Veterans Barker and Towers Named IL Players of the Week
Published on August 3, 2009 under International League (IL1) News Release
The International League announced today that Louisville first baseman Kevin Barker and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre pitcher Josh Towers have been named the League's Batter and Pitcher of the Week for the period from July 27-August 2. Barker's honor gives Louisville eight Player of the Week Awards this season, which is the most for any team since Durham collected eight awards in 2007. Towers is the fourth member of the Yankees to be so honored this year.
KEVIN BARKER, Louisville Bats IL BATTER OF THE WEEK
First baseman Kevin Barker led the International League with 3 home runs, 11 RBI, 6 extra-base hits, a .536 on-base percentage and a 1.000 slugging percentage this week, while finishing 2nd in hitting with a .455 average. Monday night at Syracuse, Barker crushed his fifth career grand slam in a Louisville uniform, breaking Brandon Larson's franchise record. The bomb began a string of seven straight games in which Barker has driven in at least one run. His solo homer on Saturday night against Charlotte gave him 20 HR for the seventh time in his career, and for the fourth time in a Louisville uniform. Barker is now 2nd in the League in home runs as well as slugging percentage (.562), and he's currently tied for 5th with 58 RBI.
Kevin Barker, who turned 34 last Sunday, is in his 14th season as a professional player. He played for Louisville in 1998-99 while with the Milwaukee organization, and returned last year after signing with the Reds. Barker hit .258 last season with 21 HR and 77 RBI, and was co-recipient of the Mary E. Barney Award as the team MVP. Barker is a native of Bristol, Virginia.
JOSH TOWERS, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees IL PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Right-hander Josh Towers turned in consecutive strong starts for the Yankees this week, allowing just two earned runs in a League-best 14.0 innings. Towers did not receive a decision in his first outing Tuesday night against Durham. In a battle of division leaders, Towers went 7.0 innings, allowing two runs on six hits with a walk and seven strikeouts. The rival Pawtucket Red Sox came calling last night, but they could not dent the plate against the victorious Towers. He again went 7.0 innings, scattering five hits and three walks in a 3-0 Yankees triumph. Towers has now posted a 3.42 ERA in 15 appearances since signing with the Yankees as a free agent in May. He began the year with Syracuse, but was disabled after one game and subsequently released.
32-year-old Josh Towers is in his 14th season as a professional player. He is a veteran of 137 Major League games with the Orioles (2001-02) and Blue Jays (2003-07). He spent the 2008 season with Colorado Springs of the Pacific Coast League, going 6-7 with a 6.27 ERA. Towers is a native of Port Hueneme, California.
International League Stories from August 3, 2009
- Syracuse knocks off Norfolk, 8-2 - Norfolk Tides
- Homers lead Tribe past Bulls, 6-2 - Indianapolis Indians
- Bulls drop another to Indy, fall into first place tie - Durham Bulls
- Bankston, Stubbs propel Bats past Knights - Louisville Bats
- Bisons Add RHP Jim Ed Warden - Buffalo Bisons
- Bisons Game Notes August 3rd - Buffalo Bisons
- LIVESTRONG Yellow Out Night Aug. 16 - Louisville Bats
- Veterans Barker and Towers Named IL Players of the Week - IL1
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