Sports stats



IL1 International League

International League News and Notes

March 24, 2005 - International League (IL1) News Release


BUFFALO BISONS
SOLID PITCHERS SET TO RETURN: The Bisons could have an extremely strong starting rotation once the 2005 season begins. Pitchers Kyle Denney (10-5, 4.41ERA in 2004) and Francisco Cruceta (6-5, 3.25ERA in 2004) were optioned to the Herd on Sunday while Fausto Carmona (2-0, 2.77ERA in 2004 playoffs) was optioned last week. Kenny Rayborn (8-2, 3.64ERA in 2004) is also in minor league camp. Relievers Jake Robbins (6-1, 3.20ERA in 2004) and Fernando Cabrera (4-3, 3.79ERA in 2004) have also been optioned to the Bisons by the Cleveland Indians.

GUTHRIE WINS SPRING DEBUT WITH BISONS: Pitcher Jeremy Guthrie pitched five solid innings to help the Bisons to their first spring victory, 7-3 over Round Rock on Tuesday, March 22. He allowed just two runs on three hits while striking out a pair of Express batters. Guthrie was the Cleveland Indians #2 prospect by Baseball America in 2003 but made only four starts for the Bisons in 2004 before being sent to Double-A Akron.

SPRING TRAINING UPDATE: The Bisons are 1-2-2 in five games so far this spring. Catcher Ryan Garko, named USA Today's Indians Minor League Player of the Year last season, leads all Bisons hitters with a .714 (5-7) average. Infielder Joe Inglett is hitting .500 (5-10) with a double and two RBI while outfielder Jason Cooper has a team-high three doubles to go along with a .300 average (3-10). Pitcher Fausto Carmona was extremely sharp in his spring start, allowing just one run on three hits in five innings (6K) in a no-decision.


CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS
KNIGHTSFEST GIVES FANS FIRST LOOK: Free of charge and open to the public, KNIGHTSFEST gives fans their first chance to buy individual game tickets or to pick up their season packages, while also providing a day full of fun and excitement. Joining the Knights on April 2nd will be The Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest. The Principal Financial Group will bring over 20 midway-style attractions to Knights Stadium and will be set up next to the ballpark, including batting cages, radar gun pitching challenge, steal home bungee run, giant "side by side" super slide, a video game trailer and much more. They will also bring a museum featuring Minor League Baseball memorabilia, props from classic baseball movies, and historical baseball footage and photographs. KNIGHTSFEST will also provide an audition opportunity for anyone wishing to sing the National Anthem during the 2005 season. Auditions will take place from 10-Noon on the concourse. Members of the Knights staff will also provide fans with a behind the scenes look at Knight's Stadium by having full-guided tours during selected periods of the day. Fans will also have the opportunity to step into the batting cage on the field for live batting practice, which will take place from Noon-1:30.


COLUMBUS CLIPPERS
MEET THE FIELD STAFF: Bucky Dent will serve as manager of the Columbus Clippers for the third consecutive season and 6th overall. In 2004, Bucky led the Clippers to an 80-64 record and a first place finish in the IL West. Dent has managed in 700 games at Columbus, posting a 366-334 (.522) record. The 366 wins are second most on the Clippers all-time wins list behind Stump Merrill who has 608. Dent's playing career was spent with the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, and Kansas City Royals. The former World Series MVP has also managed at Class-A Fort Lauderdale, Triple-A Omaha, and the New York Yankees.

Columbus' hometown hero Frank "Hondo" Howard will join this year's coaching staff as the outfield coordinator and first base coach. Howard was born in Columbus in 1936 and is remembered as a basketball star at South High School and an All-American in both baseball and basketball at The Ohio State University. The 1960 National League Rookie of the Year went on to post 382 HR and a .273 batting average for his career. An interim-manager for Columbus in 2002, Howard also managed the San Diego Padres and New York Mets.

Gil Patterson is entering his first season as Pitching Coach of the Clippers after spending the past four seasons in Toronto, the final two years serving as the Blue Jays pitching coach. Once a top pitching prospect of the Yankees, eight arm operations appeared in only 10 big league games, going 1-2 with a 5.45 ERA. Since 1984, he has coached in the Oakland, Arizona, Toronto, and now the New York Yankees organizations.

Kevin Long enters his second season as hitting coach with the Clippers. Long has previously served as the hitting coach for the Omaha Royals, and the Wichita Wranglers. Long managed the Spokane Indians to the Northwest League title in 1999 and was named co-Manager of the Year.

