Michael Aubrey Named IL Batter of the Week

Posted by Cheryl Nichols | 5/16/2011 04:50:00 PM | , , , | 0 comments »

Michael Aubrey - Photo by Jim McGregor

Press Release:

The International League announced today that Syracuse outfielder/designated hitter Michael Aubrey and Lehigh Valley pitcher Brian Gordon have been named the League's Batter and Pitcher of the Week for the period from May 9-15.

Aubrey is the second member of the Chiefs to win an IL weekly award this season, following pitcher Cole Kimball (April 7-10). Gordon is the first member of the IronPigs to be so honored in 2011.

Seven days ago, Syracuse's Michael Aubrey might have been considered an unlikely candidate to claim Batter of the Week honors. He entered the week hitting just .178 with no homers and one RBI on the season, just days removed from a stint on the disabled list.

Things changed in a hurry this week for Aubrey, who paced the International League in slugging (1.167) and on-base percentage (.545) while finishing near the top in hitting (4th, .444), home runs (2nd, 4), and RBI (T-4th, 9). Most of his damage was done Saturday afternoon against Durham, when Aubrey became just the tenth player in League history to homer four times in one game.

He tallied seven RBI through his four long balls, leading the Chiefs to their highest-scoring output of the season in an 11-0 romp. Aubrey became just the second player in the long history of the Syracuse franchise to hit four home runs in one game (Gene Locklear, July 14, 1977 at Columbus).

29-year-old Michael Aubrey is in his ninth season of professional baseball. This marks the fourth consecutive season he's played in the International League, having previously suited up for Buffalo (2008), Columbus (2009), and Norfolk (2009-10). Aubrey was honored as IL Batter of the Week once last season with the Tides (July 19-25). Aubrey is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana.

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