IL1 International League

International League News and Notes

Published on July 3, 2008 under International League (IL1) News Release


BUFFALO BISONS

RUNDLES SELECTED TO IL ALL-STAR TEAM: Side-winding reliever LHP Rich Rundles has been selected to the IL All-Star Team. Rundles, 27, has pitched extremely well for the Herd in his second season in Buffalo. In 32 relief appearances, the southpaw is 5-4 with a 3.48 ERA. He has struck out 36 and allowed just 26 hits, holding opponents to a .213 batting average (lefties hitting .161). His 36 strikeouts have come in just 32.2 innings pitched, giving him an average of 9.9K/9.0IP. From May 4-June 14, Rundles allowed just two earned runs in 16 games and 15.1 innings of work (1.17 ERA).

HALAMA STILL WINNING: It was a good first month with the Bisons for LHP John Halama. Signed by the Indians on June 8, the 36-year old is 4-1 with a 4.80 ERA in five starts with the Herd (30.0 IP, 28 H, 16 R, 16 ER, 9 BB, 12 K). He has worked five innings in all five starts and has held opponents to a .257 batting average. A good veteran presence, three of his four wins have come on the road. Halama has been a big part of a Bisons starting rotation that has posted a 2.50 ERA in the last 15 games.

SOLID STARTER: RHP Matt Ginter has won three consecutive decisions for the second time this season and now has officially put a tough April behind him. The veteran was 0-4 with a 7.71 ERA in five games in the first month of the season, but since May 5, Ginter is 6-2 with a 2.86 ERA in 11 starts. Recently, he has allowed one run or less in each of his last three starts. On Saturday, he held Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to just one hit in six innings of work. On the season, Ginter's record is now an even 6-6 with a 4.13 ERA.

CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS

KNIGHTS SEND THREE TO ALL-STAR GAME: The Charlotte Knights will be well represented at the 2008 Triple-A All-Star Game in Louisville. Pitcher Jason Childers, first baseman Brad Eldred and second baseman Chris Getz have all been name to the International League All-Star team. Pitcher Jason Childers, 33, is enjoying one of his best professional seasons in 2008. Childers has a 3-1 record with a 1.59 ERA and 5 saves on the season. He has allowed just 20 hits in 34.0 innings of work in 31 games. The Knights closer has 28 strikeouts and opponents are hitting just .172 against him. In addition to working as a closer, Childers has also worked in long relief and the set-up role. This is Childers first selection as an All-Star at the professional level. The IL leader in home runs and RBI's will represent the Knights at the Triple-A All-Star game. First baseman Brad Eldred, 27, currently is tied for the IL lead in home runs at 26 and is first in RBI with 72. Eldred is on pace for career highs in both categories and is closing in on the Charlotte baseball single season home run record of 38. Eldred is also leading the League in slugging percentage (.620) and extra-base hits (46). This is his third professional All-Star selection and first IL All-Star selection. Eldred was named to the Carolina League postseason All-Star team in 2004 and the New York Penn League All-Star team in 2002. Second baseman Chris Getz, 24, will have a busy All-Star weekend. Getz will add the IL All-Star title next to being selected to the Major League Baseball Futures Game. Getz currently sits tied for 3rd in the IL in batting at .309. Getz leads the Knights in games played (79) and on base percentage (.360). Getz is also 2nd on the team in RBI (33) and doubles (18). Getz has primarily played second base, but has shown his versatility by playing shortstop and left field as well. This is Getz's second professional All-Star selection and first IL All-Star selection. Getz was named to the Southern League midseason All-Star team in 2007. The Knights three All-Star representatives is the third-most amongst IL teams.

KNIGHTS ALL-STAR HISTORY: This will be the fourth time in team history that the Knights have sent at least three players to the Triple-A or Southern League All-Star game. The team sent three representatives in 2001 (Joe Crede, Derek Hasselhoff, Aaron Rowand), four in 1989 (Kelly Mann, Derrick May, Laddie Renfroe, Greg Smith) and an IL record six in 2006 (Josh Fields, Jeff Farnsworth, Charlie Haeger, Heath Phillips, Jorge Velandia, Ernie Young).

