Sept. 1, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Former Penn State standout Craig Clark has been named California League Pitcher of the Year after a stellar campaign for the high-A San Jose Giants. The lefty, who pitched for the Nittany Lions from 2004-07, owns a 15-2 record with a 3.01 ERA for the playoff-bound Giants.
Clark has enjoyed one of the best seasons in San Jose history, making 24 appearances (23 starts). He is riding a franchise-record 14-game winning streak dating back to May 13. His 10 consecutive strikeouts against Stockton on June 1 also set a team record and tied the California League mark.
The win total is second in the California League while he is second in ERA and fifth in strikeouts with 132. The 15 wins also stand second-best in all of Minor League Baseball. He has been perfect at home with an 11-0 record and 2.09 ERA at Municipal Stadium.
All Clark has done ever since joining the professional ranks is win, owning a 30-9 career record. He opened his career at low-A in 2007, posting a 5-3 record with a 2.98 ERA. Then in 2008, he advanced to single-A Augusta where he was 8-4 with a 3.51 ERA. Clark has played the entire 2009 season with the high-A Giants.
San Jose has dominated competition with a 45-18 second half record, a full 10 games ahead of second place Bakersfield in the Cal North standings. This came after winning the first half with a 42-28 mark. Entering September, the Giants own an 87-46 overall record, 16 games ahead of Modesto who owns the next best division record.
By winning the first half championship, San Jose earned a first round bye and will open its best-of-five Division Series at home on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 2 p.m. Should it advance, the championship series is scheduled to begin on Sept. 17.
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