates tied a franchise record by collecting 28 RBI in the month of May tying Kevin Millar (1997) and Ross Gload (1999). The 25 year-old, has reached base safely in 42 of 45 games played this season, including a team high 23 straight games from April 16th to May 14th.
Bates batted .276 with 26 doubles, two triples, 11 home runs, 68 RBI and 61 runs scored in 124 games with the Sea Dogs last season. He was a California League All-Star in 2007 before earning a promotion to Double-A Portland on August 10th. Bates was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 3rd round of the 2006 draft out of North Carolina State University.
This marks the third time this season that a Sea Dogs player has been selected as the Eastern League Player of the Week. Sea Dogs' third baseman Jorge Jimenez earned the honor for the opening week of the season.
The Portland Sea Dogs begin a seven game homestand Monday night at 6:00 PM at Hadlock Field against the Binghamton Mets. Tickets are available for all remaining 2009 Portland Sea Dogs' home games. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500 or online at www.seadogs.com.
• Discuss this story on the Eastern League message board...
Eastern League Stories from June 1, 2009
- Aeros Outlast Phillies in 12, 13-10 - Akron RubberDucks
- Double Steal Helps B-Mets Beat 'Dogs - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- B-Mets Steal One from 'Dogs in 10 Innings - Portland Sea Dogs
- Thunder Quiets Baysox Offense - Bowie Baysox
- Curve Claw Back to 5-4 Win in Extras - Altoona Curve
- Defenders Get Trounced 9-0 - Connecticut Defenders
- Trenton Blanks Bowie 2-0 - Trenton Thunder
- New Hampshire Clips Senators 2-1 - Harrisburg Senators
- Erie SeaWolves vs. Altoona Curve...Game One of Four - Erie SeaWolves
- Vazquez Placed on Disabled List - Trenton Thunder
- Wolves Begin Four-Game Series With Altoona Tonight - Erie SeaWolves
- McAllister Named EL Pitcher of the Week - Trenton Thunder
- Thunder Clean Water Pledge Program Concluded Third Year on Sunday - Trenton Thunder
- Aerodynamics - Akron RubberDucks
- Curve Tonight at Erie - Altoona Curve
- Bates Named Eastern League Player of the Week - Portland Sea Dogs
- Eastern League Announces Weekly Award Winners - EL1
- Phillies 2006 top pick Kyle Drabek joins Reading - Reading Fightin Phils
- Cardona Joins Baysox - Bowie Baysox
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
