Alcides Escobar To Receive Brewers June Award

On Thursday, July 20th, before the Dunedin Blue Jays vs. Brevard County Manatees game, Alcides Escobar will receive a special award for being named the Milwaukee Brewers June Player of the Month. Fans are encouraged to come out to the July 20th game which will be followed by a special Fireworks show. Another former Manatee, Yovani Gallardo, was named the Brewers June Pitcher of the Month as well. Escobar, the Manatees shortstop, had an outstanding month of June and the Brevard County Manatees parent club, the Milwaukee Brewers, commended him on his effort.

Alcides Escobar is a native of La Sabana, Venezuela and hit .344 in 22 games played in the month of June. Escobar had nine RBI, eight stolen bases and four doubles. Overall, Escobar has bumped his average to .249 this season in 53 games with 26 RBI and 15 stolen bases. Alcides was signed as a non-drafted free agent on July 9, 2003. In 2005, he was named as the Brewers Best Defensive Infielding Prospect by Baseball America. The award ceremony will take place on the field before the 7:00 p.m. start of the Blue Jays vs. Manatees game on July 20th.

Yovani Gallardo, a right-handed pitcher who is currently with the Double-A Huntsville Stars, was named as the Brewers June Pitcher of the Month. The Florida State League and Futures Game All-Star was dominating with Brevard County in the month of June. In three games started, Yovani went 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA. In 20 innings pitched, Gallardo allowed only eight hits, held opponents to a .125 average and struck out 26 batters while walking eight. Currently with the Brewers Double-A Affiliate, the Huntsville Stars, the Texas native holds a 0.73 ERA and in 24.2 innings pitched has 25 strikeouts and only nine walks.

Tickets are still available for Thursday's Fireworks show. In addition to post-game fireworks, the first 500 fans 12 and under will receive a Manatees lunch box and all 12 ounce beers, soda and sno-cones are $1.00 all night long. The gates open at 6:00 p.m. with the first pitch scheduled for 7:00 p.m. For more information or to buy individual game tickets, contact the Manatees' office at (321) 633-9200. The Brevard County Manatees are the Class A-Advanced Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers.