Matt Garza to start Monday night in Clinton

CLINTON, IA (April 17, 2017) - Milwaukee Brewers starting right-handed pitcher Matt Garza is scheduled to make a rehab start in Clinton on Monday night in game one of a three game set against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Ashford University Field. Game time is 6:30 P.M. with gates opening at 5:00 P.M.
Garza, 33, has had a distinguished Major League career pitching for the Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, and Brewers. The Fresno, California native became known to most baseball fans during the 2008 season. Garza went 11-9 for the Rays posting a 3.70 ERA while leading the American League in shutouts. His success in 2008 came down the stretch and led the Rays to their only World Series appearance. During the 2008 American League Championship Series (ALCS), Garza outdueled Jon Lester, then of the Boston Red Sox, twice including the seventh and deciding game of the series. His impressive record in the series, 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA, earned him the ALCS Most Valuable Player award.
Garza won 15 games in 2010, his last year in Tampa Bay, and was traded in January of 2011 to the Cubs. His tenure in Chicago were some of the best years of his Major League career. In three and half seasons, Garza went 21-18 with a 3.45 ERA, striking out 355, and walking 115. He was traded for the third time in his career at the trade deadline on July 22, 2013 to the Texas Rangers. Garza finished the 2013 season with the Rangers and became a free agent eventually signing with the Milwaukee Brewers on January 26, 2014 for a four-year contract worth $30 million.
Garza is currently rehabbing a right groin strain and this will be his second Minor League start as he works his way back to the Major Leagues. In his previous rehab assignment, he started for the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox. He went five innings, throwing 72 pitches, allowing a run, on a home run, walked two, and struck out four.
This will be his second stint in the Midwest League. Garza pitched for the Beloit Snappers back in 2005 when they were a Minnesota Twins affiliate, but never made an appearance against the LumberKings.
About the LumberKings
The LumberKings, the only remaining Charter Member of the Midwest League, are playing their 62nd season in Clinton and their ninth as an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. Since the club's inception in 1937, 268 former Clinton players have made it to the Major Leagues. The LumberKings play at historic Ashford University Field located off 6th Avenue North at 537 Ballpark Drive. Tickets to all 70 home games are available by calling (563) 242-0727 or by visiting lumberkings.com