Wingnuts Re-Acquire Frontline Starter Blacksher
Published on July 11, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts acquired right-handed pitcher Derek Blacksher from the Fort Worth Cats in exchange for outfielder Ryan Patterson in a late-Sunday trade.
Blacksher, the American Association's 2009 Right-Handed Pitcher of the Year, was 3-6 in 11 starts and one relief appearance with a 4.55 ERA for the Cats. In 65.1 innings, the 26-year old Blacksher struck out 55, walked 22, and allowed 69 hits. Born in Bridge City, TX, Blacksher allowed three or fewer earned runs in eight of his 11 starts, including a two-hit, 12-strikeout performance versus the Amarillo Sox on June 3rd.
"I am excited to have Derek Blacksher back in a Wingnuts uniform," said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. "He was a key part to our success in 2009, and hopefully can help us make a run to the postseason to finish out this year."
In 2009, Blacksher went 11-2 with a 3.38 ERA for the Wingnuts in 20 starts. Blacksher led the American Association in victories and won his 11th game before anyone else in the league had won 10. The 6-foot, 205-pound Blacksher finished the season seventh in ERA and fifth in strikeouts (93). Incredibly, Blacksher did not allow a home run over his first 111.1 innings in 2009, and yielded just two by the end of the year in 125.0. Blacksher put an exclaimation point on his season with a brilliant performance in Game Three of the Division Series versus Lincoln, working seven and two-thirds scoreless innings to give Wichita a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series.
Blacksher was originally drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 33rd round in 2007 out of McNeese State University. The fifth-year professional entered 2011 with a 26-19 career record with 11 saves and a 4.37 ERA.
Patterson hit .297 with 26 home runs and 116 RBI over 151 games over the last season and a half. Last season, Patterson led the Wingnuts with 15 home runs and 72 RBI, and became the first player in team history to start in every game (96).
"Ryan Patterson has been a huge part of our success offensively over the last two seasons, and will be hard to replace in our lineup," said Hooper. "I wish him nothing but the best! Starting pitching has been a need all year, and sometimes you have to give up something good to get something good in this game."
Blacksher is scheduled to pitch Tuesday night versus Shreveport-Bossier.
The Wingnuts continue their four-game series versus the Captains tonight at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at www.wichitawingnuts.com.
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