International League News and Notes

April 6, 2006 - International League (IL1) News Release

BUFFALO BISONS
LOVULLO ERA BEGINS: The Bisons will play their first game for manager Torey Lovullo this afternoon when they face Richmond. The Buffalo Baseball Hall of Famer takes over for Marty Brown, who is now the manager of the Hiroshima Carp of the Japan Central League. Lovullo played for the Bisons in 1995 and won back-to-back championships with Buffalo in 1997 and 1998. He has also won League championships and Manager of the Year honors in each of the past two seasons (2005 -Akron (AA), 2004 -Kinston(A)).

BACK WITH THE HERD: More than half of the Bisons 2006 Opening Day roster saw time with the team last season. The list includes infielders Ryan Garko, Jake Gautreau and Joe Inglett, outfielders Jason Cooper, Jason Dubois, Franklin Gutierrez and Ben Francisco and pitchers Fausto Carmona, Jeremy Guthrie, Andrew Brown, Jeremy Sowers, Dan Denham and Jason Stanford. The group accounted for 458 hits, 271 runs, 57 home runs, 252 RBI, 24 wins and 247 strikeouts thrown in 2005. The catching duo, Einar Diaz and Tim Laker, weren¡¦t with the Herd last season, but spent time earlier in their career with Buffalo. Diaz played 224 games with the Herd in 1997 and 1998, while Laker was with the Bisons for 148 games in 2000 and 2001.

FAMILIAR FIRST FOE: This is the second consecutive year the Bisons have opened up the season against the Richmond Braves. After a rainout on April 7, 2005, the two teams split an Opening Day doubleheader the following day at Dunn Tire Park. Richmond won the first game 5-4 before the Herd rebounded to take the night cap, 5-4, in eight innings. At least this year the Bisons won¡¦t have to worry about Andy Marte. The infielder who hit three home runs in that first series for Richmond against the Herd last year will start the 2006 season with Buffalo.

CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS
2006 ROSTER: The Charlotte Knights start the season with a roster of 12 pitchers, two catchers, six infielders, and four outfielders. 13 players spent at least part of the season in Birmingham (Haeger, Lubisich, Phillips, Reynoso, Tracey, Stewart, Fields, Gonzalez, Pedro Lopez, Rogowski, Blakely, Owens, Sweeney). 2 players spent at least part of the season in Charlotte (Pedro Lopez, Phillips) 11 players are new to the Charlotte Knights (Bentz, Farnsworth, Javier Lopez, Montero, Nomo, Randolph, Redding, Matos, Velandia, Young, Rivera).

SEVERE WEATHER ALERT ¡V THE TORNADO IS COMING: After spending time in Tampa Bay as the 5th starter in the rotation to start last season, Hideo Nomo was acquired by New York (AL) and assigned to Triple-A Columbus. Although never called up to join the Yankees in 2005, Nomo's resume has not been overlooked. His 1,802 strikeouts in the last nine seasons ranks fifth among active starters and he is one of four pitchers in Major League history to toss a no-hitter in both the American and National League. He is also the only pitcher ever to throw a no-hitter at Colorado's Coors Field. Nomo is scheduled to pitch Monday, April 10 against the Columbus Clippers.

ANOTHER RECORD YEAR IN CHARLOTTE?: After getting the chance to see Joe Borchard break the All-Time career hit mark last season, this season fans may get another treat from a new member of the Knights. Ernie Young, who spent the ¡¦05 season with Buffalo (.277 20 HR, 78 RBI) currently has 279 career Minor League home runs, just 21 short of 300 career home runs in the Minor Leagues. Young has also 27 home runs in the Majors during parts of 8 seasons.

