Barnstormers Sign Two Players To Help Playoff Push
September 2, 2009 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release
LANCASTER, Pa. - The Lancaster Barnstormers are making a push for a playoff spot and they've added two players to aid the cause. The team has signed outfielder/first baseman Jason Cooper and pitcher Reymond Cruz as it gears up for the September stretch run.
Cooper, 28, spent most of the season with St. Paul of the independent American Association, where he batted .288 with 11 homers and 44 RBIs in 54 games. The 6-2, 220-pound left-handed hitter was a third-round draft pick by the Cleveland Indians in 2002. He spent most of the past four seasons at Triple-A Buffalo prior to being released by the Indians earlier this year.
Cruz, 26, comes to the Barnstormers via the independent United League. The 6-2, 170-pound righthander made 15 starts for Rio Grande, posting a 6-6 record and 4.15 ERA. He held opponents to a .256 batting average and recorded 78 strikeouts in 104 innings. Cruz was in the Phillies' minor-league system from 2004-08, topping out at Single-A Clearwater.
Both Cooper and Cruz were available after the seasons ended for their teams in their respective independent leagues. The Barnstormers, however, are going strong. They've won six games in a row to vault themselves into the wild-card hunt. As it stands today, Lancaster is five games behind Newark for the final postseason berth in the Atlantic League.
"We're certainly still in the race," said Barnstormers vice president of baseball operations Keith Lupton. "Some teams have players available because they're out of contention and we're trying to take advantage of it. We're trying to make a push for the playoffs."
Cooper will be activated before the Barnstormers play at the Bridgeport Bluefish tonight. Cruz is expected to be activated prior to Friday night's home game against the Long Island Ducks.
The Barnstormers have 11 home games in September, including a six-game homestand against Long Island and the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs beginning Friday. The Friday and Saturday games this weekend have post-game fireworks. Tickets are still available for all games at www.lancasterbarnstormers.com, by calling 717-509-HITS or by visiting the stadium box office during regular business hours.
Atlantic League Stories from September 2, 2009
- Reichert Snaps Lancaster Streak - Lancaster Stormers
- Riversharks Defeat Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, 4-2 - Camden Riversharks
- Somerset kept the Ducks' bats at bay - Long Island Ducks
- Barnstormers Sign Two Players To Help Playoff Push - Lancaster Stormers
- Somerset Patriots To Host Darrin Winston Tribute Night - Somerset Patriots
- Game Tonight! - Winning Inning Wednesday - Bridgeport Bluefish
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