IL1 International League

Watson Hits In Six More To Make History, Streak At 43 And Counting

Published on June 18, 2007 under International League (IL1) News Release


The International League announced today that Columbus outfielder Brandon Watson and Indianapolis pitcher Shane Youman have been named the League's Batter and Pitcher-of-the-Week for the period from June 11-17. Watson is the 2nd member of the Clippers to win Batter-of-the-Week honors in 2007, joining fellow outfielder Darnell McDonald (April 30-May 6). Youman is the third member of the Indians to be honored with an IL weekly award this season, following Ryan Doumit (April 16-22) and John Van Benschoten (May 7-13).

Columbus Clippers center fielder BRANDON WATSON collected 12 hits this week (T-1st in IL). None was more important than the last of his 12 hits, a single in the 6th inning of yesterday's game off of Ottawa right-hander John Ennis. The base knock extended Watson's hitting streak to 43 games, breaking the previous International League record of 42 games set by Rochester's Jack Lelivelt in 1912. Watson has now hit safely in every game since May 1, and he showed no signs of slowing down this week. In the past six games, he hit .462 (12-26), raising his 2007 average to .338, 2nd in the League. His 77 hits are good for 4th in the IL. 15 times during his streak Watson has collected multiple hits in one game, including four times during the past week. He went 3-4 and drove in two runs June 12 against Syracuse, then following an off day Wednesday, he enjoyed a 3-5 night with a double Thursday at Ottawa. He also stole his 12th base in that contest, giving him the most of any Columbus Clipper this year.

25-year-old Brandon Watson is in his ninth professional season. After being drafted by Montreal in 1999, he remained in the Expos/Nationals organization through 2006, playing 34 games with Washington in 2005-06 before being claimed off waivers by Cincinnati. The Nationals signed Watson as a Minor League free agent this April, brining him back to the organization for a ninth-straight season. Watson is a native of Los Angeles, CA.

Indianapolis southpaw SHANE YOUMAN entered the week with just one win in 11 starts and an ERA of 5.50, but with two strong outings he has turned his season around considerably. Youman's record improved from 1-5 to 3-5 this week, and his ERA dropped by more than a full run to 4.44. Both wins came on the road for an Indianapolis team that is fighting to stay in 1st place with a 40-28 record (2.0 games ahead of Toledo). Youman pitched 8.0 shutout innings June 11 in Charlotte, scattering four hits and striking out a season-high six batters on his way to a 2-0 victory over the Knights. Youman made it back-to-back wins Saturday night in Durham by leading the Tribe to a 5-1 triumph over the Bulls. He went 7.1 innings, allowing just one earned run on six hits and striking out 10 for a new season-high. His 16 strikeouts this week gave Youman a club-best 50 on the year.

27-year-old Shane Youman is in his sixth year as a member of the Pittsburgh organization after being drafted by the Pirates in 2001. In 2006 he was a mid-season and postseason All-Star in the Double-A Eastern League, going 7-2 with a 1.51 ERA for Altoona. He also made his Triple-A and Major League debuts last season, going 4-0 with Indianapolis and 0-2 with Pittsburgh. Youman is a native of New Iberia, LA.

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International League Stories from June 18, 2007


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