IL1 International League

Governors' Cup Playoffs Begin Tonight

September 5, 2012 - International League (IL1) News Release


The International League postseason begins tonight at 7:05 p.m. eastern as four clubs battle for the 2012 Governors' Cup title. The Triple-A Red Sox and Yankees begin their first round series this evening in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The recently crowned Wild Card winners square off with the champions of the North Division. Despite not playing in their home ballpark all season, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees bested the PawSox by 5.0 games to win the North for the first time since 2010. All home postseason games for the Yankees will be played at Rochester's Frontier Field. The two clubs met in Pawtucket over the last four days of the regular season, splitting the final series 2-2.

Meanwhile, the IL's other first round playoff series will get underway 920 miles to the west in central Indiana. The South Division champion Charlotte Knights will invade Victory Field for a showdown with the West Division champion Indianapolis Indians. The matchup of the top two pitching staffs in the International League also pits two teams against each other making their first playoff appearance in six seasons. Four of the eight games between the Indians and Knights this year were decided by one run. The winner of this series will have the opportunity to clinch the Governors' Cup championship at home during the finals, which will conclude in either Indianapolis or Charlotte.

Governors' Cup Trophy to be Awarded for 80th Time

When Frank "Shag" Shaughnessy introduced his playoff system to the IL in 1933, the Governors' Cup was born. Sponsored by the Governors of New York, New Jersey, and Maryland, as well as the Lieutenant Governors of the Canadian Provinces of Quebec and Ontario, the trophy known as the Governors' Cup has been awarded to the International League's postseason champion in each of the 79 years since. The original Governors' Cup now resides at the National Baseball Hall of Fame, while a new trophy has been in circulation since 1988. Three of this year's four contenders are seeking the franchise's third Governors' Cup, while Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (the most recent champion of the group) chases its second title in club history.

Meet the Governors' Cup Contenders

Charlotte Knights IL SOUTH CHAMPIONS

The Charlotte Knights won the South Division by a comfortable 9.0-game margin this season. Joel Skinner's club now has an opportunity to advance to the Gildan Triple-A National Championship Game in Durham, North Carolina, which is closer to the team's home (and fan base) than any previous Championship Game participant has enjoyed. With 83 victories this season, the Knights finished with their 2nd-highest win total in franchise history. Charlotte pitchers have a combined ERA under 3.00 since the beginning of August, but over the same period Charlotte hitters have turned in a combined batting average below .245.

Indianapolis Indians IL WEST CHAMPIONS

The best regular season record in Triple-A Baseball in 2012 belonged to the 89-55 Indianapolis Indians. Dean Treanor's club produced the winningest season for the Tribe since the opening of Victory Field in 1996 when the team was a member of the American Association. As a result, Indianapolis coasted to the West Division title by 14.0 games to win its first outright division flag since 2001. The Indians pitching staff limited opponents to the fewest number of runs and tossed the most shutouts of any IL club this season. The Indians struggled in close games however. Their 20-22 mark in one-run affairs is the worst of the four Governors' Cup contenders.

Pawtucket Red Sox WILD CARD WINNERS

The last team to earn a postseason berth was Pawtucket, who finally clinched the Wild Card race this past Saturday. In his second year at the helm, Arnie Beyeler became just the third manager in PawSox history to guide the club to consecutive playoff appearances (Joe Morgan 1977-78; Ed Nottle 1986-87). Pawtucket had to fight off a familiar nemesis, Lehigh Valley, whom they narrowly defeated for the division crown in 2011 only to be swept by the IronPigs in the first round of the postseason. It's been nine years since Pawtucket last won a playoff series (the 2003 club defeated Ottawa in the first round). The PawSox are 19-16 versus SWB under Beyeler.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees IL NORTH CHAMPIONS

IL Manager of the Year Dave Miley led the Yankees to the North Division flag despite not having a true home ballpark in 2012. While PNC Field undergoes a major renovation this season, the team was unofficially dubbed the "Empire State Yankees" and played its home games in six different cities. Frontier Field in Rochester will serve as the club's home facility for the entire postseason beginning with Game 3 of the first round on Friday. The Yankees finished the regular season as arguably the hottest team in the League. Their 22 wins in August were the most for any club in a single month all season. SWB also owns the IL's best team fielding percentage (.983).

