John Gast Wins PCL Pitcher Of The Week

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Memphis Redbirds starting pitcher John Gast has been named the Pacific Coast League's Pitcher of the Week for the April 15-21 period.

The 24-year-old hurler tossed 13 2/3 scoreless innings in a pair of quality starts during the week, scattering 10 hits while striking out 10 batters. He held league batters to a .204 average (10-for-49) over the two outings.

With the pair of quality starts, Gast extended his PCL-leading shutout stretch to 24 2/3 innings to open the season, breaking the Redbirds' franchise record for consecutive shutout innings by pitcher in a single season.

The record for starting pitchers was previously held by Britt Reames from July 14-August 13, 2000 (20 2/3 IP), while Josh Kinney's 22 2/3 scoreless innings from June 5-August 8, 2006 held the franchise record for relievers.

In yesterday's walkoff victory over the division-rival Cubs, Gast hurled 6 2/3 scoreless frames while allowing six base hits and striking out six. Six of his first seven outs recorded were strikeouts.

In last Tuesday's contest at New Orleans, Gast struck out four over seven innings for the victory in the Redbirds' 4-0 shutout win over the Zephyrs.

Overall in 2013, Gast has tossed three quality starts in four outings, picked off four runners, and has limited the opposition to a .220 average (18-for-82).

Gast's PCL award is the first accumulated by a Redbirds player in 2013.

This award is the second weekly honor of Gast's four-year career. He was previously honored by the New York-Penn League in 2010.

About Memphis Redbirds Baseball Foundation: The Memphis Redbirds Baseball Foundation is the first and only not-for-profit charitable organization in the United States to own and operate a professional baseball franchise, the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds. AutoZone Park - the finest ballpark ever built in the United States below the Major League level - is the home of the Redbirds and has served as the cornerstone of development in downtown Memphis. Incorporating the Memphis Redbirds as not-for-profit entity allows the community to own the team and facility. For the first time in history, Mid-South residents, corporate leaders and baseball fans are able to give back to the community - and at the same time enjoy first class entertainment - by supporting Memphis Redbirds Baseball.

About Global Spectrum: Global Spectrum (global-spectrum.com) manages the Memphis Redbirds, as well as more than 100 other public assembly facilities around the world. Nearly 20-million people attended more than 11,000 events in Global Spectrum venues last year. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Global Spectrum is part of Comcast-Spectacor, one of the world's largest sports and entertainment companies. Comcast-Spectacor also owns the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League, Ovations Food Services, a food and beverage services provider, New Era Tickets, a full-service ticketing and marketing product for public assembly facilities, Paciolan, the leading provider of venue establishment ticketing, fundraising and marketing technology solutions, Front Row Marketing Services, a commercial rights sales company, and Flyers Skate Zone, a series of community ice skating rinks.