Darren London is in his 13th season as the trainer for the Clippers and his 15th in the Yankees organization. He began his career in 1989 as the trainer for Class A Prince William. He was named the trainer at Class A Ft. Lauderdale in 1991 and moved to Double-A Albany in 1992. Darren replaced Mike Heifferon as the Clippers' trainer prior to the 1993 season.





DURHAM BULLS
SANCHEZ BACK: OF Alex Sanchez, who in 2000 set the Bulls Triple-A record for stolen bases with 52, is back with the Devil Rays organization. Sanchez, who Tampa Bay signed to a minor-league contract after being released by Detroit, is expected to begin the 2005 season with the Devil Rays. Sanchez, who went 5-for-10 in his first three spring training games with Tampa, was signed after Danny Bautista's unexpected retirement over the weekend.

PLENTY OF PROSPECTS: It's not expected that Bautista's retirement will open up an opportunity for Bulls prospects. SS B.J. Upton, who last year made his MLB debut at 19, is expected to at least start this season with the Bulls. OF Jonny Gomes, who hit 26 homers last year in his first full Triple-A season, is expected to return to Durham. Gomes followed his first Triple-A season by belting another 17 HR in the Mexican League last winter. OF Joey Gathright, who stole 33 bases in only 60 games with Durham, is also expected to be in the Bull City. In addition, Chad Orvella, who pitched effectively with all four of Tampa's full-season clubs, should begin 2005 in the Durham bullpen. Orvella played his college ball at nearby N.C. State, and was primarily a shortstop for the Wolfpack. Upton was widely considered baseball's top minor league prospect in 2004, while Gomes, Gathright, Gomes and Orvella are rated among Tampa Bay's top 15 prospects by Baseball America.

PITCHING POSSIBILITIES: Tampa Bay is expected to reduce the number of players in major league camp from 38 to 31 or 32 today, which will help clarify who may end up in Durham. Up to 17 pitchers still are competing for 12 spots. Among those not in line for those major league spots who have a good chance to begin 2005 with the Bulls are: Chris Brock, Jimmy Haynes, Jim Magrane, Jason Phillips, Jason Roach and John Webb, all of whom have started, as well as Matt Carnes, Tim Corcoran, and Chad Orvella, who are all primarily relievers.


INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
SPRING TRAINING GAMES UNDERWAY: The Indians are off to a 1-3 start in 2005 Spring Training, knocking off Louisville (7-0) while suffering setbacks to Pawtucket (2-1), Louisville (5-2) and Rochester (4-2). The 12-game preseason slate continues Friday, March 25, when the Tribe and Louisville square off in Sarasota, Fla., at 1 p.m.

REGULAR SEASON APPROACHING FAST: Indianapolis will kick off its 2005 slate April 7 when the Pawtucket Red Sox visit Victory Field for a 2 p.m. tilt. The Tribe will do battle with Boston's Triple-A affiliate Thursday at 2 p.m., Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. The eight-game homestand will continue April 11-14 with a four-game set against the Ottawa Lynx. The Indians will then hit the road for eight straight, beginning with a four-game series at Norfolk.

PITTSBURGH OPTIONS EIGHT TO INDY: Pittsburgh continues to wheel and deal as Spring Training starts to wind down and the players gear up for the regular season. Through March 24, the Pirates have re-assigned a total of 14 players to Minor League Camp, while eight others have been optioned to Indianapolis. The list of players who have already been optioned to Indy includes: INF Jose Bautista, RHP Bobby Bradley, RHP Ian Snell (all optioned 3/20), 1B Brad Eldred, OF Nate McLouth, RHP Jeff Miller, C Ronny Paulino and LHP Cory Stewart (all optioned 3/13). More roster moves are expected in the coming week.


LOUISVILLE BATS
BATS OPEN SPRING SCHEDULE: Louisville opened their spring schedule last week and has gone 1-3-1 in their first five games. The lone win came March 21 versus Indianapolis in a game where outfielders Stephen Smitherman and Pedro Swann both hit home runs to lead the Bats. Louisville tied Pawtucket with Cincinnati opening day pitcher Paul Wilson starting the game for the Bats and allowing five runs in six innings. The three losses have come at the hands of Ottawa twice and Indy.

SPRING CUTS: With one more round of cuts still due in big league camp, Cincinnati is shoring up their 25-man roster. Matt Belisle, Jeriome Robertson, Jose Acevedo, Todd Coffey and Joe Valentine are still in Major League camp competing for bullpen spots. OF Rob Stratton who hit .323 with a team-leading four home runs and 10 RBI in spring training was sent to Triple-A this week after a break through spring that saw him compete for the 25th roster spot in Cincinnati. Another surprise cut was Ricky Stone, who had a shot to make the big league club since he has ML experience and went 9-7 with a 3.65 ERA in two seasons with Houston. Brian Shackelford, Dane Sardinha, Edwin Encarnacion and Randy Keisler have all been reassigned to Minor League camp. Still in the mix for the few last roster spots are Jason Romano, Jacob Cruz, Bobby Estalella, Javier Valentin and Luis Lopez.

