IL1 International League

International League News and Notes

Published on May 18, 2006 under International League (IL1) News Release


BUFFALO BISONS
HOWARD OPENS CAREER OF CLOSING: Reliever Ben Howard is doing just fine in his first ever season in the closer role. The 10-year veteran entered the 2006 season with only three professional saves but currently leads the International League with 10 saves. Howard has his save total in only 11 chances (91% success rate). The former 2nd round pick of the San Diego Padres in 1997 has also stranded nine of the 10 base runners he's inherited this year.

NEW FACES IN THE HERD: Four new players joined the Bisons for the first time this week. Infielder Eider Torres was called up from Double-A Akron last Thursday after hitting .298 (37-124) with 15 stolen bases in 30 games with the Aeros. Last Friday, reliever Vic Darensbourg was activated to Buffalo's roster. An IL All-Star with Toledo in 2005, the southpaw allowed just one earned run in 44 appearances with the Mud Hens. Relievers Edward Mujica (12 G, 19.0 IP, 0 ER, 17 K) and Tom Mastny (12 G, 24.2 IP, 3 ER, 30 K) were also called up on Monday and Wednesday respectively after putting up dominant numbers with Akron.

HOME SWEET HOME: The Bisons currently lead the International League with 14 home victories. As a team, the Herd has averaged. .280 at Dunn Tire Park, the highest average for any team in their home park. Recently promoted Lou Merloni led the team with a .365 (23-63) home average, but Ben Francisco (.320, 5 HR, 14 RBI), Tim Laker (.346) and Einar Diaz (.302, HR, 8 RBI) have also done solid work in front of the hometown fans.

CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS
FIELD CONTINUING TO IMPRESS: Coming off being named IL Batter-of-the-Week, Josh Fields now finds himself with the second best batting average in the International League. His average currently stands at .354 (45-127), while the Knights also rank 2nd with a .260 (350-1348) team average. Other categories in which Fields ranks high include: 1st with a .638 SLG %, T-1st with 20 extra base hits, T-2nd with 8 home runs, 4th with 45 total hits, and T-4th with a .428 OBP.

SETTING THE BAR: The Knights pitching staff is now ranked 1st in the International League with a team ERA of 2.73 and the major reason is the starting pitching. Sean Tracey, Charlie Haeger and Stephen Randolph are all 4-0 on the season and are joined in the starting five by Tim Redding and Heath Phillips who are both 4-2. The Knights low team ERA could be because two of the starting five also rank in the top 5 in ERA. Haeger currently has the best ERA (0.68) while Phillips ranks 5th (2.03).

MR. 300?: With his home run in the 9th inning of yesterday's game against Indianapolis, Ernie Young took another step closer to the 300 HR mark. Entering the season Young had 293 career Minor League home runs and has added 5 more this season giving him a career total of 298.

RUNNING WILD: The Knights may only be in 2nd place in the International League for total stolen bases with 52 (Durham is the current leader with 61), but the 2006 Knights are running wild compared to last season. In 2005 the Knights managed to steal just 40 bases during the entire year, a feat which the '06 Knights matched prior to their 40th game. Jerry Owens is leading the Knights on the bases with 14, 2nd best in the IL.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN...CAN'T WAIT TO GET ON THE ROAD AGAIN: With yesterday's win the Knights have now won their last 15 games on the road and have improved to 19-3 on the road during the 2006 season. The Knights have not lost away from Charlotte since April 12 in Columbus.

COLUMBUS CLIPPERS
ROSTER MOVES: With the recent injuries to Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui, Clipper outfielders Melky Cabrera and Kevin Reese have been called up to the big club. Both are making their second appearances in the Majors. To fill the void on the Columbus roster, the Clippers have added outfielders Rob Stratton and Jason Conti. Stratton has spent parts of the last three seasons with Louisville. The slugger has amassed 190 career home runs and has twice hit as many as 30 in a season. Stratton has also been a member of three All-Star teams (Appalachian League '97, Florida State League '99, Pacific Coast League '03). Conti played for Oklahoma in the PCL last year, his second in the Rangers organization. This will be Conti's third stint in the IL after playing in '03 with Indianapolis and '01 with Durham. In five career games at Cooper Stadium he is hitting .555 (10-18) with seven runs, three doubles, a home run and six RBI.