COLUMBUS CLIPPERS
CLIPPERS KICK OFF THE SEASON AT THE COOP: Opening Night for the Columbus Clippers will be vs. the Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre Red Barons. The kick off to the 2006 season will be jam-packed with tons of promotions and entertainment events. For starters, the first 2,000 fans through the gate will receive a genuine Clippers Victory Bell. The Aladdin Shrine ¡§Dixie Land¡¨ Band will provide pre-game entertainment with a performance at Gate #1. In a salute to the Armed Forces, there will be a pre-game ceremony for the members of Lima Company along with an F-16 flyover by the 178th Fighter Wing Ohio Air National Guard. Opening Night will also mark the first opportunity of the season for fans to party under the left field tent in QFM96¡¦s Quencher Corner. To cap it all off, there will be a post-game fireworks display starting approximately 15 minutes after the game ends.

HENN GETS THE NOD: Lefty Sean Henn will get the Opening Day start for the Clippers versus Scranton/Wilkes-Barre tonight. Henn started 16 games for the Clippers last year compiling a 5-5 record with a 3.23 ERA. He made only one start against the Red Barons last year allowing two earned runs in 5.2 innings pitched.

EXPERIENCE IN THE BULLPEN: The Clippers will have Scott Erickson in the bullpen to start the year. The 14 year Major League veteran has racked up 142 wins in his career including a 20-win season in 1991 with the Twins. Erickson most recently pitched with the Los Angeles Dodgers, being used mostly out of the bullpen last year.

DURHAM BULLS
PLENTY OF PROSPECTS: This year¡¦s Bulls team includes many of Tampa Bay¡¦s best young players. On this year¡¦s Opening Day roster is outfielder Delmon Young, considered the game¡¦s top prospect by Baseball America. The group includes four of what BA considers the organization¡¦s best prospects, including starting pitcher Jason Hammel (3), outfielder Elijah Dukes (5), and reliever Chad Orvella (8). That doesn¡¦t include top talents such as B.J. Upton, now an IL veteran at just 21.
YOUTH IS SERVED: At least on Opening Day, the Bulls don¡¦t have a single player over 30 years of age, and only one player who is 30 (reliever J.B. Miadich). Despite the young look, 14 players on the roster have played in the big leagues.

POWER SURGE: In addition to talented youngsters, this year¡¦s Durham team includes Kevin Witt, who was tied for the Triple-A lead two years ago with 36 homers. Last season the Bulls led the IL with 198 homers.

CHANGES: Just before the season was to start, Russell Branyan, another power hitter, went to Tampa Bay, after former Bull Luis Ordaz went on the DL with a knee injury.

INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
INDIANS SET FOR THE 2006 SEASON: Indianapolis will open its 2006 campaign with an eight-game road trip. The Indians are scheduled to play four contests at Pawtucket (April 6-9) and four at Ottawa (April 10-13) before returning to Victory Field for the home opener April 14.

WHO¡¦S ON THE HILL?: Trent Jewett has set the pitching rotation for the first series at Pawtucket. LHP Tom Gorzelanny, who split the 2005 season between Double-A Altoona, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh, is slated to start the season opener on Thursday. RHP Brandon Duckworth is expected to get the call Friday, while RHP Nerio Rodriguez is the projected starter on Saturday and LHP Sean Burnett on Sunday.

SHOULD WE KNOW THESE GUYS?: Twelve members of the Pittsburgh Pirates Opening Day roster played in Indianapolis during the 2005 season. C Ryan Doumit, OF Chris Duffy, LHP Zach Duke, LHP Paul Maholm, OF Nate McLouth and RHP Ian Snell all spent over a month with the Indians, while RHP Matt Capps was promoted from Double-A at the end of the season. INF Jose Castillo, C Humberto Cota, LHP Mike Gonzalez, LHP Oliver Perez and OF Craig Wilson all wore the Tribe uniform during Major League rehabilitation assignments.

TRIBE ON THE TUBE: WHMB-TV 40 will air 13 Indians games in 2006. The first telecast will be Opening Day (April 6) when Indianapolis travels to Pawtucket for a 7:05 p.m. contest. Howard Kellman, who enters his 31st season as radio play-by-play ¡§Voice of the Tribe,¡¨ will move over to the TV booth for the WHMB telecasts at Victory Field.

