ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SAUNDERS GETS SENT DOWN.Byline: BEN VILLA Staff Writer ANAHEIM -- Friday night, Angels pitcher Joe Saunders Joseph Francis "Joe" Saunders (born June 16, 1981 in Falls Church, Virginia) is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Saunders played college baseball at Virginia Tech, where he compiled a 27-7 career record. took the mound with a heavy heart and pitched six scoreless innings to beat the Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Mariners have played in Safeco Field. . However, if Saunders felt like celebrating Saturday, he was going to have to do it in Utah because he's no longer an Angel. One night after Saunders improved his record to 2-0 with the Angels this season, he was optioned down to Triple-A Salt Lake to make room for Bartolo Colon, who made his season debut Saturday night against the Mariners. Before Saturday's game, Angels manager Mike Scioscia Saunders attended Virginia Tech, last pitching for the Hokies in 2002, and he's the only current major leaguer from the school. Saunders was greatly affected by the shooting tragedy that took place on the campus Monday, and two hours before Friday's game, he was granted permission by Major League Baseball "MLB" and "Major Leagues" redirect here. For other uses, see MLB (disambiguation) and Major Leagues (disambiguation). Major League Baseball (MLB) is the highest level of play in North American professional baseball. commissioner Bud Selig Allan Huber "Bud" Selig, Jr. (born July 30, 1934 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is the Commissioner of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was previously the team owner and administrator of the Milwaukee Brewers. to wear a Virginia Tech cap on the mound. "This was a tough decision, and it's never easy to send somebody down," Scioscia said. "We know Joe is ready for the challenge of being a big-league pitcher, and this shows just how much pitching depth our organization has. With Bartolo coming back, all of our starters are healthy, and Joe understands the situation. "He wasn't happy about it because he knows, and we know, he is ready." In little more than a year and a half, Saunders has established himself as a major-league starter. He's 9-3 with a 4.48 career ERA in the majors, and in three starts this season, he has a 1.96 ERA and two wins. While visibly disappointed Saturday while standing by his locker just moments after he got the bad news from Scioscia, Saunders said pitching for an organization with so much depth isn't necessarily a bad thing. "Just because we have so many great pitchers isn't a bad thing, not really," Saunders said. "I love this organization, I love pitching here, and it's nice to have friendly competition with the guys. "Obviously though, I'm in a tough situation because there are so many good starters here. It's always a battle to stay in the rotation." Starting five healthy: The main reason Saunders is being sent down is because Kelvim Escobar Kelvim Jose Escobar Bolivar [ess-coe-BAR] (born April 11, 1976 in La Guaira, Venezuela) is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who currently plays for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2004-present). He bats and throws right handed. is ready to come off the disabled list and pitch Tuesday night against Detroit. The Angels' starting five of Weaver, Colon, Escobar, John Lackey John Derran Lackey (born October 23, 1978, in Abilene, Texas) is a major league baseball starting pitcher from Abilene, Texas. He has played for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim his entire career. and Ervin Santana Ervin Ramon Santana (born December 12, 1982 in La Romana, Dominican Republic) is a right-handed starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Career Santana was a starting pitcher for the Angels' double-A affiliate, the Arkansas Travelers early in 2005, where he is now intact. When the season started, Weaver and Colon were on the disabled list, which gave Saunders and Dustin Moseley Dustin Aaron Moseley (born December 26, 1981 in Texarkana, Arkansas) is a pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Minor League Career Moseley was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the first round (34th overall) of the 2000 draft. an opportunity to show they belong in the big leagues. CAPTION(S): box Box: ANGELS vs. SEATTLE - Ben Villa |
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