Zavada Takes Win in MLB Debut
May 22, 2009 - Frontier League (FL)
Southern Illinois Miners News Release
MIAMI, Fla. - Left-handed pitcher Clay Zavada become the first Southern Illinois Miner to appear in a Major League game Thursday night. He also became the first former Miner to earn a win in a Major League game.
The Arizona Diamondbacks called up Zavada from their double-A affiliate on Thursday, and he pitched a scoreless seventh inning to take home his first Major League victory in the Diamondbacks 4-3 win over the Marlins. Zavada retired all three batters he faced, striking out Emilio Bonifacio and Jeremy Hermida.
Zavada, 24, began the 2008 season with the Miners and went 2-1 with four saves and a 1.72 ERA in 12 appearances before his contract was sold to the Diamondbacks organization on June 18. After posting a 0.51 ERA the rest of the way with the single-A South Bend Silver Hawks, he was added to Arizona's 40-man roster and invited to Major League spring training.
The Streator, Ill. native was called up to the Diamondbacks on May 12, but sent back to double-A the following day without appearing in a game. He appeared in two more games in double-A before being recalled by Arizona on Thursday.
In 11 games this season in double-A, Zavada went 1-0 with a 2.60 ERA in 17.1 innings. He originally signed with the Diamondbacks in 2006 but missed the 2007 season to tend to his family's farm following the death of his father. The SIU Edwardsville grad was ready to quit baseball but gave it one last chance and signed with the Miners. He is the 19th former Frontier League player to make it to the Major Leagues.
The Miners will begin the 2009 season in Evansville tonight. The home opener is scheduled for Friday, May 29 at 7:05 p.m. For the latest news and updates, visit www.southernillinoisminers.com.
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