LOUISVILLE BATS
STRENGTH IN POWER: For the first time in a long time, the Bats have legitimate home run power, with the likes of 3B Earl Snyder, OF/DH Rob Stratton, OF Brian Buchanan and 1B Jesse Gutierrez roaming Louisville Slugger Field. Snyder has launched 65 homers the past two seasons and has averaged more than 25 bombs the past seven seasons. Achilles' problems sidelined Stratton for the past two years; however, he blasted 16 homers in 42 games with the Bats, including a walk off to open the 2005 season in Louisville. Buchanan, listed at 6'4" 230 pounds, considers himself a gap hitter, but he hit 27 home runs in Triple-A in 2000. Gutierrez hit 17 homers in Double-A in 2004, but tore his ACL on May 7, 2005 and endured season-ending surgery May 17. He was leading his team in RBI at the time of the injury.

BULLPEN VETERANS: Of the seven members of the Bats bullpen, six have Major League experience. Right-handed pitchers Scott Chiasson (6 games in '01 & 4 Games in '02 with the Cubs), Jake Robbins (2 games with Cleveland in '04), Jason Standridge (34 games between Cincinnati and Texas in '05, ML debut in '01 with Tampa Bay) and Ryan Wagner (has played parts of 3 season with the Reds since being drafted in '03) join lefties Ben Kozlowski (2 games with Texas in '02) and Brian Shackelford (ML debut with Reds in '05, 2.43 ERA in 37 games) in the Bats' bullpen. Robbins saved 23 games with Buffalo in 2005 and Shackelford held National League opponents to a .204 batting average. Righty Tom Shearn, who went 4-5 with a 4.26 ERA in 44 games with the Bats last season, rounds out Louisville's bullpen.

STARTING FIVE: While the Bats' bullpen can be considered grizzled veterans, the starting rotation is a little green. Justin Germano, Josh Hall, Elizardo Ramirez and Mike Gosling have an average age of 24 while the fifth starter, Chris Michalak, is 35 and has both started and come out of the bullpen during his 13-year career. Gosling is the only member of the rotation who has not been in a Louisville uniform.

REDS HALL OF FAMER IN LOUISVILLE: With Cincinnati's pitching coach undergoing treatment for cancer, some coaches have been moved around the Major and Minor League levels. Lee Tunnell, scheduled to be Louisville's pitching coach, is now the Reds' bullpen coach. Mario Soto, who is in the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, is the Bats' pitching coach for an undetermined amount of time.

NORFOLK TIDES
TIJERINA TO MANAGE TIDES: Tony Tijerina, who is the Mets¡¦ Minor League field coordinator, will be filling in for Ken Oberkfell to start the 2006 season. Tony's responsibilities as the field coordinator include overseeing spring training for the Minor League teams, extended spring training, and the team's Instructional League entries each fall. Tony has compiled a 333-308 record in six seasons as a Minor League manager. He guided the Brooklyn Cyclones (A) of the New York-Penn League to the McNamara Division title in 2004 after managing Capital City (A) of the South Atlantic League in 2002-2003. In 2002, he was named the South Atlantic League's Best Managerial Prospect by Baseball America. He managed St. Lucie (A) of the Florida State League in 2001. Tijerina began his managing career in the New York-Penn League in Pittsfield from 1999-2000. Tony was also Pittsfield's hitting coach in 1997 and 1998. He spent six seasons (1991-1996) in the Mets Minor League organization after being drafted as a catcher out of Texas Tech University. The 36-year-old is entering his 16th year in the organization.