THE FUTURE IS NOW: The Charlotte Knights will also send two players to the XM Satellite Radio All-Star Futures Game on July 13 at Yankee Stadium. Knights INF Chris Getz and LHP Clayton Richard were named to the 25-man U.S. squad that will face a team made up of World All-Stars. Current Knights 3B Josh Fields was the last Charlotte player to be named to the Futures Game in 2006. Former Knight Jon Garland was named to the U.S. team in 2000.

COLUMBUS CLIPPERS

CLIPPERS OF THE MONTH, JUNE: Larry Broadway was selected as the Clipper Player of the Month, holding off Tommy Murphy (.369, 13-game hit streak, hit safely in 20 of 23 games) and Jorge Padilla (.379, 18-game on base streak, hit safely in 16 of 18 games) for the honors. Broadway had a 10-game hitting streak in June, batting .417 (15-36) during the stretch from 6/10-6/22. He finished the month at .348 (32-92) with 4 HR and 16 RBI, recording a hit in 23 of 26 games. On 6/22 at Pawtucket, Broadway hit his first grand slam since 4/19/04 as a member of the Harrisburg Senators. On the mound, Collin Balester was named the Pitcher of the Month, after going 4-0 with a 2.82 ERA in four starts (22.1 IP, 22 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 6 BB, 19 K). Balester had won eight of his last nine decisions, dating back to 5/2, to earn his first promotion to the Big Leagues. On 7/1 he became the fourth Clipper to make his Major League debut this season (Charlie Manning- 5/24, Garrett Mock- 6/8 and Steven Shell- 6/22). Balester picked up the win, allowing 1 ER on one hit in 5.0 innings at Florida.

SANCHES HEADED TO LOUISVILLE: It was announced yesterday that Clipper closer Brian Sanches was selected to play in the Triple-A All-Star Game. Sanches, who recently notched his 50th career save on 7/1 vs. Toledo, will be the only representative from Columbus. This will mark the fourth time in the last six seasons that the anchor of the Columbus bullpen has been named to the IL squad (Sam Marsonek-2003, 2004; Chris Booker-2007).

GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURES: A native of Curacao in the Netherlands Antilles, RHP Shairon Martis has been selected to play for the World Team in the Futures Game at Yankee Stadium on 7/13. Martis is the only Clipper to make the game this year after teammate Collin Balester (now with Washington) pitched for Team USA last season. Also last season, former Clipper Emiliano Fruto threw for the World Team (traded to Arizona on 8/21/07). John Stearns, manager of the Clippers in 2007, will join Martis on the World Team as a coach.

DURHAM BULLS

GO THE DISTANCE: Jeff Niemann threw a complete game on Tuesday in a 7-1 win over Charlotte. It was Niemann's first as a professional. He needed just 107 pitches to go nine innings. It was Durham's first in a nine-inning game since Jason Hammel went the distance May 28 last year in a shutout victory against Ottawa.

K CORNER: Niemann had 12 strikeouts in that start, one short of Durham's Triple-A record, set by Hammel in the 2006 season at Toledo. Andy Sonnanstine had a 12-strikeout game at home last year, so Niemann tied the Triple-A record for a Bulls pitcher at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

DOUBLE TROUBLE: Justin Ruggiano had a two-homer game on Tuesday. It was the seventh two-homer game this year for the Bulls. Six different players - Ruggiano, Joel Guzman, Dan Johnson, Chris Richard, Jon Weber and Jeff Bannon have had two-homer games this season for Durham. All but Bannon are still with Durham.

ROAD WARRIORS: Durham heads on the road today to take on Charlotte for games in Fort Mill, SC on Friday and Saturday. The Bulls, who took

4-of-5 on their last trip, are now 26-18 on the road, tops in the IL.

INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS

PEARCE IS PROMOTED: Before Wednesday night's game, Indianapolis 1B/RF Steve Pearce was promoted to Pittsburgh for the second time in his career. The 25-year-old hit .259 with 11 HR, 23 doubles and 50 RBI in 79 Triple-A games. The Pirates No. 3 prospect batted .293 with six RBI in 23 big league games a season ago.

A SOLID STRETCH FOR WALKER: Indians INF Neil Walker is hitting .318 (7-22) with two runs, one double, one homer and seven RBI over his last six games. The 22-year-old leads the Tribe in home runs (13) and ranks 2nd in runs (46) and RBI (44).

AMONG THE LEAGUE LEADERS: Tribe OF Andrew McCutchen ranks among the International League's leaders for stolen bases (4th, 23), hits (5th, 92), games played (T-5th, 83), walks (T-9th, 38) and doubles (T-10th, 19).

A NICE MONTH FOR BIXLER: Indians INF Brian Bixler recorded a .294 batting average, .510 slugging percentage, .327 on-base percentage, four homers, 10 RBI and 18 runs in 26 games during the month of June. The 25-year-old owns a .265 BA with five HR and 16 RBI in 35 Triple-A contests.

FACING THE DIVISION: Indianapolis is in the midst of 21 straight games against International League West Division opponents. From June 27 through July 20, the Indians are scheduled to battle Columbus 11 times, Louisville six times and Toledo on four occasions.

LEHIGH VALLEY IRONPIGS

FORMER MAJORS LEAGUERS: RHP Kris Benson and RHP Brett Myers both pitched for the IronPigs this week. Benson started at Coca-Cola Park on Sunday vs. Syracuse (L, 4 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 1 K). Myers went on Wednesday vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (L, 5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K).

FORE!: The IronPigs set a franchise-record with a 4-game winning streak 6/25-6/28 -- the longest by a Phillies' Triple-A affiliate since Ottawa won 4 straight 4/14-4/19/07 -- the Lynx longest winning streak of 2007. The Phillies' Triple-A affiliates have not won 5 straight since SWB, 8/11-8/15/06.

TERRIFIC TUESDAY: LHV scored a season-high 12 runs in a 12-5 win to split a two-game series in Rochester. The 'Pigs tied a franchise-record with 7 runs in the 3rd -- and set new highs with 8 hits in the inning and by sending 12 men to the plate. They also set a new high by turning 4 DPs. Every member of the lineup scored at least 1 R except for Mike Rouse (ironic, because he scored the only run in a 2-1 loss Monday). Andy Tracy and Jon Knott tied franchise records with 3 R each, and Knott also tied a team-high with 4 hits. LHP Les Walrond won for the first time in 9 GS (since 5/13).

WHO'S HOT (OFFENSE): 1B Andy Tracy has hit in 8 of his last 9 G (14-32, .438-2-7); 15 of his last 17 G (26-56, .464-3-12) and in 22 of his last 27 G (40-91, .440-4-18) raising his AVG by .68 pts!... OF Jon Knott has homered in 5 of his last 13 G and hit in 18 of his last 24 G (30-87, .345-5-21, 8 2B)... SS Mike Rouse has hit in 5 of last 7 G (12-26, .462-0-2, 4 2B) with multi-hit G in 4 of last 5. At .255, Rouse is at highest AVG w/ LHV... INF Oscar Robles has a 3-G hit streak (8-13, .615-1-5)... OF T.J. Bohn has hit in 6 of his last 8 G (11-30, .367-1-3, 5 2B) and is batting a season-high .200...

C Jason Jaramillo has hit in 25 of his last 29 G (.340-2-16, 36-106, 15 R)... 3B Brennan King has hit in 5 of his last 6 G (7-24, 4 RBI) and in 27 of his last 37 (40-134, .299-4-22) -- raising his AVG from .212 to .252. On defense, he has 1 E in his last 62 G (went 46 consecutive G w/o an E).

