IL News and Notes

by IL Press Release
April 26, 2001 - International League (IL1)

IL Press Release

BUFFALO BISONS

HOME SWEET HOME: After returning from Pawtucket on Saturday, April 28 the Bisons will begin a 13-day span in which they will play 11 games at home (3 vs. Scranton/WB, 4 vs. Richmond, 4 vs. Toledo) and two on the road (at Rochester).

The Bisons have posted a record of 8-1 at Dunn Tire Park this season (best start at home for a Bisons' team in the Modern Era) and began the campaign winning their first six games at home. The Herd has hit 14 of their league-leading 22 home runs at home this season while the pitching staff has posted a 2.56 ERA at Dunn Tire Park.

HERD HURLERS HITTING ON ALL CYLINDERS: Several Bisons' pitchers have been enjoying early-season success this year. Starter Richie Lewis has not allowed a run over his first three starts (14.0 IP) while Chris Hammond has garnered wins in his first three starts. Reliever Danys Baez has struck out 15 batters in just 10.2 IP while Roy Smith struck out nine consecutive hitters over two appearances (all four on 4/20 vs. Ottawa and all five on 4/22 vs. Ottawa) posting a 1.38 ERA in six games. The Bisons' pitching staff ranks fourth in the IL with an ERA of 2.94.

CONCERTS COME TO DUNN TIRE PARK: Since the Rich Family purchased the Bisons in 1983 baseball in Buffalo has been more than just nine innings and a hot dog for the fans. Promotions, concerts and special events have been a part of the Bisons' fan experience over the years and this season is no different.

Two star-filled concerts have been scheduled on non-game days at Dunn Tire Park this season. On Monday, May 28 local radio station WKSE-FM 98.5 will hold their "Kiss the Summer Hello" celebration at the ballpark featuring 98 Degrees and Samantha Mumba. The event will also include 10 other national bands yet to be announced. The annual event has attracted between 15,000-20,000 people each year in past concerts.

On Sunday, June 3 as part of local radio station WYRK's 20th Anniversary Concert the "Taste of Country" will take place at the ballpark featuring Travis Tritt, Neal McCoy, Joe Diffie, Kristen Garner, Tammy Cochran, Clay Davidson and Sons of the Desert.

Tickets to both concerts can be purchased through tickets.com and on the phone by calling 1-888-223-6000.

CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS

LIEFER LEADS THE WAY: Only one Knights' player has played in every game this season, infielder/DH Jeff Liefer. In those 20 games, Liefer is batting .257 with 2 home runs and 10 RBI. The 6-3 California native played in 120 games for Charlotte in 2000 and 46 in 1999. His career Charlotte average is .294 (201-for-683) with 43 homers and 135 RBI. He finished the 2000 season second in International League home runs (32) only to former Knight Chad Mottola (34).

MOVE OVER LIU: With his seventh-inning single to left Wednesday afternoon, OF Jeff Inglin extended his hitting streak to ten games, passing INF Liu Rodriguez for the longest hitting streak of the season. During the streak, Inglin is hitting .324 (12-for-37) with three doubles, a home run and five RBI. Rodriguez opened the season with nine consecutive hit games, going .353 (12-for-34), with four doubles, three runs batted in and six runs scored.

COLUMBUS CLIPPERS

AT HOME IN DURHAM: The Clippers finished their Carolina road trip with a 5-2 mark over the seven games. Of note is the three-game sweep of the Bulls in Durham. It is the first time in the history of the head-to-head match-up that Columbus has accomplished the feat at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Including the five games this season, the Bulls vs. Clippers series is tied at 20 wins apiece.

BIG APPLE TRANSFER: The Yankees assigned two players to Columbus this week that added punch. LHP Randy Keisler arrived in time to pitch Sunday in Charlotte. Keisler pitched seven innings of three-hit ball against the Knights in the Clippers' 6-0 victory. Also arriving from the Yankees was 3B Scott Seabol. In his first three games, Scott went 4-13 (.308) with 3 doubles, a home run, 3 RBI, and 4 runs scored. Seabol spent the 2000 season with Double-A Norwich, where he hit .296 and led the team in hits (146), doubles (45), and home runs (20).

RETURN TO THE COOP: This weekend when the Louisville RiverBats come to Cooper Stadium, they will return an old friend to Columbus. Former Clipper and IL batting leader Deion Sanders will arrive for the four-game series. In parts of three seasons, Sanders hit .281 (102-363) in 97 games with the Clippers (62 R, 20 2B, 8 3B, 7 HR, 40 RBI, 26 SB).

