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IL1 Buffalo Bisons

Indians Option Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco to Buffalo

July 27, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Buffalo Bisons News Release


The Cleveland Indians today announced that they have optioned LHP Cliff Lee and OF Ben Francisco to the Buffalo Bisons. The Tribe also recalled RHP Edward Mujica from the Herd and designated INF Hector Luna for assignment.

Francisco began the season with the Herd but has been with the Indians since June 20. In 19 games with Cleveland, he hit .273 (12-44) with three home runs and seven RBI (8R, 3 2B). The Bisons 2006 Co-Most Valuable Player has hit .329 (79-240) with 18 doubles, six home runs, 34RBI and 15 stolen bases in 61 games with Buffalo this season. His average is seven plate appearances shy of qualifying first in the International League.

Lee has already seen action with the Herd this year. After beginning the season on the disabled list with an abdominal strain suffered in spring training, Lee made a rehabilitation start on April 21 in Buffalo. In that game, he allowed just two runs on four hits in four innings of work (BB, 4K).

Lee, who also rehabbed with Single-A Kinston and Double-A Akron, has been with the Indians since being activated on May 3. He was 5-8 with a 6.38ERA in 16 stats with the Tribe (91.2IP, 105H, 70R, 65ER, 35BB, 60K). He threw a complete game to beat the Angels on May 8 (3H, 1R, 1ER, 2BB, 2K) and went 3-0 with a 2.77ERA in four starts from June 13 - July 1 (26.0IP, 21H, 8R, 8ER, 8BB, 23K).

Lee also pitched for the Bisons in 2002 and 2003. He went 3-2 with a 3.77ERA in eight games in his first season with the Herd. In 2003, he went 6-1 with a 3.27ERA in 11 starts before earning his first promotion to the Major Leagues. The southpaw went 14-11 with a 4.40ERA in 33 starts with the Tribe in 2006. Over the last three seasons, he is 46-24 with a 4.50ERA in 98 starts with Cleveland.

Mujica was 2-1 with a 5.79ERA in 30 games with Buffalo (32.2IP, 34H, 22R, 21ER, 7BB, 36K). He led the team with 13 saves in 17 opportunities (76%). This is his third stint with the Indians this year.

Luna hit .251 (81-323) with six home runs and 35RBI in 83 games with Buffalo.

For more information, please contact the Bisons Media Relations Department at (716) 846-2019.

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