OPENING NIGHT AT HARBOR PARK: City of Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim, along with Virginia Wesleyan Men¡¦s Basketball coach David Macedo will throw out the Ceremonial First Pitch on Opening Night at Harbor Park. The Tides will also be hosting their fifth-annual Public Safety Night. Prior to the game, there will be a special ceremony honoring Hampton Roads' Police and Firefighters. At the third base gate, an American Flag will be displayed from the ladder fire trucks of the cities of Hampton and Norfolk. Representatives from each department will carry their city and state flags, along with American flags to present the colors on the field. Twenty-five members of the Police Unity Tour will be included in the ceremonies. Sheree Muller, a member of the Virginia Beach Police and Fire Department, will sing the National Anthem, as 50 local Firefighters carry an American Flag (30' by 20').
LASTINGS IS FIRST: Mets prospect Lastings Milledge will begin the 2006 season with the Tides. Milledge, who is ranked as the number one prospect in the Mets organization by Baseball America, is set to bat leadoff and play right field for the Tides in their opener. Milledge, who hit .327 with a home run and seven RBI for the Mets during spring training, turned 21-years-old on Wednesday.

OTTAWA LYNX
TIME BEGINS ON OPENING DAY: The Lynx kick off their 14th season of Triple-A Baseball in Ottawa with tonight¡¦s game against the Louisville Bats. This is the second straight year the Lynx open up against the Bats. The Lynx have won four of their last five Opening Day games.

FAMILIAR FACES: The 2006 edition of the Ottawa Lynx has 12 players who have played for the Lynx previously. The list includes pitchers Julio Manon (2001-02), Andy Mitchell (2005), Chris Piersoll (2005), Eddy Rodriguez (2003-05) and John Stephens (2003 & 2005). The position players include Napoleon Calzado (2003 & 2005), Alejandro Freire (2005), Eddy Garabito (2003-04), Keith Reed (2005), Ed Rogers (2005), Andy Tracy (2000-01) and Eli Whiteside (2005).

CORNER POWER: The Lynx will have some pop in their lineup this season. 1B/DH Alejandro Freire hit 19 homers in 106 games with the Lynx in 2005, and was on pace to break the Lynx single season home run record at the time of his Major League recall on August 9. Freire¡¦s corner companion Andy Tracy will also bring some pop - as he is one season removed from a .315-33-120 monster season with Triple-A Colorado Springs. 3B Fernando Tatis returns to baseball after two season of not playing professionally. Tatis, who is best remembered for hitting two grand slams in one inning in 1999, hit a career high 34 homers for the St. Louis Cardinals that year.

BIRKINS GETS THE NOD: LHP Kurt Birkins gets the nod as the Lynx 2006 opening day starter. The California native will also be making his Triple-A debut after posting a 7-11 record with a 3.91 ERA in 26 games (24 starts) with Double-A Bowie in 2005.

PAWTUCKET RED SOX
PAWSOX ROSTER RECAP: Just four members of the PawSox Opening Day Roster from last year return this season ¡V LHP Abe Alvarez, RHP Tim Bausher, 1B Jeff Bailey, and INF Alejandro Machado. Those four and RHP Manny Delcarmen, RHP Marc Deschenes, RHP Cla Meredith, and C Jim Buckley are the only other players currently on the roster who appeared for the PawSox last season. Manager Ron Johnson (who needs 21 victories to reach the 1,000 career win plateau) , pitching coach Mike Griffin, and hitting coach Mark Budaska are also back from 2005. Furthermore, on this year¡¦s club, 15 players have Major League experience and 22 of the 24 players have Triple-A experience ¡V only LHP Jon Lester and OF Tyler Minges will be making their Triple-A debuts. The PawSox starting staff consists of Opening Day starter LHP Abe Alvarez followed in order by LHP David Wells (not yet on roster pending his injury rehab assignment), RHP Matt Ginter (the former Toledo Mud Hen), RHP Jimmy Serrano (the former Louisville Bat), and LHP Jon Lester. The bullpen features righties Jermaine Van Buren, Manny Delcarmen, Tim Bausher, Marc Deschenes, and Cla Meredith along with lefties Craig Breslow, Mike Bumatay (former Toledo Mud Hen), and Mike Holtz (former Durham Bull). The catching corps includes veteran Ken Huckaby (the former Syracuse SkyChief) as well as Jim Buckley. The PawSox infield features 1B Jeff Bailey & Josh Pressley, veteran 2B Enrique Wilson, SS Alejandro Machado, 3B Rodney Nye (the former Norfolk Tide), and INF Trent Durrington. The outfield spots will be manned by four newcomers - Ron Calloway (the former Ottawa & Norfolk OF), Willie Harris (who spent time with Charlotte and the White Sox last year and this past Tuesday received his 2005 World Series ring in Chicago), Tyler Minges, and former Minnesota, San Francisco, and Colorado slugger Dustan Mohr.

