Vasquez Set to Debut with Mariners

Clinton, IA - Left-hander Anthony Vasquez will become the eighth former Clinton LumberKing to make a Major League debut this season when he suits up for the Seattle Mariners tonight in Cleveland. Vasquez, a starting pitcher for the Kings in 2009 and 2010, is slated to make a spot start in the nightcap of a day-night doubleheader against the Indians.

Vasquez, 24, was called up from triple-A Tacoma where he went 4-3 with a 3.21 ERA in eight starts with the Rainiers. He started the season with double-A Jackson, going 5-7 with a 3.77 ERA in 16 starts.

Drafted by the Mariners in the 18th round in 2009 out of the University of Southern California, Vasquez jumped from rookie Pulaski to Clinton late in the '09 campaign and went 3-3 with a 5.66 ERA in seven starts for the LumberKings. He'd return on the Opening Day roster in 2010 and would go 2-2 with an impressive 1.29 ERA in eight starts, including a complete-game loss at Beloit on April 19. Vasquez advanced to High Desert (7-4, 3.07) and finished up last season with double-A West Tenn. (2-3, 2.61).

Vasquez will join right-handers Josh Lueke (Seattle), Tom Wilhelmsen (Seattle), Cody Eppley (Texas), Maikel Cleto (St. Louis) and Blake Beavan (Seattle), infielder Kyle Seager (Seattle) and catcher Manny Pina (Kansas City) as former LumberKings to make big-league debuts this season. Lueke, Wilhelmsen, Beavan and Seager are all currently in the Major Leagues with the Mariners.

Once Vasquez throws his first pitch, he'll be the 232nd former Clinton player to appear in a Major League game dating back to the franchise's inception in 1937.

For tickets, official team merchandise, the 2011 promotional schedule and more, call the LumberKings at 563-242-0727 or visit www.lumberkings.com.