Strasburg Named April Player Of The Month

May 7, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1) News Release

Portland, ME - The Eastern League is pleased to announce that Harrisburg Senators starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg has been selected as the Eastern League Player of the Month for the month of April. Strasburg made his professional debut for the Senators on April 11th at Altoona and gave up one earned run on four hits and two walks while striking out eight batters over five innings of work to earn the win as the Senators downed the Curve 6-4. The 21-year old also made strong contributions to the win with his bat, going 1-for-2 with an RBI double and one run scored. About the only thing that slowed down the 6'4-, 220 lb. right-hander in his final three starts during the month was Mother Nature, as his home debut was cut short to just 2.1 innings because of a rain delay. In those final three starts during the opening month of the season Strasburg allowed just one unearned run on three hits and one walk while striking out 15 batters over 12.1 innings. Among those performances was a start on April 27th at Reading in which the San Diego, California native struck out six batters and did not issue a walk while pitching five no-hit innings in a 1-0 victory in the opening game of a doubleheader. The only batter to reach base against Strasburg in that game came when a batter struck out swinging and reached first base on a passed ball.

Stephen made one final start for the Senators on May 2nd , taking his first career loss after giving up three earned runs in 4.2 innings against the Altoona Curve. Just two days later it was announced Strasburg had received a promotion to the Syracuse Chiefs where he is scheduled to make his Triple-A debut tonight against the Gwinnett Braves. At the time of his promotion Strasburg was tied for the league lead in strikeouts (27) and was also among the league leaders in WHIP (0.86-2nd ), batting average against (.165-3rd ), ERA (1.64-4th ) and wins (3-tied 5th ).

Stephen, who entered the season rated by Baseball America as the second best prospect in all of baseball, was selected by the Washington Nationals with the first overall pick in the 2009 draft after going 13-1 with 195 strikeouts and a 1.32 ERA while surrendering only 65 hits in 109 innings of work during his junior season at San Diego State University.

Eastern League Stories from May 7, 2010

• Bats Abandon Baysox Pitching - Chesapeake Baysox
• New Hampshire Spoils Antonini Gem with 7-5 Come-From-Behind Win - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
• Richmond Wins Debut Matchup Against Senators - Harrisburg Senators
• Richmond Records Franchise-Record Six Double Plays in Series-Opening Triumph - Richmond Flying Squirrels
• Fisher Cats stage big comeback to beat Mets 7-5 Friday night - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
• Thunder Pitching Secures 1-0 Victory Over Bowie - Trenton Thunder
• SeaWolves Blank Curve, 3-0 - Altoona Curve
• Portland overcomes Rock Cats - New Britain Rock Cats
• Portland improves to 7-0 against the Rock Cats - Portland Sea Dogs
• 'Wolves...Below Shut Out Curve 3-0 - Erie SeaWolves
• Strasburg Named The El Player Of The Month - Harrisburg Senators
• Erie SeaWolves At Altoona Curve...Game One Of Three...Game Notes - Erie SeaWolves
• Richmond Flying Squirrels Game Notes - Richmond Flying Squirrels
• Baysox Beer Dinners Return - Chesapeake Baysox
• Baysox Look For Beards - Chesapeake Baysox
• Strasburg Named April Player Of The Month - EL1
• Flying Squirrels Announce Transactions - Richmond Flying Squirrels

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