Indians roster loses Morla, Santana
The Spokane Indians had more movement to their roster last week, as pitcher Wandy Morla was promoted to the Single-A Bakersfield Blaze, the Texas Rangers’ affiliate with the California League.
Morla was 2-1 with a 6.00 earned run average with Spokane and has posted an 8.16 ERA with the Blaze.
Spokane second baseman Julio Santana was moved down to the Arizona Rookie League. Santana posted a .133 batting average (2 for 15) with the Indians.
Eugene’s roster also changed. Third baseman David Freese of the Emeralds was promoted to Fort Wayne, a Single-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. Freese dominated Northwest League offensive categories, batting .379 with five home runs and 26 RBIs in 18 games, according to Steve Mims of The (Eugene) Register-Guard.
Mascot meeting
The Famous Chicken joined Spokane Indians mascot Otto on Saturday night at Avista Stadium. The Famous Chicken’s stop in Spokane adds to the more than 17,000 appearances he has made in eight countries on four continents.
The man behind the costume is 52-year-old Ted Giannoulas, who became the mascot as a college student in 1974. The Famous Chicken has been named one of the 100 most powerful people in sports in the 20th century by The Sporting News.
Special night
Everett center fielder Gregory Halman helped the AquaSox to a 14-10 victory over the Boise Hawks Wednesday by going 3 for 4 with two home runs, three RBIs and four runs scored.
Halman’s mother was watching from the stands at Everett Memorial Stadium. She flew in from Holland and watched her son play as a professional for the first time, according to Nick Patterson, Everett Herald.
Complete success
The Yakima Bears’ Ceasar Valdez, from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, pitched the NWL’s first complete game this season in a 4-1 victory over the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes on Thursday.
Valdez (4-3) gave up six hits, struck out eight, walked none and threw 103 pitches. He has won his last four starts and is tied for second in the league for victories. It was Valdez’s first career complete game, according to Roger Underwood, Yakima Herald-Republic.
NWL awards
Daniel Mayora of the Tri-City Dust Devils was recognized as the NWL Offensive Player of the Week. Mayora batted .364 last week and hit safely in five straight games. Six of the Venezuelan’s eight hits went for extra bases, including four doubles and two home runs.
Boise’s Jeremy Papelbon, younger brother of Red Sox closer Jonathan, has started his professional pitching career by throwing 17 scoreless innings, earning Pitcher of the Week honors. Papelbon earned two wins for the Hawks last week.
The Hawks are celebrating their 20th anniversary season and also recognized former manager Tom Kotchman on Saturday. Kotchman’s No. 11 jersey was retired for the club he managed for 11 seasons beginning in 1990. The Hawks won four NWL titles under Kotchman, who led the team to 501 wins, most in NWL history.