WHO'S HOT (PITCHING): The LHV bullpen is 2-0, 2 SV, 1.74 (20.2 IP, 4 ER) in the last 5+ G... RHP Matt Childers is 3-0 with 8 SV and a 0.92

(19.2 IP, 2 ER) in his last 15 G... LHP Stephen Randolph is unscored upon in his last 3 G (3.1 IP) -- retiring his last 11 BF... LHP Travis Blackley is

3-2, 2.93 (40 IP, 13 ER) in his last 5 GS. In addition, the 'Pigs are 7-2 in the last 9 G he has started -- all after he came of the DL (groin) on 5/19.... LHP J.A. Happ has gone 3-1, 2.51 (32.1 IP, 24 H, 9 ER) in his last 5 GS.

LOUISVILLE BATS

BATS ALL-STARS: The International League has announced its All-Stars for the upcoming game at Louisville Slugger Field on July 16 and the Bats have two named to the IL team. RHP Jon Adkins and C Ryan Hanigan will represent the Bats at Louisville Slugger Field in two weeks. This season, Adkins is 1-3 with 14 saves and a 3.46 ERA in 34 relief appearances. Adkins' 14 saves are third-best in the League and Hanigan is 5th in the IL in base stealing percentage; he's thrown out 35% of would-be base stealers. Hanigan is also batting a team-best .295 and is currently on a six-game hitting streak which is tied for his longest this season (4/29-5/9). Last season, Louisville's All-Stars were LHP Phil Dumatrait and 1B Joey Votto.

BARKER CLOSING IN: IB Kevin Barker is closing in on numerous franchise records, and is just one away from tying the all-time RBI record of 227. Barker has worn the Louisville uniforms of the Redbirds ('98), RiverBats ('99) and Bats ('08), and in three seasons, he has a career Louisville avg. of .270 (309-1,143) with 56 home runs and 226 RBI. Barker had a nine-game hitting streak (6/15-6/26) where he batted .353 (12-34) during that time.

BRING ON JULY: With their first losing month since July, 2007 behind them (13-15 in June 2008) and the end of Louisville's four-month winning streak (Aug. 2007-May, 2008), the Bats are looking to end their July woes after five straight losing months of July (2003-present). The Bats had their first losing June since 2005 when the team went 14-15. The last time Louisville had a winning month of July was 2002 (17-11).

NORFOLK TIDES

GOING STREAKING: With a home run in yesterday's win, Oscar Salazar extended his hitting streak with Norfolk to 13 games. Over that stretch, Salazar has hit .396 (21-53) with three homers and 14 runs batted in, and he's collected multiple hits in six of his last nine games. Salazar had hit safely in 10 straight games before his contract was selected by Baltimore on June 10, and he has hit safely in his first three games back with the Tides, collecting two homers and six RBI in those three games. The longest hit streak in the IL this season is 21 games, set by Tides catcher Omir Santos.

SIZZLING SOUTHPAW: With another scoreless inning Tuesday, Tides reliever Alberto Castillo lowered his ERA to 1.14, and he has now turned in 12 consecutive scoreless outings covering 13.2 innings, the longest scoreless innings stretch for a Tides pitcher this year. Castillo has been especially tough on left-handed hitters, as the 32-year-old has held them to an .079 average against (3-38) this season.

SANTOS A STAR: The International League Wednesday announced the roster for the Triple-A All-Star Game, and catcher Omir Santos was selected to represent the Tides when the game is played in Louisville on Wednesday, July 16. Santos has hit .299 with a homer and 20 RBI this season, and he is the author of the IL's longest hitting streak this year, a 21-game stretch from May 12 to June 19. Santos is the fifth different Tides catcher to be named to the Triple-A All-Star Game, joining Todd Hundley (1991), Vance Wilson (2000 & 2001), Jason Phillips (2002) and J.R. House (2007).

