Mud Hens pitcher and Bisons infielder recognized by International League
7/14/2008A Toledo Mud Hen and Buffalo Bison, both potential call-ups in the coming days and weeks, were recognized today by the International League for their recent, on-field performances.
Mud Hens pitcher Chris Lambert and Bisons infielder Asdrubal Cabrera were named the IL s pitcher and batter of the week, respectively, for the period from July 7-13. Lambert is hoping to claim the Detroit Tigers vacant No .5 slot in their starting rotation and Cabrera is trying to rejoin the Cleveland Indians infield.
Lambert tossed a complete-game and logged all five innings of a rain-shortened affair in his two outings last week, picking up two wins. He allowed an unearned run on three hits in a nine-inning, 8-1 victory over Scranton/Wilkes-Barre July 7 and pitched five scoreless frames in a 1-0 triumph over Indianapolis on Saturday night.
Lambert, 25, has to be a candidate to claim the Tigers last spot in their rotation, which was vacated when they sent Eddie Bonine to Double-A Erie Wednesday night. Detroit will need a fifth starter July 21 in Kansas City.
Cabrera batted .394 with three homers and six RBIs in eight games to earn recognition. Since joining the Bisons last month, he s batting .326 in 34 games.
Cabrera, 22, was the Indians second baseman down the stretch and in the playoffs last year, and opened the 2008 season in the same spot. But with his battering average stuck at .184 after play June 8, he was optioned to Buffalo to regain his stroke.
Also, the Tigers announced catcher Dane Sardinha cleared waivers and was outrighted to Toledo.
Sardinha batted .167 with a triple and two RBIs in five games for the Tigers before he was designated for assignment last week. He was filling in for Brandon Inge as backup to Pudge Rodriguez.
Sardinha spent most of this season with the Hens, batting .206 with six homers and 16 RBIs in 48 games.
Contact Joe Vardon at:
jvardon@theblade.com
or 419-410-5055.