DURHAM BULLS

OFF TO A GREAT START: With no more home games this month, it's official....more people have come to Durham Bulls Athletic Park in April than ever before. The Bulls drew 82,751 for the month, surpassing April of ‘95's total of 79,642. That was the year the park opened. April of ‘99 was the previous Triple-A best, when 79,122 attended. The results are positive from the field as well, through Wednesday the Bulls are in first place in the South Division, a spot they've held for all except one day since early in the 2000 season.

A FOOTBALL ATMOSPHERE: The Carolina Panthers caravan rolled into Durham Bulls Athletic Park for the noon game Wednesday. Panthers' lineman Kevin Donnelly, running back Brad Hoover, defensive end Chris Smith and linebacker Mike Minter were among the players who signed autographs and chatted with fans on a cool, damp, windy day that was more conducive to football. Columbus and the Bulls combined to leave 26 runners on base, the Bulls pitchers walked 12 and the game took 3:22 to complete after a 1:23 rain delay at the start.

PLAYER NOTES: Catcher Toby Hall has safely in 12 of his last 13 games. He's 18-54 .333 during the streak with 10 RBI and seven runs scored. Hall and third baseman Jared Sandberg had five of the Bulls six RBI in the three game series sweep to Columbus. First baseman Ron Wright has played four games since missing a week with a bruised elbow. He's been on base in half of his 16 plate appearances with 5 hits, including a three run homer and three walks since his return. Right-hander Tony Fiore has not allowed a run in his eight appearances. He's allowed just three hits 11.1 innings with six strikeouts and four walks.

INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS

NINE-GAME HITTING STREAK: Mike Coolbaugh extended his hitting streak last night to a season-high nine games. Coolbaugh has proven to be the Tribe's most reliable hitter this season, hitting safely in 17 of 19 games he's played. He ranks among the league leaders in eight offensive categories. He leads the league in hits, extra-base hits (tie), runs, and doubles. He is second (tie) in RBI and fifth in both average and slugging percentage. During his current nine-game streak, he is hitting .306 (11-for-36) with 9 R, 9 RBI, 5 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR and 3 BB with an .833 slugging percentage.

BREAKING OUT: The Indians have had 10 or more hits in three straight games, plating 26 runs and recording three wins. The Tribe is now 9-0 on the year in games when the have at least 10 hits.

LOUISVILLE RIVERBATS

PRIMETIMED FOR A CALL-UP: Deion Sanders earned IL Batter-of-the-Week honors for the week of 4/16-22. Sanders is currently sporting a 9-game hitting streak (.636, 21-33) and has collected multiple hits in each contest. Due to a Major League Baseball stipulation, Sanders is ineligible to play for Cincinnati until Tuesday, May 1.

THE THUNDER ROLLS: Thunder Over Louisville, an annual fireworks extravaganza which kicks off the Kentucky Derby Festival, was a rousing success once again. After the RiverBats defeated Norfolk 10-4 on Saturday, the majority of a capacity crowd stayed behind at Louisville Slugger Field to enjoy live music, an air show, and other festivities leading up to the fireworks display.

THE BELL TOLLS FOR THEE: RiverBats' RHP Rob Bell threw 7 scoreless innings en route to a 3-2 victory over Richmond Tuesday. Bell now has a scoreless inning streak of 15 dating back to the fifth inning of a 6-3 loss 4/13 at Richmond.

RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS: The Louisville RiverBats experienced their first postponement at Louisville Slugger Field due to inclement weather on Monday. The R-Braves-RiverBats washout was the first postponement for Louisville since June 8, 1997, a span of 266 regular season home games without a rain-out. It was the club's first postponement since returning to the International League.

NORFOLK TIDES

METS VS. TIDES: The Mets and the Tides met for the 27th time Thursday, April 19th. The Mets defeated their Triple-A affiliate 2-0. The Tides however still lead the series 16-11. Gabby Martinez was the surprise of the day winning the homerun hitting contest with 8 bombs. Jorge Toca who started the season with the Mets and who has been outrighted back to the Tides (4/25) went 2 for 2 with the Mets.

ONE RUN GAMES: The Tides are now 6-1 in one-run games this season. They lost their first one-run game this week but made a valiant effort scoring 3 runs in the top of the ninth inning on Monday against the Indians. The Tides have won three of those games in their last at bat.

