Southern League Players Of The Week
Published on August 11, 2008 under Southern League (SL1) News Release
MARIETTA, GA - Hitter of the Week ALCIDES ESCOBAR, SS, HUNTSVILLE STARS
Escobar used a big week at the plate to take over as the minor league leader in hits (164) this season. The 21-year-old Escobar led the Southern League with 14 hits during the week, passing teammate Mat Gamel for the top spot in the minors. Escobar hit a two-run homer off Tommy Hanson in his first at-bat of the week in an eventual loss to Mississippi on August 4. Two days later, the All-Star shortstop had two hits and stole three bases in a 3-1 victory at West Tenn, establishing a career high in steals (31). After posting two hits on both Friday and Saturday, the native of Venezuela collected three singles and a double in Sunday's 13-7 victory. Known more for his excellent defense than his offense entering this season, Escobar (.343) trails only teammate Angel Salome (.345) in the league batting race. He also needs 23 hits in Huntsville's final 20 games to equal the Southern League record for hits in a season, established by Kevin Rhomberg in 1981.
AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG Escobar 27 5 14 3 0 1 4 4 .519
Pitcher of the Week TOMMY HANSON, RHP, MISSISSIPPI BRAVES
Hanson continued to rack up the strikeouts during the week, fanning 20 batters in two starts. After beginning the week with a single and a homer allowed to the first two batters he faced, the 21-year-old Hanson rebounded with 12 consecutive scoreless innings. He gave up four hits and struck out 10 batters in a 4-2 victory at Huntsville on August 4, extending his winning streak to five games. A different streak was extended in his next start against Jacksonville six days later. The native of Redlands, CA struck out 10 batters in a third straight outing and allowed just two hits and a walk in six innings. Hanson departed with the game scoreless but the Braves endured an eventual 2-1 loss. Beginning with a no-hitter and 14 strikeouts on June 25, Hanson has gone 4-0 with a 1.52 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings in his last seven starts. Including seven starts in the Carolina League, Hanson is tied for second in the minors with 142 strikeouts in 2008.
W-L IP SO BB H ERA SV Hanson 1-0 12 20 2 6 1.50 0
Southern League Stories from August 11, 2008
- Montgomery Biscuits Roster Transaction - Montgomery Biscuits
- Montgomery Biscuits Roster Transaction - Montgomery Biscuits
- Suns Cook Up Montgomery Biscuits Through Saturday - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Tommy Hanson Named Southern League Hitter of the Week - Mississippi Braves
- Southern League Players Of The Week - SL1
- Harrell shuts down Biscuits 5-0 in series finale - Montgomery Biscuits
- Barons snap Biscuits road win streak at 11 - Montgomery Biscuits
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