Lehigh Valley's Taylor and Indianapolis' McCutchen Named IL Players of the Week
Published on August 17, 2009 under International League (IL1) News Release
The International League announced today that Lehigh Valley outfielder Michael Taylor and Indianapolis pitcher Daniel McCutchen have been named the League's Batter and Pitcher of the Week for the period from August 10-16. Both men are the third member of their respective club to win an IL weekly award in 2009. Taylor follows Justin Lehr (April 13-19, May 4-10) and Andy Tracy (June 15-21) while McCutchen follows Lastings Milledge (July 16-19) and Eric Hacker (August 3-9).
MICHAEL TAYLOR, Lehigh Valley IronPigs
IL BATTER OF THE WEEK
Michael Taylor was near the top of the International League in several offensive categories this week, setting several new records for his young Lehigh Valley franchise along the way. Though he collected hits in just three of his six games, Taylor posted a .417 average (10th) with 2 home runs (T-4th), 8 RBI (T-4th), 5 extra-base hits (T-5th), and a .833 slugging percentage (5th). The first bit of history came in the 7th inning Tuesday night, when Taylor became the first IronPigs outfielder ever to record two assists in one inning. The next evening, Taylor used his bat to make more Lehigh Valley history. Going 5-5 with 2 doubles, a triple, a homer, and 4 RBI, Taylor became the franchise's first player to hit for the cycle. He also established new team records with 5 hits and 12 total bases. The cycle could hardly have come in more dramatic fashion, as the home run tied the game at 9-9 with one out in the bottom of the 9th (the âPigs won 10-9 in 10 innings). Taylor also homered and drove in four more runs over the weekend at Buffalo.
23-year-old Michael Taylor is in his first season playing above the Class-A level. He began the year with Double-A Reading, with whom he hit .333 with 15 HR and 65 RBI in 86 games. After playing in the Eastern League All-Star Game, he was promoted to Lehigh Valley. Taylor is a native of Cheverly, Maryland.
DANIEL MCCUTCHEN, Indianapolis Indians
IL PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Right-hander Daniel McCutchen didn't allow a run this week in either of his two victories, while also tying for 2nd in innings pitched (13.2) and 3rd in strikeouts (12). He turned in his longest outing of the season Monday night against the Clippers, blanking Columbus for 7.2 innings on 7 hits and no walks while striking out 7. Columbus scored a run in the 9th, but the Indians held on to win 2-1. Five nights later in Columbus, McCutchen continued his domination of the Clippers with 6.0 shutout frames. He gave up just 5 hits and struck out 5 for his 12th victory of the season, 2nd only to Justin Lehr of Louisville (13). McCutchen has gone at least 6.0 innings in each of his last seven starts (5-1), and has a 1.35 ERA so far in August.
26-year-old Daniel McCutchen is in his second season at the Triple-A level. He was selected by the Yankees in the 13th round of the 2006 draft, and last year he was 4-6 with a 3.58 ERA for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre when he was traded to Pittsburgh on July 27 as part of the deal for Xavier Nady. McCutchen is a native of McKinney, Texas.
International League Stories from August 17, 2009
- Indianapolis falls short to Louisville, 7-6 - Indianapolis Indians
- Knights Ride Out the Tide - Charlotte Knights
- Yanks hammer Bulls, 9-3 - Durham Bulls
- Homers lead Bats to 7-6 victory over Indians - Louisville Bats
- Clippers' new home, big hit for Columbus - OSC Original by Marc Viquez
- McCutchen Named IL Pitcher of the Week - Indianapolis Indians
- Bisons Game Notes August 17th - Buffalo Bisons
- G-Braves Playoff Dates Announced - Gwinnett Stripers
- Bisons Announce 2010 Schedule - Buffalo Bisons
- Lehigh Valley's Taylor and Indianapolis' McCutchen Named IL Players of the Week - IL1
- Mets Select Contract of INF Andy Green - Buffalo Bisons
- G-Braves and GMC Step up to the Plate for Kids - Gwinnett Stripers
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