HITTING STREAKS: Darren Bragg returned to the team this week after joining his wife for the birth of their second child but his team season-high hitting streak came to an end on Friday evening when he struck out as pinch-hitter in the ninth inning (9-21 (.429) 2B, 3 HR, 4 RBI). Jorge Velandia has tied Bragg's hitting streak going into tonight's game at Richmond (11-20 (.550) 5 2B, HR, 6 RBI).

PERFECT ATTENDANCE: Matt Franco and Alex Escobar are the only two Tides players to have appeared in all 18 games this season. Escobar had started in the first 16 games of the 2001 season until he was out of the starting line-up on Monday. He did hit a pinch-hit appearance in the ninth inning to continue his games appeared in streak.

REACHING BASE STREAK ENDS: Bubba Carpenter struck out as a pinch-hitter on Saturday thus ending his 11-game streak of reaching base via hit or walk. During that span he was 6 for 26 with 8 walks. He went 7 consecutive games with a walk from 4/11-4/18.

RUNS GALORE: The Tides have allowed 29 runs while scoring 16 during their recent season-long 4-game losing streak. The Tides have allowed a season high 5 runs in an inning twice so far this season, both going to the RiverBats (once at home and once on the road). Starting the day before the losing streak, the Tides tied their season long consecutive games streak with a home run at 4.

TURNING TWO: The Tides have turned 13 double plays in the last 10 straight games with a season high of 3 on April 20th. Shortstop Jorge Velandia has played a part in at least one double play in the last 7 straight games.

EXTRA EXTRA RUN ALL ABOUT ‘EM: The Tides have allowed 32 extra-base hits in the last 6 games including 21 doubles, a triple and 10 home runs.

OTTAWA LYNX

FIRST MONTH JITTERS?: The Ottawa Lynx are 9-11 heading into the final days of April. This means the 2001 Lynx have a chance to become the first team in franchise history to escape April with a record of .500 or better. Never before in Ottawa's previous eight seasons has a Lynx team started May with a winning record, including the 1995 Governors' Cup season when Ottawa was 10-11 at the end of the season's first calendar month. Ottawa's all-time record in April – not counting the 2001 season – is 65-96 (.404). The Lynx have not been above .500, not including Opening Day wins, since May 4, 1999 when a 5-2 win over Norfolk at JetForm Park gave Ottawa a 13-12 record. The team went on to lose 10 of its next 12 games to fall well below the even mark.

THE FELIPE WATCH: Veteran righty Felipe Lira is producing a great start to his 2001 season. Heading into the final days of April, Lira has not allowed an earned run in 9.2 innings. The franchise record for innings pitched without an earned run allowed is held by Montreal Expos' closer Ugueth Urbina. He threw 26.1 consecutive innings without allowing a run during the 1995 season for Ottawa.

PRIDE OF THE LYNX RETURNS: Popular outfielder Curtis Pride made his debut at JetForm Park for the Lynx April 25 during a dramatic 5-4 comeback Ottawa victory over Rochester. Pride spurred the team, which was down 3-0 in the seventh, with his first home run of the year, a solo shot. The Lynx scored two more runs in the inning and eventually won the game on Mark Smith's single in the ninth. Pride returned from the disabled list that night and played his first game at JetForm Park since the 1995 Governors' Cup Series when the Lynx beat Norfolk in four games to win the championship.

PAWTUCKET RED SOX

VALENTIN'S DAY(S) AT McCOY: 3B John Valentin joined the PawSox on an injury rehab assignment from Boston on Tuesday. His impact was felt immediately as Val belted a solo HR to CF in his first at-bat on Tuesday (in the 1st-inning). He had Pawtucket's second hit of the night as well (an RBI double in the 6th-inning) and later scored the tying run in that frame. The PawSox went on to beat Syracuse, 4-3 on Tuesday night as John went 2-for-4 with a 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored and had 4 assists at 3B (including a DP) with one error. He was used the designated hitter on Wednesday afternoon in Pawtucket's, 4-2 loss at home to the SkyChiefs going 0-for-4 with four fly-outs.

Valentin, 34, underwent major surgery on June 1 to repair the patella tendon which had pulled away from the patella (knee cap). He suffered the injury as he attempted to field a ground ball in the 2nd-inning of Boston's game with Kansas City at Fenway last May 30. The surgical process connected the patella and the patella tendon by using sutures. After surgery, his leg was held in a straight position to allow the area to heal. John's rehabilitation process has been lengthy and arduous, but now, nearly 11 months later, he has returned to action with the PawSox.

