Hirsh named IL Pitcher of the Week
Hirsh's honor represents the fourth time this season the Pitcher of the Week Award has gone to a Scranton/WB hurler, all coming within the last five weeks (Jonathan Albaladejo, July 5-11 and July 15-18, and Tim Redding, July 26-Aug. 1).
Hirsh won a pair of games for the first place Yankees this week, while tying for the League lead with 14 strikeouts. Each win helped put more distance between the Yankees and their opponents in the IL North.
On Tuesday at Syracuse, Hirsh tossed five shutout innings against the Chiefs in a 5-3 SWB win, scattering three hits and two walks while striking out five. Then on Sunday afternoon at Pawtucket, Hirsh was more than adequate in a 12-3 Yankees victory. He went a season-high 8.0 innings and struck out a season-high nine batters to improve his record to 8-7 and bring his ERA under 4.00 for the first time since May.
The 26-year-old Hirsh is in his eighth season as a professional pitcher. He was acquired last year by the Yankees in a late July trade from Colorado. He has seen action in the Major Leagues with the Astros (2006) and Rockies (2007-08).