MORE ROSTER MOVES: Scott Erickson was sent up and Jeff Karstens was sent down in the last week as well. Lefty Tommy Phelps was picked up and inserted into the rotation. Phelps saw action last year as the left handed specialist with Milwaukee. He pitched 23.1 innings in 29 games for the Brewers and notched one save. Columbus also received Jorge De Paula from Trenton. De Paula spent most of last year as well as most of 2003 in a Columbus uniform. He is 14-11 in 48 career appearances for the Clippers, 47 starts.

HOME SWEET HOME: The Clippers will return home this weekend to start their longest homestand of the season. They will play 10 games in 11 days starting on Saturday the 20th. On the year, 10 of Columbus' 15 wins have come at the Coop. The Clippers concluded their last homestand with an extra inning win over Richmond thanks to Andy Cannizaro's walk off homer in the 12th, his second career Triple-A home run and just his seventh all-time.
DURHAM BULLS
HOME COOKING: So far, Bulls first baseman Kevin Witt has enjoyed playing at parks that used to be his home field. On the last road trip Witt went 7-15 with 2 HR and 3 RBI at Syracuse. In the first two games at Louisville, Witt is 6-9 with a homer and 4 RBI. The Bulls don't go to Toledo until after the All-Star break, where Witt played in 2003.

LEAGUE LEADERS: Witt tops the IL in homers after hitting his ninth yesterday. B.J. Upton has an IL best 18 stolen bases. Outfielder Darnell McDonald tops the IL in hits with 50, and is tied for the IL lead with 28 RBI.

DOUBLE DIGITS DOWN: Despite being tied for the fourth best record in the IL, Durham is a season-high 10 games behind Charlotte in the South Division. That's because the Knights have professional baseball's best record at 31-8. Durham would be tied for the West Division lead, and only 2.5 GB in the North Division.

OFFENSE ON TRACK?: After scoring four runs total in the first three games of a 10-game road trip, the Bulls have scored 22 in the last three games combined. In each of those contests, the Bulls have scored at least five runs.

GREEN ON BOARD: Nick Green joined the Bulls on this road trip after being outrighted from Tampa Bay. Green has been the DH, second baseman, shortstop and left fielder in his first four games with Durham, starting at a different position in each contest.

INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
IT'S A NEW VICTORY FIELD RECORD: Indianapolis swiped a Victory Field record six bases in Sunday's 8-1 victory over Durham. OF Rajai Davis and OF Rich Thompson stole two bases apiece, while DH Ray Sadler and OF Raul Gonzalez registered one each.

22 OF 23 ISN'T BAD: Indianapolis OF Raul Gonzalez has reached base safely in 22 of his last 23 contests. During the stretch, the 32-year-old is batting .274 (23-84) with 11 runs, 15 RBI, 15 walks and 14 strikeouts.

DE CASTER IS ON A ROLL: Yurendell de Caster enters Thursday night's contest with a 10-game hitting streak (.325 BA, 13-40, 7 R, 3 RBI). The streak is de Caster's longest since hitting safely in 14 straight tilts from June 5-20, 2005. The 26-year-old owns a .246 BA with four HR and 15 RBI in 37 affairs this season.

SCORELESS STRICKLAND: Tribe RHP Scott Strickland has opened the season by firing 22.2 consecutive scoreless innings (April 6-May 16). In 15 outings, the 30-year-old has held opponents to a .169 batting average while striking out 26. The next longest streak by an Indianapolis hurler is 12.0 frames, established by RHP Brandon Duckworth (April 18-28).

