Crimson Tide in Major League Baseball
8/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Photo Credit: Milwaukee Brewers
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Crimson Tide baseball program currently has six players seeing action in Major League Baseball and making an impact in the league. The list includes: Jimmy Nelson, David Robertson, Josh Rutledge, Tommy Hunter, Adam Morgan and Alex Avila.
Nelson made his first start of August count, tossing 6.2 innings and limiting the San Diego Padres to just one unearned run on three hits while walking one and striking out four to earn his ninth win of the season. He has been red-hot as of late, going 6-1 with a 1.88 ERA (11 ER/52.2 IP), including a month of July in which he held a lowly 1.64 ERA (6 ER/33.0 IP) and collected three wins in his five starts. Nelson leads the Milwaukee Brewers in wins (9), ERA (3.57) and strikeouts (114) across his 22 starts in 2015.
Robertson earned his career-high tying fifth win on Wednesday, tossing 2.0 innings of scoreless, hitless work and notching four punchouts. The steady closer has also collected 22 saves for the Chicago White Sox in his 41 appearances thus far. Robertson has limited opposing hitters to a .190 (31-163) average and has struck out 63 batters compared to just 11 walks. The Southside has been good to Robertson with the righty notching four wins, 12 saves, a 1.23 ERA (4 ER/29.1 IP) and 45 strikeouts compared to just four walks inside U.S. Cellular Field.
Rutledge, who was with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim organization, was traded to the Boston Red Sox on July 27. Rutledge was called up just two days after changing teams, and saw action immediately, entering as a defensive sub in that night's game. He would make appearances in three consecutive games following his call-up, including a start at third base on July 31 in which he recorded his first hit as a member of the Red Sox.
Hunter was acquired on July 31 at the deadline by the Chicago Cubs to help bolster the bullpen. The right-hander appeared the very next day to earn his first save of the season across 0.2 inning of scoreless work. He entered in a relief effort three days later, tossing 1.0 inning to help the Cubs secure the 5-0 shutout in Pittsburgh over the Pirates. Hunter owned a 2.53 ERA (3 ER/10.2 IP) across nine outings in July and has lowered his ERA every month since the start of the season.
Following his call-up on June 21, Phillies starter Adam Morgan has collected two wins and 21 strikeouts. His two wins have come against division leaders, including a win in Toronto against the Blue Jays and his second victory versus the St. Louis Cardinals. The left-hander has limited opponents to three earned runs or less in five of his seven starts and has continued to provide a steady presence in the Phillies starting rotation.
Avila has dealt with injuries all season in Detroit, playing in 44 games for the Tigers. He has split playing time between catcher (31 games) and first base (13 games) so far, and has maintained a clean slate on defense, committing zero errors across his 295 total chances.
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