NEWARK, NJ – September 5, 2007 – The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball announced Newark Bears first baseman Victor Rodriguez has been voted AL Player of the Month for August. Rodriguez becomes the Bears first position player to win the award in 2007.
In 24 games in August, Rodriguez batted .396 with six home runs, six doubles, 28 RBI, and 17 runs scored. He had 36 hits and eight walks for a .441 on-base percentage. Rodriguez’s blistering month was highlighted by a four game stretch from August 14th to August 17th when he went 11-for-16 with three home runs, two doubles, 11 RBI, and five runs scored.
On the season, Rodriguez is hitting .361 with 13 home runs, 29 doubles, 91 RBI, and 60 runs scored. He is currently ranked first in the Atlantic League in batting average and hits, tied for second in RBI, and is fourth in doubles.
Lancaster Barnstormer’s left-handed pitcher Zach Parker was named the AL Pitcher of the Month. Parker went 4-0 in August with a 1.59 ERA. In 22.2 innings pitched, he allowed just 19 hits and struck out 13 batters.
Bears’ right-handed starter Gary Knotts was named the AL Pitcher of the Month for July and right-hander Matt Sweeney was named co-Pitcher of the Month for May. Knotts’ contract was purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies on July 31. He was assigned to double-A Reading and has since been promoted to triple-A Ottawa. Sweeney’s contract was purchased by the Houston Astros on June 30.
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Ed Clinton
Newark Bears Professional Baseball Club
450 Broad St.
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 848-1000 ext. 107