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International League Names Players of the Week

April 30, 2012 - International League (IL1) News Release


The International League announced today that Columbus first baseman/outfielder Matt LaPorta and Indianapolis pitcher Justin Wilson have been named the League's Batter and Pitcher of the Week for the period from April 23-29. Each is the first from his respective club to win IL weekly honors in 2012.

MATT LAPORTA, Columbus Clippers IL BATTER OF THE WEEK

Matt LaPorta of Columbus had such a great week that not even his 0-4 performance Sunday kept him from leading the IL in several offensive categories. In addition to his two homers and eight RBI last week, LaPorta led the circuit with a .524 average, 11 hits, and a .952 slugging percentage. On Tuesday against Toledo, LaPorta banged out a season-high four hits including two doubles and a two-run homer. He also crushed a two-run blast on Friday night against Pawtucket, one which put that game out of reach as Columbus won 4-1. In all, LaPorta had four multi-hit games during the week, adding multiple RBI in three of them. For the season, LaPorta is now 4th in the International League with a .684 slugging percentage and is 7th with a .368 batting average.

27-year-old Matt LaPorta is in his sixth season as a professional player. He has 269 games of experience in the Major Leagues, all coming with the Cleveland Indians between 2009 and 2011. LaPorta is a native of Port Charlotte, Florida.

JUSTIN WILSON, Indianapolis Indians IL PITCHER OF THE WEEK

Left-handed pitcher Justin Wilson was part of history this week, though his start on Monday at Louisville may not have foretold what was to come. Wilson was a loser Monday, surrendering three runs in 5.0 innings in a game the Indians dropped 4-2. He entered his start Sunday at Durham with a 1-3 record, but proved to be unhittable as he masterfully blanked the Bulls into the 8th inning. Having surrendered no hits and just two walks on 107 pitches, Wilson was pulled with one out in the 8th inning. Fortunately, relievers Jose Diaz and Doug Slaten recorded the next five outs to complete the combined no-hitter. It was the first no-hitter thrown by Indianapolis pitchers since Ian Snell did it against Norfolk on May 15, 2005. It was just the second time in Wilson's career he made it into the 8th inning of a start. He struck out nine in this gem, giving him a League-best 14 punch-outs for the week.

24-year-old Justin Wilson is in his fourth season as a professional pitcher, having all come within the Pittsburgh organization. His first experience at the Triple-A level came in 2011 with the Indians, when he went 10-8 with a 4.13 ERA in 30 appearances (21 starts). Wilson is a native of Anaheim, California.

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