Some Minor League News…

From the Louisville Bats:

In yesterday’s Bats game, three franchise records were tied or broken (strikeouts in a game, career home runs and career multi home run games):

· HOMER’S RECORD DAY: RHP Homer Bailey struck out a career high 15 Hens batters yesterday (nine consecutive between the 3rd and 6th innings) to tie the franchise record set by Ken Hill (5/10/90 vs. Indy). The 17 overall batters struck out by Bailey and reliever Ben Jukich were the most since Bats pitchers struck out 18 last season at Pawtucket (6/12) — Justin Mallett (8), Todd Coffey (2), Jon Adkins (3), Josh Roenicke (1) and Tyler Pelland (4)

· BARKER’S NEW RECORD: 1B Kevin Barker (1998-99, 2008-09) is the Louisville franchise’s new home run king with 71, passing Brandon Larson’s 70 homer mark set from 2000-04. Barker’s two home run game yesterday also made him the all-time leader in multi-homer games, breaking a six-game tie with Larson. Barker’s three-hit game yesterday also moved him into sixth place on the all-time hits list with 366, passing Stan Royer’s 365.

1. Aaron Holbert, 471 hits
T2. Gene Roof, 441 hits
T2. Bill Lyons, 441 hits
4. Chris Sexton, 371 hits
5. Tim Jones, 369 hits
6. Kevin Barker, 366 hits

Homer Bailey was also named the International League’s Pitcher of the Week (4/20-4/26)

And from the Dragons:

Dayton, Ohio—Dayton Dragons starting pitcher Matt Fairel (FAIR-ul) has been selected as Midwest League Pitcher of the Week for the week of April 20-26, 2009.

Fairel made two starts during the week, posting a 1-0 record with a 1.38 earned run average. He allowed just two runs in 13 innings and struck out 20 batters. He gave up only nine hits and two walks.

On April 21st, Fairel came within two strikeouts of the Dragons club record when he struck out 12 Great Lakes batters over a six-inning performance. Fairel followed that outing with his first professional victory on Sunday, April 26th at South Bend when he allowed only one run in seven innings, striking out eight and walking one while giving up five hits.

Fairel is a product of Florida State University. The 21-year-old left-hander was a 35th round draft pick by the Cincinnati Reds in 2008. He did not pitch professionally last season.