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IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Local Kid One Of Three Pitchers Promoted To Pittsburgh

September 3, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis pitchers Bryan Bullington, John Van Benschoten (pronounced "Van BEN-sko-tin") and Dave Davidson have been promoted to Pittsburgh, while Indians Manager Trent Jewett and Hitting Coach Hensley Meulens will also join the Pirates for the remainder of the 2007 big league season.

Pittsburgh's 31-man active roster now contains 17 former Indianapolis Indians -- Bullington, Van Benschoten, Davidson, INF Jose Bautista, RHP Matt Capps, LHP Tom Gorzelanny, INF Matt Kata, LHP Paul Maholm, C Carlos Maldonado, OF Nate McLouth, OF Nyjer Morgan, RHP Franquelis Osoria, C Ronny Paulino, INF Steven Pearce, LHP Juan Perez, RHP Ian Snell, LHP Shane Youman.

In addition to those 17, Pirates INF Jose Castillo, LHP John Grabow and INF Freddy Sanchez have worn the Tribe uniform on Major League rehabilitation assignments during the three-year relationship between the two clubs.

Bullington, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound right-hander, spent all of 2007 with Indianapolis. The 26-year-old was named the Tribe's Comeback Player of the Year after going 11-9 with a 4.00 ERA in 26 starts. He missed all of 2006 due to right shoulder surgery.

Bullington, a former Ball State University star and the No. 1 overall selection in 2002, was credited with the win in the 2007 Triple-A All-Star Game. He registered a team-best 11 quality starts (6+ IP; less than 4 ER) this season, including four straight from April 19 to May 5.

Bullington was honored as the Tribe's April Player of the Month after turning in a 4-0 record and 1.17 ERA in five starts during the season's first month. He also won nine of his first 11 decisions in 2007.

Van Benschoten, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound hurler, spent most of 2007 with Indianapolis. The 27-year-old was named the Tribe's Right-Handed Pitcher of the Year after going 10-7 with a 2.56 ERA in 19 Triple-A starts. He also went 0-5 with a 9.76 ERA in seven starts for the Pirates from June 16 to July 27.

Van Benschoten won seven of his final 11 decisions in 2007. The former Kent State University star fired a seven-inning, complete-game shutout on Aug. 27 vs. Columbus. He also held opponents to a .144 batting average with runners in scoring position and a .200 BA with runners on base.

Van Benschoten was recognized as the Tribe's May Player of the Month after posting a 5-1 record and 2.27 ERA in six starts during the season's second month. He picked up International League Pitcher of the Week honors on two occasions -- May 7-13 (2-0, 0.64) and Aug. 6-12 (2-0, 0.66).

Davidson was one of three players promoted from Double-A Altoona (Pa.) to Indianapolis on Aug. 17. The 23-year-old southpaw managed a 3-1 record and 4.22 ERA in 39 Double-A games. He then recorded a 1.17 ERA in six appearances for the Tribe and won his only Triple-A decision.

Jewett and Meulens just wrapped up their third season together in Indianapolis. During those three campaigns -- all as a Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate -- the Indians spent 442 of 452 in-season days (98%) at .500 or better. The streak included 281 consecutive days from April 22, 2006 to Aug. 28, 2007.

Indianapolis posted a 70-73 overall mark in 2007. The Indians started the year by leading the IL's West Division for 69 straight days, but went just 27-41 after slipping to second place.

Six Indians players have now been promoted to Pittsburgh in the past three days. Pearce, Morgan and Perez were all welcomed to the big leagues this past Saturday.

It marked the the first Major League promotion of Pearce's three-year professional career. The 24-year-old hit .320 with six HR and 17 RBI in 34 contests for the Indians.

It also marked the first Major League call-up in Morgan's fifth professional season. The 27-year-old batted .305 with 10 RBI in 44 Triple-A tilts. He also tied for seventh in the IL with 26 thefts despite missing more than three months due to a dislocated left thumb.

Perez is getting his second taste of the big leagues this year. The 28-year-old posted a 3-2 record and 4.69 ERA in 40 relief appearances for the Tribe. He was a member of the Pirates Opening Day roster and collected eight scoreless appearances before being optioned to Indianapolis on April 24.

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