John played for the PawSox for most of 1991 and ‘92 (mainly as a shortstop) and was selected by fans as a reserve infielder on the PawSox All-Time Team in 1997. He also rehabbed briefly with Pawtucket in both 1993 (broken right finger) and 1994 (arthroscopic right knee surgery). Valentin has been a regular with Boston from 1993-2000 and ranks among the Red Sox Top 20 all-time leaders in doubles (264), slugging pct. (.433), and HR (120). His entire big league career has been spent with Boston and he owns a .283 average with 120 HR & 523 RBI in 971 games.

The most recent word has it that Valentin will finish out the homestand this week at McCoy (Thursday & Friday nights vs. Buffalo) and then go to Double-A Trenton over the weekend. The PawSox are heading to Syracuse over the weekend, but the Red Sox would like to avoid playing Valentin on the turf at P & C Stadium.

ANOTHER FAMILIAR FACE RETURNS: The Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night optioned INF Lou Merloni to Pawtucket. Merloni will be added to the PawSox roster on Thursday (the PawSox have to make a corresponding roster move to clear a spot). Lou began this season with Pawtucket and was 0-for-3 with a HBP on Opening Day in Buffalo as the SS. The next day, on his 30th birthday, Lou was recalled to Boston as the Red Sox placed INF Chris Stynes on the disabled list. When Stynes came off the DL on Tuesday, Merloni was optioned back to Pawtucket.

Lou played in 8 games with Boston and hit .438 (best on the team) going 7-for-16 with 2 2B & 2 RBI. He had a 5-game hitting streak from April 15-21 at a .429 clip (6-for-14). A fan-favorite, Merloni has played in Pawtucket during each of the past six years (1996-2001). He came into this season ranked 8th on the PawSox list of all-time career hitting leaders with a .301 batting average. Lou has also played in Boston for at least part of the last four seasons and owns a .291 career major league average in 130 games.

RICHMOND BRAVES

PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE: Although leading the International League with a .276 average, the R-Braves have drawn a league-low 36 walks.

DO WE HAVE A VOLUNTEER?: The Braves will hold their annual Bookmark Day/Volunteer Day at The Diamond Sunday, April 29 when they host the Charlotte Knights in a 2:00 p.m. contest. Volunteers throughout the Richmond area will receive discounted $2 General Admission tickets as a reward for their service to local organizations. Also, the Braves have given free General Admission tickets to area children who participated in the annual Bookmark Contest. The club will recognize Austin Looney, the contest winner, by having him throw out the ceremonial first pitch and by having his winning bookmark made into 50,000 copies and distributed throughout the Richmond area.

ROCHESTER RED WINGS

HOT WING: Centerfielder Eugene Kingsale has an eight-game hitting streak, going 13-for-36 (.361) with four doubles and nine runs scored. Kingsale has hit safely in all seven home games, going 11-for-30 (.367) with four doubles and eight runs scored. Kingsale has also hit safely in 14 of the first 17 games this season.

GOOD STARTS: In the Red Wings' eight wins this season the starters have done a great job, going 7-0 with a 0.68 ERA. In those eight games the starters have given up four runs in 52.2 innings of work. In the Red Wings nine losses, the Wings starters have struggled, going 0-5 with a 4.86 ERA. In those nine games the starters have allowed 33 runs (25 earned) in 46.1 innings of work.

APRIL WINS BRING SEPTEMBER PLAYOFF GAMES: The Red Wings look to get off a fast start this season with a winning month of April. Rochester has had three consecutive losing April's (25-36 record over those three seasons). Rochester last had a winning April in 1997 when the Wings went 17-9. Prior to the past three seasons Rochester had a .500 or better record in five consecutive Aprils (1993-97). In those five seasons Rochester made the playoffs in four of those five years. Rochester needs to go 4-2 in their last 6 games in April to finish with a winning April record.

SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE RED BARONS

INJURY BUG BITES: What began as a promising offensive unit at the start of the season has turned into a patchwork line-up due to injuries. It began with starting centerfielder Reggie Taylor severely spraining his ankle the 2nd game of the season - an injury that continues to keep him on the DL. Next up was 1st baseman Gene Schall who strained his back April 19 vs. Syracuse in a 1st base collision. He was placed on the DL April 22. On April 24, outfielder Jason Michaels strained an oblique muscle and may also join the DL. To take their places, the Red Barons activated Turner Ward from the DL and promoted Fletcher Bates from Reading.