WELL WISHES: Tomorrow night¡¦s PawSox probable starter is David Wells who is recovering from off-season right knee surgery and is expected to begin a brief injury rehab assignment with the PawSox on Friday night. The 42-year-old Wells is currently fifth among all active Major League pitchers with 227 victories during his 19-year big league career with Toronto, Detroit, Cincinnati, Baltimore, the Yankees, White Sox, San Diego, and Boston. Wells will join an illustrious group of Major League stars who have spent time with the PawSox on an injury rehab assignment over the years. The impressive list includes (in part): Marty Barrett (1989), Ellis Burks (1989), Jose Canseco (1995 & ¡¦96), Roger Clemens (1993 & ¡¦95), Dennis Eckersley (1998), Nomar Garciaparra (2001), Mike Greenwell (1995 & ¡¦96), Ramon Martinez (1999), Willie McGee (1995), Kevin Mitchell (1996), Trot Nixon (2004 & 2005), John Olerud (2005), Manny Ramirez (2002), Bret Saberhagen (1997 & 2000), Curt Schilling (2005), Bob Stanley (1988), and John Valentin (2001).

RICHMOND BRAVES
THANKS FOR STOPPING: The Braves are already busy on the roster front. RHP Ken Ray and RHP Joey Devine, who were assigned to Richmond out of spring training, were called up today by Atlanta. RHP Eric Schmitt, who was scheduled to start the year on the DL will now join the active roster. Richmond has four players on the DL who are not with the club: C Eddie Perez, 1B Andy Barkett, RHP Buddy Hernandez, and RHP Carlos Almanzar.

THE OPENER: The Braves play their 41st International League opener today. Richmond is looking for their third straight Opening Day win and fourth in the last five years. The Braves are 14-26 all-time on Opening Day. The Braves are 5-6 in openers at The Diamond.

WE ARE THE WORLD: Three members of the Braves played in the World Baseball Classic in March (Scott Thorman for Canada and Damian Moss and Peter Moylan for Australia). The tournament featured 11 former R-Braves, four of whom were on the Canadian team. Richmond¡¦s Opening Day roster for ¡¦06 includes players from the U.S., Dominican Republic, Canada, Australia, Venezuela, Cuba, and Puerto Rico.

WHAT OFF SEASON?: Seven members of the Braves played winter ball. Thorman played in an Olympic qualifying tournament for Canada. Carlos Mendez and Carlos Duran helped Caracas to the Venezuelan title. Cesar Crespo helped Carolina to the Puerto Rican crown. Jonathan Schuerholz played for the Arizona Fall League champion Phoenix Desert Dogs. Tony Pena played in the Dominican League and Brayan Pena led his League in hitting in the Dominican.


ROCHESTER RED WINGS
JUST WIN BABY: The Red Wings finished the 2005 season with a 75-69 record, their second consecutive winning season in a row. If the Red Wings finish the 2006 with a winning record it would be the first time since 1995-1997 that Rochester had three consecutive winning seasons.

THE CUP HAS GONE DRY: Rochester enters the 2006 season with the longest playoff drought of any team in the International League. Rochester has not made the Governors¡¦ Cup playoffs since 1997 when they won the IL championship. The current 8-year playoff drought is the longest Rochester has had since the Governors¡¦ Cup playoffs were started in 1933.

