FL Joliet Slammers

May 17 Joliet Slammers Game Notes

Published on May 17, 2012 under Frontier League (FL)
Joliet Slammers News Release


JOLIET SLAMMERS 56-40 (2011) @ WINDY CITY THUNDERBOLTS 48-48 (2011)

Thursday, May 17- 7:05 p.m. CT

Standard Bank Stadium - Crestwood, IL Game #1 - Road Game #1 56-40 (2011), 27-21 (20111) RHP #19 Gaby Hernandez (0-0) vs. RHP #34 Steven Sauer (0-0)

A brief look back at 2011...

In their first season of existence the Slammers won the Frontier League title as they defeated the River City Rascals three games to one in the championship series. The Slammers were also the champions of the east division during the regular season. They had four players named to the All-Star Game (DH Erik Lis, OF Josh Flores, RHP Ryan Quigley and OF Bobby Leeper) and one player named to the post-season All League team (Quigley). Andrew Moss threw the franchise's first no-hitter on July 27 in Avon, Ohio against the Lake Erie Crushers. After the season Bart Zeller earned the Frontier League Manager of the Year award. During the season LHP Aaron Dott was signed by the New York Yankees and after the season RHP Ryan Quigley and RHP Chris Pack were signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Slammers became the first team since Lake Erie (2009) to win the title in their first season.

For Starters...

RHP Gaby Hernandez gets the start for Joliet tonight. He brings eight seasons of affiliated baseball experience to the Slammers. Hernandez hails from Miami, FL and competed against current Slammers pitcher Tommy Mendoza in high school. Hernandez was an All-Star at the Double-A level in 2007 with the Carolina Mudcats. He earned "Pitcher of the Week" honors two times at the Triple-A level in the Pacific Coast League. Hernandez was twice traded for MLB All-Stars. In 2008 he was traded to the Florida Marlins for four-time All-Star Paul Lo Duca. Later that season Hernandez was traded to the Seattle Mariners for Arthur Rhodes, who would go on to make the MLB All-Star Game at the age of 40 in 2010.

A new closer...

2011 saw Joliet native Ryan Quigley set the Frontier League record for saves in a single season with 28. After the season concluded, Quigley was signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He is now in the San Diego Padres organization with the High-A Lake Elsinore Storm of the California League. In steps RHP Amalio Diaz to take Quigley's place. Diaz, 25, brings Triple-A experience to the Slammers as he reached that level at the age of 21. Last season Diaz appeared mostly out of the bullpen with the Salt Lake Bees of the Pacific Coast League.

Triple-A talent...

The Slammers boast five players who have played at Triple-A level during their careers, one step below the major leagues. DH Erik Lis played for the Rochester Red Wings of the International League in 2010. Utility man Abel Nieves played for the Salt Lake Bees of the Pacific Coast League in 2006, 2009 and 2010. RHP Gaby Hernandez has played for the Albuquerque Isotopes, Tacoma Rainiers, Omaha Royals, Charlotte Knights and Reno Aces during his four years at the Triple-A level. RHP Amalio Diaz pitched for the Salt Lake Bees of the PCL in 2010 and 2011. Meanwhile RHP Tommy Mendoza also pitched for Salt Lake in 2009 and 2010.

Player-Coach...

DH Erik Lis is going to use his Triple-A experience well this season as he's also serving as the team's hitting coach. Lis has seven seasons of professional baseball experience.

Against Windy City...

The Slammers finished 4-8 last season against the ThunderBolts. Windy City was one of only three teams to finish 2011 with a winning record against the Slammers.

Mr. Versatility...

Abel Nieves can play practically any position. During the preseason he played every infield spot except pitcher and catcher. He also spent time in left field and right field. Nieves figures to play all over the diamond for Joliet in 2012.

Preseason success...

Joliet finished the preseason with a record of 4-1.

Check out the Joliet Slammers Statistics

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Frontier League Stories from May 17, 2012


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