Lerew Named PCL Pitcher of the Week
Published on August 16, 2010 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
OMAHA, NE - Omaha Royals starter Anthony Lerew today was named the Pacific Coast League's Pitcher of the Week. He became the fourth Royals pitcher in the past five weeks and the fifth Omaha player this season to earn weekly honors from the league office.
Lerew was dominant in two starts for the week that ended Sunday, winning both and posting a 0.56 ERA. The 27-year old right-hander's first win came last Monday at Rosenblatt Stadium, when the Royals cruised to an 11-1 victory over Tacoma. He limited the Rainiers to one run on eight hits over eight innings, walking one and striking out six. Lerew pitched the Royals to a 2-1 win yesterday at Sacramento, blanking the River Cats over eight frames, allowing six hits and two walks while matching his season high with seven strikeouts.
Lerew, who sports long side burns, has shaved his ERA from 3.48 to 3.01 over the past two performances and now ranks third in the PCL ERA race behind Tacoma's Luke French (2.94) and former teammate Bryan Bullington (2.82), who like French is currently pitching in the big leagues. Besides owning a sparkling 3.01 ERA with Omaha, Lerew is 7-3 and has yielded only four home runs in 98.2 innings.
Last week's two starts marked a nice rebound by Lerew, as he had logged an 8.38 ERA in his first two Triple-A outings after being designated for assignment by Kansas City on July 23, clearing waivers and accepting an outright assignment back to Omaha. He has made six starts with the parent Royals this year, going 1-4 with an 8.54 ERA. He began strong, going 1-1 with a 3.63 ERA in his first three big league starts in June, but went 0-3 with an 18.00 ERA in three trips to the hill last month.
Lerew was signed by Kansas City as a minor league free agent in March 2009, after he was released by his original organization, the Atlanta Braves, during Spring Training. He spent all of last season with Double-A Northwest Arkansas, going 10-6 with a 4.09 ERA in 27 starts. He was promoted to Kansas City last September and appeared in three games, including two starts, going 0-1 with a 4.05 ERA. Lerew was selected by the Braves in the 11th round of the 2001 draft and signed by current KC Assistant G.M. J.J. Picollo.
Lerew follows Omaha pitchers Philip Humber, Greg Holland and Gaby Hernandez as recent recipients of Pitcher of the Week honors. Alex Gordon earned PCL Batter of the Week honors for the week that ended May 16th.
The PCL Batter of the Week for last week is Salt Lake's Nick Gorneault. In six games, he was 10-for-23 (.435) with two three home runs and ten RBI. Entering the week, the 31-year old outfielder was batting just .197 with seven homers and 26 RBI in 67 games.
The Royals' next home game is Saturday, August 21st at 7:05 p.m. vs. the Memphis Redbirds. That opens the last ever regular-season home stand at historic Rosenblatt Stadium. The 13-game home stand includes nine games vs. division rivals Memphis and Iowa, as the Royals battle the Redbirds and Cubs for a spot in the PCL playoffs.
For tickets, call (402) 738-5100, or print tickets online at www.oroyals.com .
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 16, 2010
- Redbirds Outlast Sky Sox in 16 - Memphis Redbirds
- Sounds Avoid Sweep, Win 7-6 on Monday - Nashville Sounds
- Aces-Zephyrs Series Finale Washed Out - Reno Aces
- Z's and Aces Finale Postponned Due to Rain - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Sellers Helps Isotopes Earn Split in Portland - Portland Beavers
- Gorneault, Lerew Are Player, Pitcher Of The Week - PCL1
- RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Lerew Named PCL Pitcher of the Week - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Gorneault Named PCL Player of the Week - Salt Lake Bees
- Miller Named Rangers Senior Vice President - Round Rock Express
- 'Topes Regular Season Ends with Monster Homestand - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Royals Final Home Stand to Send Rosenblatt out in Style - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Carp, Rainiers Swim Past Express 8-5 - Round Rock Express
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