Batista Earns First 2014 Weekly Honor for 'Cats

The Carolina League named Hillcats right-handed pitcher Lay Batista Pitcher of the Week today for the week of May 5-11. He earned his first win of the season Thursday night in Wilmington against the Blue Rocks with six scoreless innings.

Batista was transferred to Lynchburg April 30 from Double-A Mississippi where he had made two relief appearances and one start, and spent two weeks on the disabled list already this season. He was 0-1 with an 8.22 ERA with Mississippi. Now he is 1-0 with a 1.00 ERA in two starts with the Hillcats.

The Santiago, Dominican Republic native was dominant this past week in Wilmington facing the minimum in five of his six innings. The only inning that gave him trouble was the third when a walk and two singles loaded the bases with no outs. He then struck out the side in order, stranding all three baserunners.

This is the first season for Batista in the Atlanta Braves organization. He previously pitched five seasons within the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim farm system from 2009-2013. This is the first weekly honor of his career.