Sports stats



IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Bixler, Diaz and Hacker Recieve Big League Promotions

September 9, 2009 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Indians utiltyman Brian Bixler and catcher Robinzon Diaz as well as starting pitcher Eric Hacker have each been promoted to the Pittsburgh Pirates. This marks Hacker's first call-up of his professional career, while Bixler and Diaz played with the Pirates earlier this season.

Bixler will be joining the Pirates for the third time this season, having played in 13 games for Pittsburgh. The 27-year-old holds a .212 average (7-for-33) with four runs, five doubles and two RBI in those 13 contests with the Pirates this season.

The right handed slugger made his first Major League appearance last season with Pittsburgh when he was promoted in April and was again recalled in September. He hit .157 (17-for-108) with 16 runs and two RBI in 50 games with the Pirates in 2008.

The Sandusky, Ohio native has spent all six of his professional seasons with the Pittsburgh organization after they drafted him out of Eastern Michigan University in the second round of the 2004 draft. Bixler played in 108 games for the Indians this season and ranked among the International League leaders in triples (T-2nd, 8) and runs (T-7th, 71), while he also batted .275 (111-for-403) with nine home runs, 43 RBI, and 13 stolen bases.

Diaz will also be returning to the Pirates after being recalled originally on April 21. In 31 games from April 21 to July 16, he hit .295 (33-for-112) with nine runs, six doubles, one home run and 18 RBI.

The right handed slugger made his Major League debut last season as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays where he went 0-for-4 in just one game before he was traded for former Pirates INF Jose Bautista on August 25. Diaz then played in two games for Pittsburgh where he recorded three hits in six at-bats (.500) with one RBI and one stolen base.

The 25-year-old appeared in 44 contests for the Tribe this season posting a .262 average (39-for-149) with 18 runs, three home runs, and 15 RBI. Diaz entered the season playing most all of his professional career at catcher, but became a utiltyman for the Indians playing catcher along with starts at left field, right field, third base and first base.

Hacker will be making his first ever trip at the Major League level in what is his first year with the Pittsburgh organization. On May 16 of this season Hacker was acquired from the New York Yankees organization, where he spent his first eight professional seasons, in a trade for reliever Romulo Sanchez.

The right handed hurler went 0-1 with a 7.88 ERA (14 ER in 16.0 IP) with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before joining Indianapolis after the trade. With the Tribe Hacker posted a 5-5 record with a 4.02 ERA (52 ER in 116.1 IP) and was also named the International League Pitcher of the Week for the period of August 3-9 when he went 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA (3 ER in 13.0 IP) and 14 strikeouts in two starts.

Visit IndyIndians.com for the 2010 Early Bird Schedule and 2010 season ticket information.

Check out the Indianapolis Indians Statistics



International League Stories from September 9, 2009


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.

Other Recent Indianapolis Indians Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central