EXHIBITION BLITZ: The Bats are hosting their second exhibition game at Slugger Field next Saturday, April 2 when the Reds take on the Toronto Blue Jays. It is the Reds last game before opening the season in Cincinnati vs. the New York Mets. The Bats open at home the following week with an 8-game homestand vs. Ottawa and Pawtucket.


NORFOLK TIDES
GINTER GLOWING IN FLORIDA SUN: With the new addition of Kaz Ishii, the Mets rotation looks to be set in stone, as Pedro Martinez, Tom Glavine, Kris Benson, Ishii, and Victor Zambrano will most likely start the season in New York. However, right-hander Matt Ginter is doing everything he can to make it interesting. Ginter has not allowed an earned run in four games pitched this spring, allowing just eight hits in 11 innings pitched. The 27-year-old started 14 games for the Mets in 2004, going 1-3 with a 4.54 ERA in 69.1 innings.

NATIONAL ANTHEM AUDITIONS TO BE HELD APRIL 2: The Tides will be holding auditions April 2nd from 10 am - 12 pm at the Greenbrier Mall in Virginia Beach for those wishing to perform the National Anthem before a Tides game this season. The auditions will be limited to the first 65 people, and sign-ups will begin at 9 am the day of the audition at the center court of the mall. The Tides staff will hear each performance, judge, and later evaluate each singer. Those who pass will receive callbacks to audition, live, on-field at Harbor Park. Singers will audition in a first come, first sing basis. Sign-ups for singing will begin at 9 am on the day of auditions.
OTTAWA LYNX
LYNX ATTACK FIRST: The Lynx won their spring training season-opener last Friday. Ottawa defeated the Louisville Bats 5-3 in Sarasota, FL. The squad overcame a 9th inning deficit when 1B Walter Young belted a home run to put them ahead. After playing to a 2-2 tie against the Rochester Red Wings on Saturday, the Lynx went on to defeat the Bats again, 4-2 on Tuesday. RHP John Maine started for the Lynx and gave up one run in 3.0 IP. INF Joey Hammond had an RBI single. Undefeated in their first 3 games, the Lynx were rained out yesterday.

EDDY AND THE RAKERS TO PLAY AT LYNX STADIUM: The Orioles announced on Sunday that they optioned RHP Eddy Rodriguez and RHP Aaron Rakers (Rock-ers) to the Ottawa Lynx. In 4.2 IP with the Orioles this spring, Rakers had given up 3 ER on 8 hits. Rodriguez had worked 1.2 IP and had allowed 1 ER on 3 hits. Both pitchers are expected to play major roles out of the Lynx bullpen this season. One of the Orioles' top pitching prospects, RHP John Maine, was optioned to the Lynx along with three others on March 14th. The group consists of several players that are expected to have a strong impact with the club this season. Included are, 1B Walter Young, C Eli Whiteside, and RHP Jacobo Sequea. Maine led the Lynx in starts (22) last season, and posted a 5-7 record with a 3.91 ERA. Young, 25, had a huge season last year at Double-A Bowie, setting a franchise record for home runs (33). Eli Whiteside set career highs in 2004, with 18 HR and 60 RBI in only 90 games at Double-A. Sequea also set a franchise record last season at Bowie when he recorded 27 saves for the Baysox.

REPORT FROM SICK BAY: The Lynx opening day roster might take a different look to start the year, after a three injuries in camp. INF Chris Stynes shattered his left tibia after fouling a pitch off of his shin in a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins. Stynes, who was competing for a utility infield spot with the O's, could have seen time at third base for the Lynx this season. The 32-year old suffered multiple fractures of the tibia, and will likely miss the entire 2005 campaign. RHP Kurt Ainsworth learned that he had a torn labrum in his pitching shoulder. The 26-year old will begin a throwing program and is expected to miss 6 weeks and could miss the entire season if surgery is necessary. On Monday, OF Midre Cummings broke his right ring finger when he crashed into a wall trying to make a catch, and will miss 4-to-6 weeks. Cummings, an IL All-Star last year, was expected to start the season with Ottawa.

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE: Individual game tickets for the 2005 Ottawa Lynx baseball season will go on sale Monday, March 28 at 10:00 a.m. Tickets will be available to fans by stopping by the Lynx Stadium box office or by contacting Ticketmaster.