STAYING UNDER THREE: Seven Indians hurlers -- RHP Scott Strickland (0.00), LHP C.J. Nitkowski (1.10), RHP Matt Whiteside (1.35), RHP Brandon Duckworth (2.30), RHP Terry Adams (2.37), RHP Marty McLeary (2.66) and RHP Jonah Bayliss (2.97) -- have managed an ERA of under 3.00 to this point in the season.

A 'PEN THAT SHUTS 'EM DOWN: The Tribe bullpen has dominated since late April, registering a 2.06 ERA in its past 20 affairs (15 ER in 72.2 IP). During the stretch, opponents are hitting just .206 (53-257) against Indianapolis relievers. The unit is also 9-11 in save opportunities -- RHP Matt Whiteside (4-4), LHP C.J. Nitkowski (2-2), RHP Jonah Bayliss (1-1), RHP Marty McLeary (1-1), RHP Scott Strickland (1-1), RHP Terry Adams (0-1) and RHP Ron Chiavacci (0-1).

LOUISVILLE BATS
INTRODUCING LOUISVILLE'S PITCHING COACH: Ted Power joined Louisville's coaching staff Tuesday, replacing Mario Soto who had been with the Bats for their first 33 games. Soto, who was scheduled to be in Louisville temporarily, returned to his home in the Dominican Republic. Power began the year as the Reds' pitching rehabilitation coordinator and will be with the Bats for the remainder of the season. He was the pitching coach for Rookie League Billings from 2000-2001 and Single-A Dayton in 2002. Power briefly pitched for the Louisville Redbirds in 1989.

SOME PITCHING HELP PLEASE!: With right-hander Mike Burns' recall to Cincinnati May 14, righty Brad Salmon was promoted from Double-A Chattanooga May 15. In 16 relief appearances for the Lookouts, Salmon went 2-1 with two saves and a 2.70 ERA. Last season, Salmon appeared in nine games for the Bats and posted a 3.31 ERA.

EDUCATION DAYS BRINGS IN THE KIDS: The Bats hosted over 7,300 school kids in their third and final Education Day of the season yesterday. Over 17,000 Louisville and Southern Indiana children attended the three Education Day games this season. The Bats play one more weekday day game in Louisville on June 28.

NORFOLK TIDES
HERNANDEZ IS HOT: Infielder Anderson Hernandez, who is with the Tides rehabbing a bulging disc in his back, has had a fantastic start to his rehab stint with Norfolk. Hernandez has played in seven games and posted a .407 average with three stolen bases, and has already registered four multi-hit games. The 23-year-old was placed on the disabled list with New York on April 19 after hitting .146 in 12 games with the Mets.

LASTINGS IS FIRST: Outfielder Lastings Milledge has scored 26 runs this season, which is 15 more than any other Tide and 23.4% of the 111 runs the Tides have scored this year. Milledge also leads the Tides in hits (38), home runs (3), doubles (8), triples (2), walks (26), times hit by pitch (11) and stolen bases (8).


HARDEST TO HOMER AT HARBOR PARK: Through 23 home games, there have been just 18 home runs hit at Harbor Park (0.78 HR/game) this season. The 18 home runs is tied for the fewest number of home runs hit at any International League park this year, as Lynx Stadium in Ottawa has also yielded just 18 home runs. However, Ottawa has played just 18 home games (1 HR/game) this season.

DAY-LEMMA: Heading into today's afternoon contest vs. Toledo, Norfolk has played 13 day contests this year, but has posted just a 1-12 record in those games. The lone win the Tides have had in a day game was on April 23 in Game 1 of a doubleheader with Richmond, when Norfolk beat the Braves 1-0. The Tides, who are 13-14 in night games this year, are 0-6 in day contests at Harbor Park.

OTTAWA LYNX
BID ON YOUR CHANCE TO BE A LYNX!: The Ottawa Lynx are offering their fans a chance to be part of a Triple-A Baseball Club. Fans can visit ebay.com, where the Lynx have an opportunity to bid on the chance to be included in part of the Lynx 2006 team baseball card set. The winning bidder will receive their own card with personalized biography and statistics!

