Texas Leaguers take center stage

Published on October 11, 2005 under Texas League (TL1) News Release

With last night's 5-3 victory over the New York Yankees, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim became the last team to advance to baseball's version of the "Final Four", joining the Chicago White Sox in the American League Championship Series, while the Houston Astros and the St. Louis Cardinals will face off in the National League Championship Series.

Former Texas Leaguer Ervin Santana made his first career post-season appearance in last night's win over the Yankees. Santana came on for Angels starter Bartolo Colon in the top of the second inning, after Colon was removed with an inflamed right shoulder. After allowing the Yankees to take a 2-0 advantage, the former Arkansas Traveler settled down, giving up just one more run in his final 4.1 innings. The right-hander allowed a total of three runs on five hits in 5.1 innings, in earning the victory and sending the Angels to the next round.

Santana's first start of 2005 came against the Springfield Cardinals at Ray Winder Field in Little Rock on April 9th. On that night, Santana threw seven scoreless innings in a 2-0 victory over the Cards. Santana was later promoted from Arkansas to the Major Leagues, where he made his big-league debut on May 17th in Cleveland against the Indians. After being sent down and having a brief stint at Triple-A Salt Lake, Santana returned to the Angels and posted an overall record of 12-8 with an ERA of 4.65 in 23 games.

St. Louis Cardinals players who've spent time on Texas League rosters are highlighted by Jim Edmonds and John Mabry, who played for Midland and Arkansas respectively back in the early 90's. Other Texas Leaguers who've spent significant time in the Texas League include Brad Lidge, Morgan Ensberg, Willy Taveras and Roy Oswalt, who played for the Round Rock Express, a Houston Astros affiliate until 2005.

The ALCS begins tonight in Chicago, as the Angels send Paul Byrd to the mound against Sergio Contreras of the White Sox at 7pm Central. The NLCS kicks off on Wednesday from Busch Stadium in St. Louis, as Chris Carpenter of the Cardinals battles Andy Pettitte of the Houston Astros at 7pm Central.

Texas League Stories from October 11, 2005

• Astros in NLCS - Corpus Christi Hooks
• Texas Leaguers take center stage - TL1

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