Andrew Kown Named PCL Pitcher Of The Week

FRESNO- The Pacific Coast League announced today that Fresno Grizzlies pitcher Andrew Kown has been honored as PCL Pitcher of the Week for May 2-8. The award marks the first such honor for a Grizzlies player this season, and the first time a Grizzlies pitcher has won the league award since Matt Palmer did so for the week of May 5-11, 2008.

Kown, 28, was victorious in both of his starts last week to improve to 4-2 on the season and grab a share of the league lead in wins. On May 2nd, he allowed just three hits over seven scoreless frames in a 6-0, shutout victory on the road over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. Kown followed that up by striking out a career-high nine Tucson batters, holding Tucson to just two runs in six innings of work in a 7-3 home win on May 7th. The nine strikeouts eclipsed Kown's previous high of eight, set on July 1st, 2005 against Clinton while playing for West Michigan of the Midwest League. He finished the week 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA (2 ER/13.0 IP), allowing 10 hits and four walks while striking out 13.

The Marietta, GA native has enjoyed a successful start to his Grizzlies career after being signed by the San Francisco Giants as a minor league free agent in the offseason. In addition to his 3.71 ERA, Kown has limited opponents to just a .231 batting average this season and carries a 1.18 WHIP, best among Grizzlies starters.

The Fresno Grizzlies, Triple-A affiliate of the 2010 World Champion San Francisco Giants, hit the road for eight games starting on Tuesday before returning home to take on the New Orleans Zephyrs on Thursday, May 19th at 7:05pm for Mad Tight 90s Night Meets World, featuring Ben "Cory Matthews" Savage at Chukchansi Park. Tickets are available now at the Chukchansi Park Box Office, over the phone at 559-320-TIXS or online at www.fresnogrizzlies.com.