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ECHL Toledo Walleye

Mike Hessman Named IL Hitter of the Week

August 24, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Toledo Walleye News Release


The International League announced today that Toledo third baseman Mike Hessman and Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre pitcher Josh Towers have been named the League's Batter and Pitcher of the Week for the period from August 17-23. For Hessman, the former International League MVP, this is his first IL weekly award since April 21-27 of 2008. Towers becomes the League's sixth player to win multiple weekly awards this season, joining Justin Lehr (LHV 2x, LOU), Homer Bailey (LOU), Clay Buchholz (PAW), Nelson Figueroa (BUF), and Andy Marte (COL). MIKE HESSMAN, Toledo Mud Hens IL BATTER OF THE WEEK Toledo's Mike Hessman hit .321 (9-28) for the week and led the International League with 4 home runs, 11 RBI, and 8 extra-base hits, while finishing 2nd with an .893 slugging percentage and tied for 5th with 7 runs scored. Though he had just three multi-hit games this month prior to Monday, Hessman enjoyed four two-hit games this week alone. In each of those four games, he had a double and a homer.

More importantly, the Mud Hens won all seven games this week and suddenly find themselves just 4.0 games back in the Wild Card race. Hessman's batting average remains below .220, but he has quietly climbed up the League leader board in the power offensive categories for the season. He is now tied for 4th with 21 homers, tied for 5th with 69 RBI, and 4th with 51 extra-base hits. 31-year-old Mike Hessman is in his 14th season as a professional player. Originally drafted by Atlanta in 1996, Hessman played in the IL for Richmond from 2002-04 before signing with the Tigers as a free agent prior to the 2005 season. Playing with the Mud Hens each year since, Hessman has become the franchise's all-time home run king (139). He was also the 2007 International League Most Valuable Player. Hessman is a native of Fountain Valley, California.

JOSH TOWERS, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees

IL PITCHER OF THE WEEK

Right-hander Josh Towers did not allow a run in back-to-back victories this week. In 12.0 innings pitched, he surrendered just 4 hits and 5 walks while striking out 10. Towers was pitching for the first time since being named IL Pitcher of the Week on August 3. Shortly thereafter he was promoted to New York , only to be designated for assignment one day later when the Yankees needed a roster spot for the newly acquired Chad Gaudin. After clearing waivers and being assigned back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Towers picked up right where he left off. On Monday he blanked Durham for 6.0 frames, holding the Bulls to 2 hits and 3 walks with 5 strikeouts as the Yankees cruised to a 9-3 victory.

Saturday night against Buffalo, Towers delivered a nearly identical performance (W, 6.0 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 5 K) in a much closer 1-0 game. After starting the year 0-4, Towers has now improved to 6-6. He has a 2.98 ERA since joining the Yankees in May. 32-year-old Josh Towers is in his 14th season as a professional player. He is a veteran of 137 Major League games with the Orioles (2001-02) and Blue Jays (2003-07). He spent the 2008 season with Colorado Springs of the Pacific Coast League, going 6-7 with a 6.27 ERA. Towers is a native of Port Hueneme, California.

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