PCL1 Nashville Sounds

Ruben Mateo Promoted To Pittsburgh

May 19, 2004 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release


Nashville Sounds outfielder Ruben Mateo had his contract purchased by the Pittsburgh Pirates this morning and will be in uniform for the Bucs' doubleheader this evening at PNC Park against the San Diego Padres. The move became necessary when the Pirates placed 2003 Sounds home run leader J.J. Davis on the disabled list with a sprained right pinky finger.

Mateo posted a team-best .316 average (36-for-114) and led the Sounds in almost every major offensive category during his season-opening 35-game stint with the club and currently ranks among the Pacific Coast League leaders in several categories.

The 26-year-old ranks 3rd in the PCL with .711 slugging percentage, is tied for 4th with 11 home runs (10 vs. RHP), ranks 9th with 81 total bases, is tied for 6th with 12 doubles, and is tied for 19th among PCL batters with a team-leading 25 RBI. He also paced Nashville batters with a .391 on-base percentage and 33 strikeouts and did not ground into a double play in 114 at-bats in a Sounds uniform.

Mateo finished his PCL stint on a hot streak at the plate, hitting at a .386 clip (17-for-44) with 13 RBI over his final 15 games with Nashville. Twenty-three of Mateo's 36 hits with the Sounds were for extra bases (ranks 2nd in PCL in XBH).

Mateo -- who previously logged big-league time with Texas (1999-2001) and Cincinnati (2002-03) during his 10-year pro career -- becomes the fourth member of the Sounds to receive a promotion to Pittsburgh this season, following first baseman Carlos Rivera (who has since been optioned back to Nashville), first baseman/outfielder Daryle Ward, and left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez.

No move has been announced to replace Mateo on the active Nashville roster.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 19, 2004


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