PAWTUCKET RED SOX

A FIVE STAR RATING: The Pawtucket Red Sox - the club with the best record in Triple-A Baseball (55-33) and the third best record in organized baseball behind only Frisco & San Jose - are pleased to announce that a club-record five PawSox players will participate in the 2008 Triple-A All-Star Game that will be played on July 16 at Louisville Slugger Field. Outfielders Jeff Bailey and Chris Carter along with 2B Joe Thurston and starting pitcher Charlie Zink have all been elected as starters on the 2008 International League All-Star Team while OF Jonathan Van Every was selected to the team as well.

Charlie Zink, 28, has been with the PawSox for parts of four seasons but is having his finest season this year going 8-2 with a 2.63 ERA in 17 starts. His ERA is second best in the International League and he is tied for 6th with his 8 victories. He is also 4th in the League in innings pitched (102.2). A knuckleballer, Charlie has not lost since May 5 and went through a stretch of 8 starts during which he was 5-0 with a 0.83 ERA (6 ER in 65.1 IP) from May 11 - June 17.

Joe Thurston, 28, is currently leading the International League in both batting (.324) and in hits (100) along with 18 doubles (tied for the team-lead),

6 HR, 42 RBI, and 13 SB (also tied for the club-lead) in 77 games (57 at 2B, 23 in the OF, and 1 at SS). He also has 12 bunt singles this season. Joe spent about a week with Boston this April and has also played in the majors with the Dodgers (2002-04) and with the Phillies (2006). Thurston played in the 2006 Triple-A All-Star Game for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Jeff Bailey, 29, has been among the top offensive players in the League this season during this his fifth year with the PawSox. He is hitting .294 with 22 HR (3rd in the League) along with 58 RBI (tied for 3rd) in 76 games (41 at 1B and 28 in the outfield). Bailey is tied for the IL lead with 67 runs scored, is 2nd in slugging pct. (.595), 3rd in extra-base hits (41), and 5th in on-base pct. (.398). He was moved into the lead-off spot in the PawSox line-up in late-April for the first time in his career and has subsequently led-off the 1st inning with a home run six different times since. He has also had five 2 HR games this season. Jeff appeared in three games with the Red Sox this June and made his big league debut with Boston in July of 2007.

Chris Carter, 25, is in his first full season in the Red Sox organization after being acquired from the Washington Nationals (via Arizona) last August for Wily Mo Pena. He has been one of the most consistent hitters in the League this season batting .292 in 83 games with 18 doubles (tied for the club-lead) along with 16 HR (all since May 7) and 58 RBI (tied for 3rd in the League). He is 4th in the IL in hits (93) and tied for 4th in extra-base hits (35). Chris made his Major League debut with the Red Sox this June 5 and went 2-3 in his only game before being optioned back to Pawtucket. He entered this year with a career batting average of .310 in his first four Minor League seasons.

Jonathan Van Every, 28, is coming off a torrid month of June (.313 with 12 HR & 24 RBI during the month) and has been selected as a reserve on the IL All-Star team. Overall he is batting .286 in 82 games (all in CF) with 21 HR (4th in the League) along with 49 RBI. He is 3rd in the IL with 61 runs scored and 4th in slugging pct. (.571). He was signed by the Red Sox as a free agent this past off-season after spending seven years in the Cleveland organization including parts of the last two seasons with Buffalo. He is the top defensive outfielder in the league (statistically) making no errors in 217 total chances. Jonathan also tied a team-record with a 3 HR game on June 29 at Rochester. He made his Major League debut with Boston on May 14 (going 1-3 at Baltimore) before returning to Pawtucket.

RICHMOND BRAVES

SHUTTING THE DOOR: The Braves bullpen has worked 10.2 consecutive scoreless innings, going back to the 7th inning of Monday's game. Richmond relief pitchers have allowed just one run in their last 17.1 innings while allowing just nine hits and striking out 18 over a four game stretch.