2012 Governors' Cup Playoffs

Charlotte Knights vs. Indianapolis Indians

Charlotte won Season Series 5-3

Game One: Wednesday, September 5 @ Victory Field - 7:05 p.m.

Game Two: Thursday, September 6 @ Victory Field - 7:05 p.m.

Game Three: Friday, September 7 @ Knights Stadium - 7:15 p.m. Game Four: Saturday, September 8 @ Knights Stadium - 7:15 p.m. *

Game Five: Sunday, September 9 @ Knights Stadium - 2:15 p.m. *

* denotes "if necessary" - - - all games available on

Playoff History - Charlotte and Indianapolis have never met in the IL postseason.

CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS (83-61) INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS (89-55)

Manager: Joel Skinner (1st season with Knights) Manager: Dean Treanor (2nd season as Indians mgr.)

Affiliate: Chicago White Sox Affiliate: Pittsburgh Pirates

Qualified: South Division Champion (+9.0) Qualified: West Division Champion (+14.0)

Last Time in Playoffs: 2006 Last Time in Playoffs: 2006

Gov. Cup Playoff Record: 5 yrs. / 15-15 (.500) Gov. Cup Playoff Record: 4 yrs. / 17-13 (.567)

Last Governors' Cup: 1999 Last Governors' Cup: 2000

Probable Starting Pitchers: Probable Starting Pitchers:

G1: LH Charlie Leesman (12-10, 2.47 ERA) G1: RH Rick VandenHurk (13-5, 2.92 ERA)

G2: RH Charlie Shirek (11-5, 3.65 ERA) G2: RH Gerrit Cole (1-0, 4.50 ERA)

G3: RH Scott Carroll (4-6, 4.74 ERA) G3: To Be Determined

G4: To Be Determined G4: To Be Determined

G5: To Be Determined G5: To Be Determined

Knights 2012 Team Statistics & Rankings: Indians 2012 Team Statistics & Rankings:

Runs Scored: 626 (7th) Runs Scored: 662 (3rd)

Batting Average: .254 (9th) Batting Average: .260 (5th)

Home Runs: 105 (9th) Home Runs: 91 (12th)

Stolen Bases: 84 (10th) Stolen Bases: 123 (3rd)

Runs Allowed: 524 (2nd) Runs Allowed: 500 (1st)

ERA: 3.15 (2nd) ERA: 3.15 (1st)

Strikeouts: 1,111 (3rd) Strikeouts: 1,123 (2nd)

Shutouts: 13 (3rd) Shutouts: 16 (1st)

Players to Watch: Players to Watch:

OF Greg Golson 3B Dallas McPherson

Led Knights with 29 doubles, 7 triples, and 20 steals. 12 of his 17 HR came earlier this season with Knights.

1B Seth Loman RHP Tim Wood

Slugged 16 HR with 58 RBI for Double-A Birmingham. First back-to-back All-Star reliever 2nd in IL with 21 saves.

RHP Jhan Marinez OF Matt Curry

Went 2-0 with 4 saves, 0.00 ERA in nine August games. Recent addition led Double-A club with 76 RBI this season.

LHP Charlie Leesman OF Brandon Boggs

Game 1 starter has 2.10 ERA on the road this season. Tied for Tribe lead with 64 runs scored this season.

C Josh Phegley RHP Rick VandenHurk

All-Star catcher hit .304 with 5 HR and 15 RBI in August. Indy's MVP tied for 2nd in the League with 13 victories.

2012 Governors' Cup Playoffs

Scranton/WB Yankees vs. Pawtucket Red Sox

Pawtucket won Season Series 9-7

Game One: Wednesday, September 5 @ McCoy Stadium - 7:05 p.m.

Game Two: Thursday, September 6 @ McCoy Stadium - 7:05 p.m.

