Brian Johnson named I.L. Pitcher of the Week

The International League announced today that Buffalo first baseman Chris Colabello and Pawtucket
pitcher Brian Johnson have been named the League's Batter and Pitcher of the Week for the period
from April 20‐26. Each player is the first from his respective team to claim a weekly award this
season. Colabello is now a three‐time winner of the IL Batter of the Week Award, after claiming the
honor twice in 2013 while with the Rochester Red Wings (April 4‐7; May 13‐19).

BRIAN JOHNSON, Pawtucket Red Sox IL PITCHER OF THE WEEK

Left‐hander Brian Johnson was the winner of the weekʹs best pitcherʹs duel in the International
League. Facing Buffalo in Game 1 of a doubleheader last Monday, Johnson squared off with fellow
lefty Andrew Albers. Johnson tossed 7.0 innings of two‐hit baseball, allowing just one walk while
striking out five, but his counterpart had a no‐hitter going through six frames. In the bottom of the
7th, the PawSox finally got to Albers, when Travis Shaw led off with a double and was eventually
singled home by Matt Spring. The walk‐off 1‐0 victory improved Johnsonʹs mark on the season to 2‐1
and lowered his ERA to a League‐best 0.56.

24‐year‐old Brian Johnson is in his fourth season as a professional pitcher after being selected by
Boston in the supplemental round (31st overall) of the 2012 draft. Last season he was the
organizationʹs Minor League Pitcher of the Year after combining to go 13‐3 with a 2.13 ERA between
Class‐A Salem and Double‐A Portland. Johnson is a native of Lakeland, Florida.

CHRIS COLABELLO, Buffalo Bisons IL BATTER OF THE WEEK

Former International League Most Valuable Player Chris Colabello was back at it this week, leading
the circuit with 14 hits, 5 extra‐base hits, 25 total bases, three home runs, and 10 RBI. Colabelloʹs
season had been off to a slow start, as he entered Wednesdayʹs game with a .243 average before
breaking out for four hits, including a home run, with four RBI. He homered again Thursday, and
once more Saturday as part of a huge weekend in Lehigh Valley. Colabello collected three hits in
back‐to‐back games to push his overall hitting streak to six. For the season, Colabello now leads the
IL with five home runs, 15 RBI, and 39 total bases while his Buffalo Bisons own the Leagueʹs best
record at 12‐5.

31‐year‐old Chris Colabello is in his fourth season in affiliated baseball. He spent seven seasons
playing independent baseball before signing with Minnesota in 2012. In 2013 he was named IL Most
Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year, and also made his big league debut with the Twins.
Following the 2014 campaign he was selected off waivers by Toronto. Colabello is a native of
Framingham, Massachusetts.