KEEP IT CLOSE: The Braves played their 25th one-run game of the season Tuesday night (they are 14-11). Richmond, while over .500 in one and two run games (23-16 total), is 16-32 in games decided by more than two runs.

THE LATE UNPLEASANTNESS: The Braves have lost five consecutive games, equaling their second longest losing streak of the season (they dropped seven straight in late-May). Being nine games under .500 and nine games out of 1st place are both season lows. The last time the Braves were more than nine under .500 or nine games out of 1st was the end of the 2006 season. The Braves have dropped 12 of their last 14 games.

ROCHESTER RED WINGS

ONCE, TWICE, THREE TIMES A VAN EVERY: Pawtucket outfielder Jonathan Van Every became the first opponent to hit three home runs in a game since Columbus outfielder Torey Lovullo (current Buffalo Bisons manager) hit three home runs vs. Rochester August 22, 1992 at Silver Stadium. Van Every became only the 10th opponent to hit three home runs in a game vs. Rochester in their 121 seasons in the International League.

WELCOME BACK: LHP Francisco Liriano is rounding into his 2005 form his last six starts (all in June), going 5-0 with a 3.93 ERA. In 36.2 innings of work, Liriano has allowed 17 runs (16 earned) on 37 hits while walking just eight and striking out 38. Liriano has been really good at Frontier Field this season going 3-2 with a 3.31 ERA and has allowed just four earned runs in his last 26.2 innings pitched at Frontier (1.35 ERA last four starts).

WE WANT FIREWORKS IN JULY: The Red Wings look to have their fourth consecutive winning month of July (18-13 in 2007, 17-13 in 2006 and

15-13 in 2005). Since the 2000 season Rochester has just a 109-129 record in July. However, not all July's are bad. The 1997 Wings had a 23-6 record in July, the best one month record since month-to-month records started being kept in 1980. Going into the 2008 season, July is the winningest month Rochester has (425-408 record) since month-to-month records started being kept in 1980.

SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE YANKEES

TAKING A BITE OF THE APPLE : Reliever David Robertson joined the Yankees in time for their interleague game last weekend against the New York Mets. Robertson becomes the eighth pitcher off the SWB roster that began the 2008 season in the minors to get promoted to the New York Yankees. The right-hander joins Jonathan Albaladejo, Chris Britton, Dan Giese, Scott Patterson, Edwar Ramirez, Darrell Rasner and Jose Veres, who have all gotten the big league nod this season.

TAKING A BITE OF THE APPLE II: Earlier this week Brett Gardner became the fifth SWB Yankees position player on this season's opening day roster to get the call to the big leagues to join the New York Yankees. Gardner joins Alberto Gonzalez, Chad Moeller, Chris Stewart and Justin Christian as the five non-pitchers to take a trip to the Big Apple this season.

ROAD WARRIORS: The Yankees are currently in a stretch that will see the team play 25 of 35 games away from PNC Field. SWB has played three at Buffalo (6/27-29) and will play six at Lehigh Valley (7/2-3 & 7/17-20), four at Toledo (6/6-9), four at Columbus (6/10-13), two at Rochester (7/27-28), four at Syracuse (7/29-8/1) and two at Pawtucket (8/2-3).

TEN DAYS TO REMEMBER: It's been a pretty good week-and-a-half for Yankees outfielder Justin Christian. He made his Major League debut on June 24 going 2-4 with a two-RBI double at PNC Park in Pittsburgh and played in five games for the Bronx Bombers in the outfield. In his first game back with SWB on July 1, his 6th inning homer against Buffalo tied the score at 2-2 in a game the Yankees won 5-2. Wednesday he was named as the Yankees lone player representative in the Triple-A All-Star Game at Louisville on July 16.

