Rob and Rog Swap Spots

July 30, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release

GENEVA, IL - The Kane County Cougars, in conjunction with the Oakland Athletics, announced today that pitcher Rob Semerano has been sent to the disabled list as a result of a right shoulder strain which occurred in the team's 6-5 victory over the Swing of Quad Cities last night. Activated to start this evening's 6:00 p.m. contest for the Cougars, right-handed pitcher Michael Rogers looks for his sixth win on the season in game two of the four-game stint with the Swing. The two squads square off in game three tomorrow with a late Sunday start at 6:00 p.m. and in game four on Monday with a business persons' special starting at noon.

The A's picked up Rogers in the 2nd round out of North Carolina State University following a solid final season with the Wolfpack when the righty went 9-4 with a 3.08 ERA and 110 strikeouts. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, the now Florida resident pitched his first professional game for the Short-A Vancouver Canadians (Northwest) in 2004. Prior to landing on the disabled list on July 19 with a lower back strain, Rogers posted a 5-5 mark with a 4.70 ERA and 69 strikeouts for Kane County. Rogers earned Pitcher of the Month honors in May and June for the Cougars, going 4-1 on the month with a 2.68 ERA.

One of the many Cougars to end up on the disabled list this season, Semerano currently boasts a 4-2 record with a 3.28 ERA. Leading the team with ten saves, Semerano hails from Port Jervis, New York. A 2004 graduate from Fordham University, the A's selected the right-hander in the 20th round of last year's June draft, sending him to the Arizona A's (Rookie) to make his professional debut. Posting a 5-1 mark with a 4.08 ERA, Semerano worked 28.2 innings in 2004, collecting 24 strikeouts.

Midwest League Stories from July 30, 2005

• Kernels hit the Taco Bell 10-spot - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• With Casilla's help Kernels finally slay Dragons - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Lugnuts spin shutout of Silver Hawks, 5-0 - Lansing Lugnuts
• Crist Goes the Distance in Bees Win - Burlington Bees
• Casilla, Collins and Gelinas Lead Kernels Past Dayton, 11-7 - Dayton Dragons
• Cougars' Comeback Falls Short on Play at Plate - Kane County Cougars
• Woodard Powers Snappers - Beloit Sky Carp
• Swing cut down Cougars - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Crist pitches a gem against Wisconsin - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Record crowd sees near-miss by the Whitecaps - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Hawks Shutout By Lugnuts - South Bend Silver Hawks
• Chiefs win 12-2 - Peoria Chiefs
• Rob and Rog Swap Spots - Kane County Cougars
• Box Seats Limited for Tonight!! Get Them in Advance - Beloit Sky Carp
• Tampa Bay's second round pick comes to SWM - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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