PAWTUCKET RED SOX
WORLD SERIES TROPHY TO APPEAR AT MCCOY STADIUM APRIL 17: After 86 years the Boston Red Sox finally own it. And like the good big brothers that they are, the Red Sox have agreed to share it with their closest family members – the PawSox. The World Series trophy, along with the "final out" baseball, will be making a special guest appearance at McCoy Stadium on Sunday, April 17 when the PawSox host the Buffalo Bisons at 1:05 pm. The trophy will be on display from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm inside McCoy. The baseball, caught by Red Sox 1B Doug Mientkiewicz for the final out of the series-clinching win in St. Louis, will also be on display as Mientkiewicz has "loaned" the ball to the Red Sox for this season's victory tour.

PAWSOX "WELCOME HOME LUNCHEON" SLATED FOR APRIL 6: The Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce once again this season invite all PawSox fans to the Annual Pawtucket Red Sox "Welcome Home" Luncheon that will be held on Tuesday, April 6th at 12:00 Noon at Kirkbrae Country Club in Lincoln, RI. The entire 2005 PawSox team will be in attendance just hours before they fly out to Indianapolis where they will open the 2005 season the next day. New PawSox manager Ron Johnson will be the featured guest speaker. Comedian Jack Daly will provide the entertainment. Wise guys may say that Johnson is the comedian, but since he has not lost a game in his PawSox career we will not make that connection – yet. Tickets are $35 per person and can be obtained by calling the Chamber's Registration Hotline at (401) 334-1000 XT150. Fans can also register on-line at www.nrichamber.com.

BYE-BYE TO YOU ADAM HYZDU: The Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night traded 2004 PawSox Player-of-the-Year OF Adam Hyzdu to the San Diego Padres for right-handed pitcher Blaine Neal. Senior Vice President/General Manager Theo Epstein made the announcement from the club's Spring Training camp in Fort Myers. Neal, who will turn 26 on April 6, has made 94 career major league relief appearances for the Marlins (2001-2003) and Padres (2004), posting a 4-1 record and a 4.62 ERA. He is 23-14 with 73 saves and a 2.61 ERA in 234 career minor league appearances (229 in relief). Beginning his 16th professional season, Hyzdu (High-z-doo) was selected as an International League All-Star and PawSox Player of the Year last season after batting .301 with 29 homers, 79 RBI and 92 runs scored in 129 games for the PawSox. The popular 33-year-old veteran was a September call-up to Boston and was on hand when the Red Sox captured the 2004 World Series championship. Adam has hit .233 with 19 homers and 57 RBI in 190 career major league games with the Pirates (2000-2003) and Red Sox (2004).


RICHMOND BRAVES
STRONG SPRING STARTS: Jonathan Schuerholz, the son of Atlanta General Manager John Schuerholz, is off to a solid start in Richmond's camp. He has hits in three straight games, a home run, an three RBI. Tony Pena, Jr, son of Kansas City Royals manager Tony Pena, has hits in six straight at bats for Richmond. He is 7-9 in three R-Braves preseason games. Carlos Mendez, who played in Ottawa last season, has hits in all four R-Braves preseason games and leads the club with four RBI.

MAKING A BID FOR THE BIG LEAGUES: Wilson Betemit, a Richmond Brave the past three seasons, is hitting .298 for Atlanta with three home runs, two against the Mets in a game Tuesday. Betemit and Pete Orr, who hit .320 for Richmond last season, are battling for one open utility infield job in Atlanta. Buddy Hernandez, who pitched 10 scoreless innings in the Governors' Cup Playoffs last year, continues to make a strong bid for a job in Atlanta's bullpen. He has a 1.17 ERA in six spring training outings.



ROCHESTER RED WINGS
STARTING ROTATION NEARS COMPLETION: The Red Wings look to have a very good starting rotation to start the season. LHP Dave Gassner, who led the IL in wins with 16 last season, along with the Twins Minor League Pitcher of the Year Scott Baker were sent down after Wednesday's Twins/Blue Jays game. Gassner and Baker join RHP J.D. Durbin, who had 13 strikeouts in his Triple-A debut last season, and RHP Boof Bonser. RHP Matt Guerrier, who was 4th in the IL in ERA last year, should complete the rotation when Minnesota trims its roster to the Major League max of 25 sometime in the next 10 days.

WINGS ARE 2-1-1 SO FAR THIS SPRING: The Red Wings are in the midst of a 14-game spring training schedule that will conclude when Rochester heads north on April 5. Rochester recorded their second win of the spring Wednesday when they defeated Pawtucket 2-1 in a rain-shortened 6 1/2 inning affair.