TWINS-RED WINGS CONNECTION: 14 of the players on the Minnesota Twins 2006 Opening Day roster have worn a Red Wings uniform although Joe Mauer, Nick Punto and Shannon Stewart played for the Red Wings on injury rehab assignments. In three years, 41 players have played for both the Red Wings and the Twins.

FAMILIAR FACES: Of the 24 players on the Red Wings 2006 Opening Day roster, 14 played for the Red Wings last season (15 have worn a Red Wings uniform at some point during their career) and 18 have played at the Triple-A level.

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT: 21 of the 24 players on the Red Wings 2006 Opening Day roster have Triple-A experience. Only RHP Kevin Cameron, RHP Pat Neshek, and outfielder Alex Romero have never played above Double-A.

SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE
VETERAN¡¦S IN EXPERIENCE NOT IN AGE: Looking at the Red Barons roster, one thing in particular stands out ¡V very few players over the age of 30. Of the 24 men, only seven are above 30 and four just recently hit that mark. An average age of 28 does not mean lack of experience. With the exception of 3B Brennan King and OF Chris Roberson, every player on the roster has had playing experience at the Triple-A level. Eight of the players have some service time at the big league level.

OPENING DAY GAMES: The Red Barons are hoping to have some better luck today than they have had in previous season openers. From 1989 through 2005 they were just 5-12, and just 3-10 since 1993. They are currently on a six-game season opening losing streak. The last Red Barons opening win was April 8, 1999 vs. Pawtucket when Randy Wolf, Steve Schrenk and Darryl Scott combined on the 7-0 shutout. Current Buffalo manager Torey Lovullo homered in the game.

WHAT¡¦S NEW?: Two major changes this season involve Lackawanna County Stadium. An 8,000 square foot new home clubhouse is nearing completion and will be ready for the home opener April 14. The new facility is located on the site of the former visiting clubhouse along the 3rd base side of the field. It features a huge main players¡¦ area, indoor batting facility, family lounge, private coaches suites as well as expanded training facilities. Visiting teams will now occupy the ¡§old¡¨ home clubhouse which will finally give them a large training room and players lounge. In left field, the much delayed party deck has resumed construction and will be completed in May. The project had been delayed for several years by a variety of issues but is finally back on track.

SYRACUSE SKYCHIEFS
NEW SKIPPER MAKES TRIPLE-A DEBUT: Manager Mike Basso begins his first season as the Syracuse Manager and fourth in the Blue Jays Organization. Basso led the New Hampshire FisherCats to the 2004 Eastern League Championship and was the named the 2003 Florida State League Manager of the Year after leading Dunedin to a 78-62 record. Prior to coming aboard the Blue Jays organization, Basso spent 19 seasons in the Padres Minor League system, 11 as a player, six seasons as a Minor League manager and two as the Padres¡¦ Advance Scout. For Basso it is his first managing assignment in Triple-A and he will be joined by seven players on the SkyChiefs roster who are getting their first experience above Double-A, pitchers Josh Banks, Casey Janssen, David Purcey and Ty Taubenheim, infielders Rob Cosby and Ryan Roberts and outfielder Wayne Lydon.

10TH OPENER: Today marks the 10th Opening Day at Alliance Bank Stadium (formerly P&C Stadium). 2005 NL CY Young Award Winner Chris Carpenter threw out the first ever pitch in the new stadium on April 3, 1997 in the SkyChiefs 13-6 loss versus Norfolk. The SkyChiefs are 5-4 in Home Openers at the new stadium but have lost the last two openers to Rochester.

HOT SPRING: The SkyChiefs finished Spring Training with a record of 13-2-1 including a win against the parent Toronto Blue Jays in a five-inning exhibition, and victories over big league starters Jon Lieber and Chien-Ming Wang. Of the two loses surrendered by the SkyChiefs, one was to the Blue Jays and the other came with Roy Halladay on the mound for the SkyChiefs.

