Tillman's No-Hitter And Hessman's Four Home Runs Lead To Player Of The Week Honors
Published on May 3, 2010 under International League (IL1) News Release
The International League announced today that Buffalo third baseman Mike Hessman and Norfolk pitcher Chris Tillman have been named the League's Batter and Pitcher of the Week for the period from April 26-May 2. It is the first weekly award in 2010 for both the Bisons and Tides.
MIKE HESSMAN, Buffalo Bisons IL BATTER OF THE WEEK
For the third time in his career, Mike Hessman is the International League Batter of the Week. Hessman led the IL with four home runs and 14 RBI during the past seven days, also finishing near the top of the circuit with a .786 slugging percentage (3rd) and seven runs scored (T-4th). Already Minor League Baseball's active leader in career home runs, Hessman went yard twice Tuesday in Pawtucket for his first multi-homer game of the season. Then on Friday night against Durham, he belted Buffalo's first grand slam since Chris Gimenez hit one in August of 2008. The blast helped Hessman close out April with the League-lead in RBI (24). After adding another long ball and four more RBI in yesterday's defeat of Louisville, Hessman is now 2nd in the IL with 8 home runs on the season, and remains 1st with 28 RBI.
32-year-old Mike Hessman is in his 15th season of professional baseball. During the recently completed decade from 2000 to 2009, he led the International League in games played (899), home runs (201), RBI (556), and runs scored (488). He has played for two Governors' Cup champion clubs (Toledo 2005 & 2006), and was named IL Most Valuable Player in 2007. Hessman is a native of Fountain Valley, California.
CHRIS TILLMAN, Norfolk Tides IL PITCHER OF THE WEEK
On a chilly Wednesday evening at Gwinnett, Chris Tillman tossed the International League's first
9-inning no-hitter in over three seasons. Told by the parent Orioles to "go out and have fun" in the start, Tillman responded by retiring the first 12 batters he faced before issuing a leadoff walk to Brent Clevlen in the 5th inning. After a double play erased Clevlen, Gwinnett's Joe Thurston reached first on an error. He would prove to be the Braves final baserunner. Tillman set down the final 13 hitters, including a ground out to short by Matt Young to end the game and ignite a celebration near the mound. For Tillman, it was his first career complete game. For the Tides, it was their first 9-inning no-hitter since Dave Telgheder beat Pawtucket in May of 1992.
22-year-old Chris Tillman is in his fifth season as a professional player. Tillman was selected by Seattle in the 2nd round of the 2006 draft, and was later dealt to Baltimore as part of the trade for Erik Bedard before the 2008 season. Last year Tillman went 8-6 with a 2.70 ERA for Norfolk, also appearing in 12 games for the Orioles in his first taste of Major League action. Tillman is a native of Anaheim, California.
International League Stories from May 3, 2010
- Tides Doubled by Yankees - Norfolk Tides
- Powell Blanks IronPigs, Indians Win 4-1 - Indianapolis Indians
- PawSox Come up Short against Gwinnett - Pawtucket Red Sox
- G-Braves Win Fifth Straight - Gwinnett Stripers
- Chiefs Win 6-4 in Columbus Comeback - Syracuse Mets
- Bulls Behind Hellickson, End Skid at Four, 10-2 at Rochester - Durham Bulls
- Bisons' 'Game of the Week' to Air on Fridays on WGR Sportsradio 550 AM - Buffalo Bisons
- IronPigs Game Notes - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Bisons Notes - Buffalo Bisons
- Bisons Inf Mike Hessman Named IL Batter Of The Week - Buffalo Bisons
- Tillman's No-Hitter And Hessman's Four Home Runs Lead To Player Of The Week Honors - IL1
- PawSox get pounded by G-Braves - Pawtucket Red Sox
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