IT'S NOT OVER 'TIL IT'S OVER: All three wins on the Yankees current three-game winning streak have been come-from-behind victories. In two games against Buffalo in the recent two-game series at PNC Field, the Yankees trailed going into the 9th on Monday and into the 6th on Tuesday. SWB trailed Lehigh Valley heading into the 5th inning in the opening game of the two-game series on Wednesday before coming from behind again to pick up the win. The Yankees have now picked up 19 come from behind wins on the season.

SYRACUSE CHIEFS

MR. DAVIS GOES TO KOREA: The Toronto Blue Jays released right handed pitcher Kane Davis on July 1 and sold his contract to Hanwha in the Korean League. Davis had won 6 games with the Chiefs this season in 15 starts. He becomes the second Chiefs pitcher to leave in July and go to Korea - last season the Jays sold the contract of right-handed pitcher Jason Scobie who went 8-10 with a 3.92 ERA.

RICHMOND GOES TO SYRACUSE: After losing Kane Davis to Korea and John Parrish to Toronto the Chiefs brought up right-handed pitcher Scott Richmond from Double-A New Hampshire to fill the void. In his first start he went 6.0 innings giving up only 1 run. Last season Richmond pitched in the Northern League and was 10-9 with a 4.26 ERA for Edmonton.

WOLFE RETURNS FROM TORONTO: Right-handed pitcher Brian Wolfe was optioned to Syracuse after the Blue Jays recalled left-handed pitcher John Parrish who replaced Shawn Marcum in the Jays rotation. Wolfe immediately assumed the closer role in the Chiefs bullpen.

PLAYERS ON THE MEND: Chiefs catcher Robinzon Diaz, who was injured on May 3 vs. Pawtucket, has started his rehab in Dunedin, Florida with the Gulf Coast Blue Jays. Diaz is expected to spend 10 days in Florida before returning to the Chiefs. Jays second baseman Aaron Hill, now out of action for three weeks, will likely join the Chiefs before the All-Star break to begin his comeback after suffering a concussion back in early June.

TOLEDO MUD HENS

ALL-STAR HENS: Three Toledo Mud Hens were named to the 2008 IL All-Star team. 3B Mike Hessman will make his second All-Star appearance. He will be joined by teammates OF Brent Clevlen and RHP Blaine Neal, both making their first appearance. Hessman hit a 2-run HR in the 2007 Triple-A All-Star Game.

CLEVLEN'S INFLUENCE: Clevlen's 44-game on-base streak did come to a halt, but it does seem his performance is tied to the team's success. During the streak, the team was 28-16. The Hens' record when Clevlen reaches base is 40-20 (.667) and when he gets a hit it is 34-16 (.680). This season, when he does not reach base the team is 4-6.

THREE BAGGERS: The Hens are 2nd in the IL with 30 triples, including eight from OF Freddy Guzman. Guzman leads all of professional baseball with 14 triples between Toledo and Double-A Erie. The extra base-hits seem to be a theme for the slugging Mud Hens as of late, even when they get the call to the big leagues. After C Dane Sardinha had his contract purchased by Detroit June 25, he collected his first Major League hit June 29, a game-winning two-run triple against the Colorado Rockies. The next day OF Matt Joyce hit a game-tying run scoring triple against the Minnesota Twins, later scoring the game winning run.

CHASING HISTORY: Toledo has an eye-popping 130 home runs this season and are on pace to slug 220 by season's end. The all-time IL record for long bombs in a season is 232 set in 1932 by Baltimore. Aside from the team record, third baseman (and recent shortstop) Mike Hessman is sitting with 288 career Minor League home runs.

CONSISTENCY IS KEY: The Mud Hens are playing winning baseball both at home and on the road. Toledo has the third-best winning percentage in the IL at home .565 (26-20) and on the road .561 (23-18). Even more notable is the fact that the Hens have now established quite a track record of winning outside of just this season. After closing out the month of June with a 15-13 record, Toledo has had a .500 or better record in seven straight months dating back to May 2007.

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International League Stories from July 3, 2008


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.


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