Red Wing, Bat Win Player Of The Week Awards
Published on May 19, 2008 under International League (IL1) News Release
The International League announced today that Rochester outfielder Denard Span and Louisville pitcher Matt Maloney have been named the League's Batter and Pitcher-of-the-Week for the period from May 12-18. Both players are the second members of their respective clubs to win an IL Weekly Award in 2008, following Rochester outfielder Darnell McDonald (April 28-May 4) and Louisville pitcher Justin Lehr (April 3-13).
DENARD SPAN, Rochester Red Wings IL BATTER OF THE WEEK
In six games this week, Rochester's Denard Span banged out 13 hits to lead the International League in batting average by more than .100 points over the closest competitor. Five of the six games were multi-hit efforts, including a pair of three-hit games, to give Span a .619 average. Three of his 13 hits were home runs (coming in three consecutive games May 12-14) despite entering the week without a single long ball this season. Span, who also walked six times and doubled three times this week, led the International League in both on-base percentage (.704) and slugging percentage (1.190). He was 2nd in the IL in runs (9) and hits (13). Span made use of his times on base, swiping three bags to pull even with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's Bernie Castro for the League lead in steals (14), this despite being in the Major Leagues for nearly three weeks in April.
24-year-old Denard Span is in his sixth professional season, all within the Twins organization. Span was a first round draft pick in 2002. He first reached Triple-A in 2007, hitting .267 with 3 HR, 55 RBI, and 25 SB in 139 games with Rochester. He was given his first promotion to the Major Leagues in April 2008, posting a .258 average in 12 games. Span is a native of Tampa, FL.
G AVG H AB R 2B 3B HR RBI SLUG BB SB
Week: 6 .619 13 21 9 3 0 3 5 1.190 6 3
Season: 25 .378 34 90 22 6 0 3 9 .544 19 14
MATT MALONEY, Louisville Bats IL PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Louisville's Matt Maloney took an early lead in the IL Pitcher of the Week race on Monday afternoon, falling just two outs shy of a no-hitter in Game 1 of a doubleheader with Richmond. Ultimately Maloney surrendered only two hits and two walks while striking out seven in 7.0 innings for the complete game shutout. The victory was a nice rebound for Maloney, who's most recent loss came to the Braves back on May 2 (4.1 IP, 5 ER). Maloney's first runs of this week were not surrendered until the 7th inning of his second start, which came Sunday against Indianapolis. In 6.1 innings he allowed two runs on five hits, picking up his second victory of the week and fifth of the season. His ERA was lowered by well over a run this week (6.29 to 4.91).
24-year-old Matt Maloney is in his first full season in the Cincinnati organization after being traded from Philadelphia last season in the deal for Kyle Lohse. Maloney's first taste of Triple-A Baseball came with the Louisville Bats last season, going 2-1 with a 3.18 ERA in three starts. Maloney is a native of Huron, OH.
G GS CG SHO W-L ERA IP H R ER BB K SV
Week: 2 2 1 1 2-0 1.35 13.1 7 2 2 3 11 0
Season: 9 9 1 1 5-2 4.91 47.2 51 26 26 14 41 0
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