VALENT RED HOT: In his rookie Triple-A season, Eric Valent is backing up his prospect status. Valent, the Phillies' 1st round compensation pick in 1998, had his club-high 11-game hitting streak snapped Wednesday night vs. Buffalo. During the streak, he reached base 31 times batting .450 (18-40) with 11 walks and two hit batters. He also blasted a pair of home runs with 7 RBI. Valent began the season in right field but with the injury to Gene Schall, he has been seeing some time at 1st base as well.

GREAT STARTS CONTINUE: In their last nine games, the Red Barons' starting staff is 3-4. Not great you say? The record does not tell the whole story. All nine starts during this time period have gone at least six innings and have not allowed more than three runs. As a group, the ERA stands at an impressive 1.55. In 63.2 IP, they have allowed only 52 hits, 11 runs, 11 ER, 17 BB while striking out 53. Maybe more impressive is that on the season, the starters have allowed three runs or less in 17 of the 19 games. As good as this sounds, it may get even better. The only pitcher on the staff who struggled was Geoff Geary (0-3, 6.91). Yesterday, Geary was optioned to Reading and replaced by veteran Paul Byrd. Byrd was promoted to the club from Class A Clearwater where he was recovering from SLAP lesion surgery performed 8/2/00. In four starts for the C-Phils, he was 0-3 with a 3.42 ERA. In his last two starts, he had a 2.77 ERA . His best outing was 4/18 vs. Tampa (7.0, 7H, 2R, 2ER, 0BB, 10K).

SYRACUSE SKYCHIEFS

WELCOME HOME MR. JONES: Syracuse native Chris Jones was signed as a free agent by the Blue Jays and activated by Syracuse last Saturday. He collected a pinch-hit single in his first at bat Saturday at Scranton/WB. On Sunday, in his first start, Jones clubbed a 2-run HR to help the SkyChiefs beat the Red Barons 5-2. After an 0-for-4 Tuesday in Pawtucket, Jones again flexed his 35-year-old muscles, hitting a 2-run HR in the SkyChiefs' 4-2 win at Pawtucket. Jones batted .237 in 81 games for the SkyChiefs in 1999.

TOP PROSPECTS: The SkyChiefs roster now features the Blue Jays' top 5 minor league prospects – according to Baseball America – after the promotion of INF Felipe Lopez earlier today. Lopez is the 2nd rated prospect behind SkyChiefs' CF Vernon Wells. The SkyChiefs' roster also features #3 prospect INF Cesar Izturis, #4 C Joe Lawrence and #5 reliever Bob File. The roster would have included the #8 rated prospect, pitcher Pasqual Coco, but after being promoted to Syracuse from Tennessee last week, Coco was recalled by Toronto before throwing a pitch for the SkyChiefs.

TOLEDO MUD HENS

SUNDAY STAPLES: The Toledo Mud Hens will play 10 Sunday home games this year and they will be bringing back a couple of Sunday traditions to Ned Skeldon Stadium. Every Sunday, fans will be able to get autographs from 1:15 to 1:45 in the souvenir store. Two different players will be in the store each week. Also on Sundays, kids will be allowed to run the bases following the game sponsored by Applebee's restaurants. The team will be holding a team autograph day on Sunday, June 3 when all of the team and coaches will be signing team photos throughout the ballpark prior to the game versus Scranton/WB.

BALLPARK UPDATE: The new downtown ballpark is starting to take shape. The steel has started to be placed for the Club Level down the third base side. The concourse cement has been pored and the underground plumbing is near completion. The 10,000-seat facility is scheduled to be ready by April of 2002 for the Mud Hens 106th season of professional baseball. Club Seats are on sale now and so far, approximately 700 of the 1000 seats have been sold. The brick program is also going well as 215 bricks have already been sold raising over $20,000 for the project. The bricks will be laid at the entrances of the new ballpark.

HEY, SCORE RUNS FOR ME...PLEASE: Left-handed starter Mike Maroth has been the recipient of lousy run support over his first three starts of the season. The 23-year-old had a record of 0-2 with an ERA of 3.00 going into his start on Wednesday. In his first three starts, the Mud Hens have scored just four runs. Maroth is starting his first season at the Triple-A level after compiling a 26-27 record in three previous professional seasons.

• Discuss this story on the International League message board...

International League Stories from April 26, 2001

• IL News and Notes - OSC Original by IL Press Release

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.