FERNANDO IN COMMANDO (OF IL PITCHING): Lynx 3B Fernando Tatis has been blazing hot of late. Tatis is hitting .355 (22-62) in May, and has collected 13 hits in his last 32 at bats (.406) over his last ten games. The recent hot streak in May has increased his batting average from .279 to .317, 10th best in the International League. Tatis had a small slump in late April (0-17) and removing that, he has hit .367 (40-109) this season.

GET THAT THIRD RUN!: In Tuesday night's victory, the Lynx were able to plate more than three runs (6-4 victory), and three has certainly been the magic number for Ottawa this season. The Lynx have an impressive 18-4 record in games in which they have scored three or more runs. The results are a little different when Ottawa scores two or fewer runs, going 0-17 in those matchups.

PAWTUCKET RED SOX
A PAIN IN THE RAIN: This past weekend at McCoy Stadium was one for the record books, but certainly not the kind of record any club wants to talk about. Pawtucket's entire three-day weekend of games at McCoy Stadium (Friday vs. Syracuse and Saturday & Sunday vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre) was postponed due to rain. In fact, the PawSox suffered four rainouts during a six day stretch during that homestand at McCoy (May 9-14). The PawSox already have had five home rainouts this season. On April 8 of this season the Sox suffered their first home postponement since all the way back on July 5 of the 2004 season. The PawSox went all of 2005 without a home rainout and had played 100 consecutive home dates without a postponement at McCoy until that rainout on April 8 vs. Indianapolis. Yesterday the club announced the make-up dates and times for their two remaining rainouts from the last homestand. The May 12 rainout vs. Syracuse will be made-up as part of a day/night, separate admission doubleheader on Friday, August 4 at McCoy with Game 1 at 12:05 p.m. and Game 2 at 7:05 p.m. The May 13 rainout vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre will be made-up as part of a single admission doubleheader on Sunday, July 2 beginning at 4:35 p.m. at McCoy. And this just in - Pawtucket's game at Buffalo scheduled for today (Thursday) at 1:05 p.m. has been postponed by rain. That brings the total to 5 rainouts in the past 10 days for the Pawtucket Red Sox. (The PawSox & Bisons will play a make-up doubleheader on Friday at 5:30 p.m.).

UNABLE ABE: PawSox ace Abe Alvarez, who led the IL in victories through early May (going 5-0, 2.18), has not pitched since a May 7 win in Rochester. Abe was slated to start today (Thursday) in Buffalo but was washed-out of his scheduled start - once again. Alvarez was supposed to start on May 12 vs. Syracuse and that was rained out, then on May 14 vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and that was rained out (forcing him to throw a simulated game indoors in the McCoy batting cage that day), thus pushing him to May 18 in Buffalo which - alas - was also rained out.

WILL THE WELLS DRY: Also affected by the lovely New England weather of late is Boston Red Sox LHP David Wells who has been on the Red Sox disabled list for much of the season following off-season knee surgery. Wells, who made a rehab start for the PawSox on April 7 vs. Indianapolis and then one start for the Red Sox on April 12 vs. Toronto (both losses) before going back on the DL, had three straight simulated starts washed out over the weekend - pushing his return back several days. As it stands now, Wells will make a rehab start for the PawSox this coming Sunday afternoon at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre - one day after his 43rd Birthday.

RJ COUNTDOWN: PawSox skipper Ron Johnson is just 2 victories away from reaching the 1,000-win milestone in his managerial career. He has posted a 998-992 career record in his 14+ years of managing in Minor League Baseball.

RICHMOND BRAVES
DEALING: Kevin Barry has not allowed a run in his last three starts over 19 innings. Overall, going back to his start April 30 vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he has pitched 24.1 consecutive scoreless innings.

GETTING THE CALL: RHP Anthony Lerew was called up to Atlanta Wednesday. He is the seventh R-Brave to earn an MLB call-up this season. The Braves have made a total of 38 roster moves.

WORKING OVERTIME: The Braves played their ninth extra-inning game of the season last night, tops in the International League. Richmond is 3-6 in bonus frames. Richmond played 11 extra-inning games all of last season.

