Joe Bircher Named AA Pointstreak Pitcher of The Week
Published on July 26, 2016 under American Association (AA)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release
SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Sioux Falls Canaries are excited to announce the LHP Joe Bircher has been named the American Association Pointstreak Pitcher of the Week for the week ending July 24th.
Bircher, 26, put together a pair of fantastic performances July 19th against the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks, and July 24th against the Grand Prairie AirHogs, but unfortunately picked up a pair of no-decisions along the way. The Omaha, NE native allowed just two runs on five hits while striking out 17 batters over 13 combined innings of work.
Bircher's big week got underway at home on July 19th in the opening game of a three-game series against the Redhawks. The southpaw gave up two runs on three hits over six innings in the Canaries 5-4 win on Tuesday night. Bircher held the dangerous Redhawks lineup scoreless over the first four innings, racking up four strikeouts before giving up a two-run home run to Brian Humphries in the top of the 5th inning.It was the only blunder of the night for Bircher, who totaled seven strikeouts for the second consecutive game, and reached seven or more K's for the 5th time in his career.
The third year Canary made his second start of the week in the series finale of a three-game, weekend series against the Texas AirHogs. The left-hander was dominant in his best overall performance of the season, holding the potent AirHogs lineup scoreless over seven shutout innings. Bircher's only walk of the afternoon came against the second batter of the game, but he was simply dominant after that. The former Houston Astro's farm-hander retired 20 of his final 22 batters faces, striking out a career high 10 batters in the series finale.
Bircher's performance of the last week has been a perfect example of the season, and really his entire career with the Canaries. He currently holds a 1-6 record to go along with an impressive 3.13 ERA, ranking him the 9th best individual pitcher in the American Association this season.
"We as an organization are really happy that Joe is being recognized for his hard work and dedication to this ball club," said Canaries General Manager Duell Higbe. "Joe is the anchor of our rotation has been for the past two years. He goes about his business and simply gets guys out. His win/loss record is hard to believe given how well his has thrown this season."
Bircher has been one of the more efficient left-handers in the league over the last three seasons, making 48 career starts with the Canaries since the start of the 2014 season. The left-hander has posted a 9-20 record overall record to go along with his 4.01 ERA. He has pieced together 31 quality starts (six innings with no more than three earned runs allowed) in his three seasons with the Birds. Bircher holds an 8-11 record with 12 no-decisions during that span.
This is the first American Association Pointstreak Pitcher of the Week award for Bircher, and the first individual award handed out to a member of the Sioux Falls Canaries this season.
American Association Stories from July 26, 2016
- Lemurs Even Series up with 4-2 Final - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Rough Fifth Does in Saints in 8-5 Loss to Explorers - St. Paul Saints
- Rosario's Complete Game Helps RailCats Rebound With 7-2 Win - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Four-Run Second Propels Wingnuts Past Lincoln - Wichita Wingnuts
- Goldeyes and RedHawks Rained Out - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- X'S SNAP FOUR GAME LOSING STREAK WITH 8-5 VICTORY ON TUESDAY - Sioux City Explorers
- 'Dogs Outhit Nuts But Fall in Wichita - Lincoln Saltdogs
- RailCats Sign Two College Stars - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Hamilton Placed on Inactive List - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Wingnuts Chavez Snags Player of the Week Honors - Wichita Wingnuts
- Joe Bircher Named AA Pointstreak Pitcher of The Week - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Perez Gem, Five-Run Fourth Lead Blasters to Home Win - Joplin Blasters
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.
