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Christian Named PCL Player Of The Week

Outfielder leads all of pro baseball with a .553 average
April 16, 2012
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno Grizzlies outfielder Justin Christian has been named Pacific Coast League Player of the Week for the period ending April 15th, the league office announced today.

Christian, 32, not only leads the PCL, but all of professional baseball with a .553 (21-for-39) batting average this season. He also leads the PCL in on-base percentage (.595), slugging percentage (.816) and doubles (7). He has registered a double in his last six consecutive games, including two in Sunday's win over Tacoma at Chukchansi Park. His 21 hits are tied for the league-lead with Tony Abreu of Omaha.

The Lincoln, NE native is currently in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak, with six multi-hit games over the stretch. He capped the period with a 3-for-4 performance on Sunday, adding the two doubles and a season-high three runs batted in. In the first game of the seven-game hitting streak, Christian recorded four hits, matching a team-high for hits in a game this season.

Christian is coming off a career year playing at three different levels in 2011 within the San Francisco Giants organization. His 14 home runs and 73 RBI from a year ago were career-bests, helping him earn a promotion to the Major Leagues in September.

Christian and the Grizzlies take the field tonight at 7:05 pm for the final contest in a four-game set against the Tacoma Rainiers. Left-hander Brian Burres will face right-hander Jeff Marquez in this evening's game. The Grizzlies will continue their homestand through Friday, taking on the Reno Aces, Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, starting Tuesday.