BAND ON THE RUN: The Braves stole six bases vs. Columbus Tuesday. That equals the International League high for most steals by a team in a game this season (Indianapolis also had a six-steal game). 17 of the Braves 33 stolen bases have come in the last 10 games.



ROCHESTER RED WINGS
RED HOT WING: Outfielder Jason Tyner has a 10-game hitting streak batting .488 (21-43) with three doubles, one triple, one RBI and 12 runs scored. Tyner has been red hot his last six games (five multi-hit games in those six games) batting .600 (15-25) with two doubles, one triple and nine runs scored. Tyner has raised his batting average from .228 to .320 over this 10-game stretch.

WALK THIS WAY: First baseman Jason Hart hit the 15th walk-off home run in Frontier Field history last night in the bottom of 10th inning. Hart is the first Red Wing to hit a walk-off home run this season and the 13th person to accomplish this feat. Here's a list of previous walk-off home runs in Frontier Field history:
B.J. Waszgis 4/13/97 3-run home run (Bot 8) Michael Cuddyer 8/20/2003 2-run home run (Bot 13)
B.J. Waszgis 4/20/97 Solo home run (Bot 9) Michael Ryan 7/16/2004 Solo home run (Bot 12)
Tommy Davis 6/1/97 2-run home run (Bot 9) Terry Tiffee 7/19/2004 2-run home run (G1-Bot 12)
Julio Vinas 7/18/99 2-run home run (Bot 10) Garrett Jones 6/14/2005 Solo home run (G2-Bot 8)
Justin Morneau 6/2/2003 Solo home run (Bot 10) Luis Maza 8/9/2005 3-run home run (Bot 11)
Michael Restovich 7/2/2003 Grand Slam (G1-Bot 7) Kevin West 8/15/2005 3-run home run (G2-Bot 7)
Michael Ryan 8/6/2003 3-run home run (G1-Bot 7) Josh Rabe 8/16/2005 Grand Slam (Bot 10)

BRING THE LUMBER BOYS: The Red Wings enter today's game (Thursday) leading the International League with a team batting average of .268 (Durham and Charlotte are tied for 2nd with a .260 team batting average). If Rochester can finish the season leading the IL in team batting average it would be the first time since 1990 when Rochester lead the IL with a .273 team batting average. Since 1950 Rochester has led the International League in team batting average eight times (1990 .273, 1974 .261, 1971 .283, 1970 .287, 1965 .254, 1961 .263, 1957 .264, and 1953 .283).

SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE
WEB GEMS: In 22 road games the Red Barons defense has committed just eight errors. On the more friendly Astroturf home field they have committed just 13 in 18 games. Their 21 total miscues lead the International League. Richmond and Indianapolis are tied for 2nd with 24. Surprisingly, no Scranton/Wilkes-Barre players lead in fielding percentage at any individual position. The Red Barons also lead in fewest stolen bases allowed with just 18. Rochester is 2nd with 21 allowed. Scranton Wilkes-Barre's 38% CS percentage is 2nd in the IL.

SO CLOSE: Since the Red Barons 10-game winning streak ended on April 26, the Red Barons have gone 10-11. In those 11 losses all but two have been decided by two runs or less. And in those two the difference was just four runs. Five of the losses have been by one runs and the average margin of defeat has been just 1.9 runs.

TWO STILL THE LONGEST: Tuesday's 8-6 win over Rochester kept one Red Barons "streak" alive. Through 39 games they still have not lost more than two consecutive games. They have had five two-game losing streaks and of course a bunch of one-gamers. On the winning side, they matched a team record with 10 straight wins, one three-game streak and one two-game streak.

DAVID WELLS TO PITCH SUNDAY: According to the Boston Red Sox website, veteran LHP David "Boomer" Wells will make a rehab start for the Pawtucket Red Sox on Sunday at Lackawanna County Stadium. Wells is coming off a knee injury. Rain had prevented Wells from throwing a simulated game for three days in a row. Finally, Wells was able to take the mound on Tuesday, throwing 82 pitches to an assortment of teammates, as well as first base coach Bill Haselman. He also fielded his position several times, covering first without favoring the knee. Tickets to see Wells are on sale now at the box office or online at www.RedBarons.com.