SOLID CORE OF RETURNING PLAYERS: John Ford-Griffin (.254-30-103), the SkyChiefs 2005 team MVP, headlines a list of eleven players who are back from last year¡¦s team. Griffin is joined offensively by Kevin Barker (.305-23-87), John Hattig (.386-0-5), Chad Mottola (.255-21-69), Justin Singleton (.255-20-36) and Danny Solano (.243-3-22). Pitchers returning include Adrian Burnside (4-4, 2.98), Matt Duff (5-0, 3.51), Lee Gronkiewicz (0-1, 2.22, 6 SV), Brandon League (4-4, 5.71), Shaun Marcum (6-4, 4.95) and Francisco Rosario (2-7, 3.95).

TOLEDO MUD HENS
EXPERIENCE ¡V A PLUS!: Years of experience will hopefully pay dividends for the Mud Hens this year. However, it has nothing to do with the players on the field. The Hens bench boss Larry Parrish, pitching coach Jeff Jones, and hitting coach Leon ¡§Bull¡¨ Durham, combine for more years of IL experience, with 19, than any other League coaching staff. Parrish is entering his 5th year (4th consecutive) with the Hens, compiling a record of 275-273. Jones enters his 12th year with the Hens hurlers, while 2006 is Durham¡¦s 6th as the club¡¦s hitting instructor.

FAMILIAR FACES BACK AT FIFTH THIRD FIELD: The Mud Hens return a total of seven players from their Governors¡¦ Cup Champion team of 2005. The entire infield should look very familiar as five players return. 3B Mike Hessman (.214, 28 HR, 74 RBI) returns for his second year in Toledo. His 28 home runs were a career-best and the sixth most in Toledo modern-era history. 1B/3B Jack Hannahan (.269, 4 HR, 28 RBI) returns for his second season with Toledo. Jack hit three home runs in a game on May 1 versus Columbus to become the first player to accomplish this feat at Fifth Third Field. 2B/SS Kevin Hooper (.240, 27 RBI, 16 SB) returns for his second year with Toledo. A fan favorite, Hooper played all nine positions in a game against Indianapolis on Labor Day last season, even picking up a save with a 1-2-3 ninth inning. SS Don Kelly (.250, 13 RBI, 8 SB) comes back for his second season with the Hens. Kelly started 2005 with Double-A Erie and hit .340 in 82 games. 2B Ryan Raburn (.253, 19 HR, 64 RBI) will return for his second season with Toledo. In the outfield, Alexis Gomez (.307, 55 RBI, 21 SB) will return for his second season and David Espinosa returns. New faces include C Brian Peterson and C Maxim St. Pierre along with IF Josh Phelps, OF Ryan Ludwick and former Hen, Nook Logan. ƒnToledo returns five pitchers from last year¡¦s club. RHP Zach Miner, RHP Mark Woodyard, RHP Steve Green, LHP Corey Hamman, and LHP Wil Ledezma all return. Other new faces include RHP Roman Colon, LHP Lance Davis, RHP Chad Durbin, RHP Tony Fiore, RHP Lee Gardner, LHP Alex Herrera, RHP Colby Lewis, and LHP Hector Mercado.

OPENING DAY ASSIGNMENT: LHP Wil Ledezma will take the mound on Thursday for Toledo. Ledezma started the 2005 season as a member of the Detroit Tigers. After making 10 starts with Detroit (2-4, 7.07 ERA) he was optioned to Toledo (June 5) and finished the season with the Mud Hens. He struck out a season-best seven batters in a win on June 20 at Ottawa. He was placed on the disabled list on July 17 (left elbow) and was out of action until August 22. Ledezma won his only post-season start with Toledo, allowing one earned run in 5.0 innings.

International League Stories from April 6, 2006

• PawSox Rally For 3-2 Victory Over Indianapolis - Indianapolis Indians
• Bulls too much for Tides - Norfolk Tides
• Braves rally for opening day win - Gwinnett Stripers
• International League News and Notes - IL1
• Bisons Announce Opening Day Roster - Buffalo Bisons
• Bisons game notes - Buffalo Bisons
• R-Braves game notes - Gwinnett Stripers

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