Ramirez Named PCL Pitcher of the Week

TACOMA, Wash. -- Tacoma Rainiers right-hander Erasmo Ramirez was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week for May 28-June 3, the league announced on Monday.

Ramirez, 21, recorded a pair of wins and produced a 1.35 ERA over two starts made over that period. He combined to strike out a league-best 15 batters and issued just two walks en route to generating a 0.71 WHIP.

He began the week tossing a season-high 7.1 innings against Tucson on Monday, May 28, and limited the Padres to one run on six hits and collected six strikeouts. He followed that effort with 6.0 innings against the Sacramento River Cats on June 2, surrendering just one run on six hits and striking out a season-high nine batters.

Ranked by Baseball America as the Seattle Mariners No. 13 prospect entering the season, Ramirez is 3-1 with a 3.34 ERA (11ER/29.2IP) over his first six starts at Tacoma in 2012. He began the year making his Major League debut over seven relief appearances with Seattle, allowing three earned runs over 11.0 innings out of the Mariners bullpen.

The Rivas, Nicaragua native signed with Seattle in 2007, and was selected by the Mariners as the organization's 2010 Minor League Player of the Year after going 11-1 with a 0.51 ERA over 14 starts with Single-A Clinton in the Midwest League. He was chosen as a 2011 Southern League Mid-Season All-Star with Double-A Jackson after splitting time between the Generals and Tacoma last season.

Ramirez is the first Rainiers player to receive a weekly league award since outfielder Mike Carp was named the PCL Player of the Week for May 31-June 6, 2011. The honor also marks the first for a Rainiers pitcher since left-hander Chris Seddon was chosen as the league's Pitcher of the Week for April 7-18 of last season.

The Rainiers host the third game of a four-game series against the Sacramento River Cats at 7:05 p.m. tonight. The contest continues an eight-game homestand that features such Cheney Stadium staples as Tasty Thursday (June 7), Friday Night Fireworks (June 8) and the Little Caesars Family Deal (June 9).

To purchase season tickets, group packages or party decks for the upcoming 2012 season, please call (253) 752-7707 or email [email protected]. Up-to-date news and notes leading up to the season can be found at www.tacomarainiers.com and by following the Rainiers on Twitter or liking the team on Facebook