SYRACUSE SKYCHIEFS
LUIS LIKES LEADING OFF: SkyChiefs infielder Luis Figueroa has been the primary leadoff hitter with outfielder Wayne Lydon on the DL. Figueroa has hit .340 (17-50) with three stolen bases in 12 games as the leadoff man this year and just .121 (4-33) with one stolen base hitting elsewhere in the lineup. When he leads off any inning Figueroa is hitting .379 (11-29) and when he does not leadoff an inning he is hitting .185 (10-54).

WHERE'S MARCUM?: The Blue Jays placed Gustavo Chacin on the DL Tuesday and Wednesday recalled SkyChiefs pitcher Shaun Marcum. After beginning the season with Syracuse Marcum is in his third stint with the Blue Jays already this season. Combined in his first two stints with Toronto Marcum was 0-0 with a 13.50 ERA allowing six hits and four runs in 2 appearances totaling 2.2 innings walking four and striking out two. Not only has he split the season going between Syracuse and Toronto, while in Syracuse he began the season in the bullpen (1-0, 2.38, 2 BB, 16 K) making five appearances before being moved into the rotation (1-0, 2.08, 1 BB, 7 K) where he made two starts before being recalled.

A TONGUE TWISTER: SURE-HANDED SHORTSTOP SERGIO SANTOS: After committing two errors in the first four games of the season, SkyChiefs shortstop Sergio Santos has gone 26 straight games without committing an error and leads IL shortstops with a .984 fielding percentage.

TOLEDO MUD HENS
WANTED: DON KELLY - CRIME: STEALING BASES: Don't let the Toledo Police Department know, but the Mud Hens have a thief on their team. SS Don Kelly is wanted by most opponents for frequently stealing bases. Kelly, a 6'5, 205-pounder is a true threat on the basepaths. So far this season, he was swiped 12 bases right from under opposing catchers' noses. Only one catcher can say that he has caught Kelly in the act, and that is Shawn Riggans of the Durham Bulls. Kelly has been picked off of first base one time. Kelly's single-season high is 18, set in 2005 split between Double-A Erie (10) and Toledo (8).

THE WAIT IS OVER: Five members of Major League Baseball's hottest team are now sporting a new fashion around the Tigers' clubhouse. Curtis Granderson, Marcus Thames, Jason Grilli, Chris Shelton and Joel Zumaya all received their 2005 International League Championship Rings in a closed-door ceremony prior to Wednesday night's game at Comerica Park. Mud Hens' front office representatives traveled to Detroit and presented the players with their rings. Returning players from the 2005 Toledo squad all received their rings during Opening Weekend, 2006.

ISN'T HE GRAND?: Former Cleveland Indian and current Hen Ryan Ludwick is definitely a fan-favorite in Toledo. With Toledo being split, Tigers/Indians fans, many people have followed Ludwick the past few seasons with the Tribe. Fans got what they expected from him on May 11 versus Norfolk. Ludwick went 4-5 with a home run, five RBI, two doubles and three runs scored. His five RBI tied the season-high, previously set by Jack Hannahan. Four days later, in Richmond, Ludwick drove in five for the second time this season, this time, crushing a grand slam - the first for Toledo since Dewayne Wise did it in 2005.

NO R&R FOR RYAN RABURN: OF Ryan Raburn has been impressive over his last 10 games. After going 1-6 on May 17 at Norfolk, Raburn stretched his hit-streak to 10 games. During the course of those 10 games, Raburn has gone 17-41 (.415) with two home runs, a triple, four doubles, nine RBI, and nine runs. The 10-game streak is the longest this year by a Toledo player (Ryan Ludwick had a nine-game streak). Raburn strung together nine games in 2005 - and that was his longest streak of the year.

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International League Stories from May 18, 2006


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