WHO's HOT: First baseman Garrett Jones, who had 30 home runs for Double-A New Britain last season, is having a good minor league camp. Jones is batting .421 (8-for-19) with two doubles, one home run and five RBI. RHP Bud Smith, who pitched a no-hitter for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2001, is making a push to make the Red Wings bullpen. Smith, who is recovering from major arm problems, hasn't allowed a run in two appearances.


SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE
ROSTER TAKING SHAPE: The Red Barons opening day roster is beginning to take shape. In the past 10 days the Phillies have sent 11 players back to minor league camp who figure to open with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. They are: P Geoff Geary, P Dan Giese, P Eude Brito, P Robinson Tejada, P Keith Bucktrot, 3B/C Chris Coste, SS Danny Sandoval, C Carlos Ruiz, 3B Juan Richardson, OF John Castellano and OF Jorge Padilla.

STILL IN CAMP: Several players who may wind up with the team are still battling for a few final spots with the Phillies. Heading the list are top prospects Gavin Floyd and Ryan Howard. Floyd seems to have the best shot of sticking with the big club thanks to an injury to Vicente Padilla. In four spring starts, Floyd is 2-0 with a solid 3.18 ERA - the 2nd best starters ERA behind Jon Lieber's 3.00. Howard, the 2004 minor league home run champ, is also doing well but is blocked by Jim Thome at first base. In 17 games, he is batting .405 with 3 HR and 29 RBI. Also still in camp are AJ Hinch (.214, 2, 4), Tony Medrano (.143, 0, 3), Mark Budzinski (.250, 0, 2), Jim Rushford (.313, 0, 3), Mike Bacsik (0-1, 7.00) and Clay Condrey (1-0, 0.00).


SYRACUSE SKYCHIEFS
ROSTER MOVES: The SkyChiefs roster is beginning to take shape as the Blue Jays began making cuts this past week. C Guillermo Quiroz, IF Eric Crozier, OF John Ford-Griffin and P Jesse Carlson, Spike Lundberg, Fransisco Rosario, Jason Arnold and Michael Nannini have all joined the Syracuse squad.

SO FAR, SO GOOD: Not only did the Blue Jays convert a starter into their closer in the big leagues, they are trying the same experiment in Triple-A with Jason Arnold. Arnold, a starter the past two seasons in Syracuse, has been closing since being optioned to Syracuse and has saved the last two games not allowing a run.

SKYCHIEFS REBOUNDING: After a 1-2 start to the spring schedule, Syracuse has rebounded to win their last two to improve to 3-2. Outfielder Justin Singleton, son of former Major Leaguer, Ken Singleton, has been a big part of the turnaround with two hits in each of the last two games. The Syracuse bullpen has been solid giving up just one run in the last two games in 12 1/3 innings of work and has combined to strike out 15 opponents while walking just two.


TOLEDO MUD HENS
IT WILL BE GRAND TO SEE HIM ROAM CENTERFIELD: Mud Hens fans will get their first look at Detroit's #1 prospect, Curtis Granderson, in centerfield this season. The 6'1" 180 lb. Blue Island, IL native was selected in the third round of the June 2002 draft. In nine games with Detroit last season he recorded six hits. Granderson is a career .303 hitter in the minor leagues. He spent most of the 2004 season at Double-A Erie compiling a .405 on-base percentage in 123 games. From May 28-August 30, of last year, Granderson reached base safely in 70 of 72 games.

NOOK TRYING TO FIND NICHE: Two former Hens will be battling it out for the right to man centerfield at Comerica Park in 2005. Nook Logan and Craig Monroe are the top two candidates for the centerfield job. While Monroe is the odds-on favorite, Logan donned a Tiger's uniform in 47 games last season. Logan batted .278 for Detroit in 2004 while stealing eight bases. In 547 minor league games, Logan has swiped 219 bases. His exceptional speed could pay dividends in the Detroit centerfield. This opening was provided when Detroit released Alex Sanchez last week.

HENS HAVE FRESH FACES UP THE MIDDLE: Ryan Raburn and Gookie Dawkins will be turning double plays for the Hens this season. They will be replacing the double-play tandem of Warren Morris and Danny Klassen. Morris and Klassen were the men in the middle for the Hens for the 2003 and 2004 campaigns. Raburn has been tagged as Detroit's #8 prospect, hitting .301 with 16 HR in 98 games for Double-A Erie in 2004. Dawkins hit .329 for Triple-A Iowa last season and formerly played for the Cincinnati Reds.

Check out the International League Statistics



International League Stories from March 24, 2005


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.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central