Game Three: Friday, September 7 @ Frontier Field (Rochester, NY) - 7:05 p.m. Game Four: Saturday, September 8 @ Frontier Field (Rochester, NY) - 7:05 p.m. *

Game Five: Sunday, September 9 @ Frontier Field (Rochester, NY) - 6:05 p.m. *

* denotes "if necessary" - - - all games available on

Playoff History - Scranton/WB d. Pawtucket (3-1) in 1992 Governors' Cup First Round

Scranton/WB d. Pawtucket (3-1) in 2008 Governors' Cup First Round

SCRANTON/WB YANKEES (84-60) PAWTUCKET RED SOX (79-65)

Manager: Dave Miley (6th season with SWB) Manager: Arnie Beyeler (2nd season with PawSox)

Affiliate: New York Yankees Affiliate: Boston Red Sox

Qualified: North Division Champion (+5.0) Qualified: Wild Card Winner (+3.5)

Last Time in Playoffs: 2010 Last Time in Playoffs: 2011

Gov. Cup Playoff Record: 10 yrs. / 27-32 (.458) Gov. Cup Playoff Record: 14 yrs. / 31-50 (.383)

Last Governors' Cup: 2008 Last Governors' Cup: 1984

Probable Starting Pitchers: Probable Starting Pitchers:

G1: RH John Maine (8-5, 4.97 ERA) G1: RH Zach Stewart (3-5, 3.94 ERA)

G2: RH Ramon Ortiz (13-6, 3.45 ERA) G2: LH Chris Hernandez (1-4, 3.59 ERA)

G3: LH Michael O'Connor (3-6, 3.73 ERA) G3: RH Billy Buckner (8-6, 3.91 ERA)

G4: To Be Determined G4: RH Nelson Figueroa (12-5, 3.89 ERA)

G5: To Be Determined G5: RH Steven Wright (0-1, 3.15 ERA)

Yankees 2012 Team Statistics & Rankings: PawSox 2012 Team Statistics & Rankings:

Runs Scored: 667 (2nd) Runs Scored: 654 (4th)

Batting Average: .260 (4th) Batting Average: .266 (3rd)

Home Runs: 128 (4th) Home Runs: 133 (2nd)

Stolen Bases: 101 (4th) Stolen Bases: 91 (6th)

Runs Allowed: 601 (6th) Runs Allowed: 553 (3rd)

ERA: 3.86 (6th) ERA: 3.43 (4th)

Strikeouts: 1,052 (6th) Strikeouts: 1,074 (4th)

Shutouts: 11 (T-6th) Shutouts: 10 (T-9th)

Players to Watch: Players to Watch:

OF Ronnier Mustelier 1B Andy LaRoche

.303 average in 89 games, 10 HR, 49 RBI, 7 SB. Veteran of over 400 MLB games with Dodgers, Pirates, A's.

LHP Juan Cedeno OF Che-Hsuan Lin

All-Star reliever unbeaten with 2.81 ERA in 53 games. Led Pawtucket in 2012 with 15 stolen bases (caught 4x).

2B/3B/OF Kevin Russo RHP Nelson Figueroa

Versatile veteran hit .284 at home and .284 on road. IL Pitcher of the Week; won clincher vs. SWB on 9/1.

2B Corban Joseph OF Jeremy Hazelbaker

Led International League with 26 RBI in August. Led Double-A Portland this season with 19 home runs.

RHP Ramon Ortiz RHP Billy Buckner

2nd in IL in wins, 9th in ERA; 86 career MLB victories. 4-0 in final four starts; 2-0 record vs. SWB this season.

@swbyankees

#swbquestforcup

@PawSox

#allPAWSondeck

@IndyIndians

#TribePride

@KnightsBaseball

#KnightFever

ALL-TIME GOVERNORS' CUP CHAMPIONSHIPS

10 Rochester 1939,1952,1955,1956,1964,1971,1974,1988,1990,1997

9 Columbus 1979,1980,1981,1987,1991,1992,1996,2010,2011

8 Syracuse 1935,1942,1943,1947,1954,1969,1970,1976

Montreal 1941,1946,1948,1949,1951,1953,1958

Buffalo 1933,1936,1957,1961,1998,2004

5 Richmond 1978,1986,1989,1994,2007

5 Tidewater 1972,1975,1982,1983,1985

Newark 1937,1938,1940,1945

4 Toronto 1934,1960,1965,1966

3 Durham 2002,2003,2009

3 Toledo 1967,2005,2006

2 Baltimore 1944,1950

2 Charlotte 1993,1999

2 Indianapolis 1963,2000

2 Pawtucket 1973,1984

1 Atlanta 1962

1 Charleston 1977

1 Havana 1959

1 Jacksonville 1968

1 Louisville 2001

1 Ottawa 1995

1 Scranton/WB 2008

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