Former ValleyCat Victor Garate Makes Major League Debut for Nationals

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Former ValleyCat Victor Garate Makes Major League Debut for Nationals
09/14/2009 10:08 AM ET
Tri-City ValleyCats

TROY, N.Y. - Former Tri-City ValleyCat Victor Garate made his major league debut for the Washington Nationals on September 5 to become the 17th player to reach the major leagues after having played with the ValleyCats. Garate spent two seasons with the ValleyCats in 2006-07.
Garate, 24, signed as a free agent with the Houston Astros in 2005 and made his professional debut with the Rookie affiliate Greeneville Astros that summer. Garate appeared in 19 games out of the bullpen, winning four and striking out an impressive 53 batters in 32.1 innings.
Garate spent the entire 2006 season with the ValleyCats as the closer for the Stedler Division champions. Garate compiled an ERA of 0.92 and struck out 59 batters in 39.1 innings. The left-handed reliever dominated opposing hitters as they hit just .112. Garate was also a member of the New York-Penn League All-Star Game.
In 2007, Garate began the season with the Lexington Legends, but returned to the ValleyCats in July. Garate won three games in his second stint with the ValleyCats and posted a 3.31 ERA.
The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Garate in the 2007 Rule V Draft. Garate split the 2008 season with the Single-A affiliate Great Lakes Loons and Inland Empire 66ers. Garate was used primarily as a starter for the first time in his career and posted a 1.85 ERA in 17 games (12 starts) with Great Lakes. Garate continued his strikeout ways, fanning 150 batters in 116 innings with the two clubs.
The Dodgers added Garate to its 40-man roster in 2009, but the left-handed reliever spent the majority of the season with the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts. Garate returned to the bullpen and appeared in 47 games and boasted a 2.04 ERA. On September 2, Garate was traded to the Nationals as part of the trade for infielder Ronnie Belliard. The Nationals called up the left-handed reliever to the big league club two days later.
Garate made his major league debut on September 5 against the Florida Marlins. Garate's major league career got off to a rough start after pinch hitter Brett Hayes hit an 0-2 slider over the left field for his first major league home run. Garate finished the inning, allowing two earned runs.
Garate is the most recent ValleyCat to have reached the major leagues having played at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium in 2007. Garate is the 17th former ValleyCat to go from "The Joe to The Show" and the fifth this season.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.