Lucas French Named IL Pitcher of the Week!

Left-hander Lucas French displayed dominating stuff in two starts last week, but surprisingly has only a 0-1 record to show for it. He far and away led the International League with 16.0 innings pitched
(next highest was 13.1) and 18 strikeouts (next highest was 12). Last Monday on the road against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, French was credited with a complete game despite losing 1-0 to the IL North leaders. He allowed just one run on seven hits and one walk in 8.0 innings and matched his season high with 8 strikeouts, but his teammates mustered only two hits against three Yankee hurlers.

Yesterday afternoon at Rochester, French was even better. Pitching in the second game of a doubleheader, he limited the Red Wings to one run on four hits while issuing no walks and striking out 10, a new season-high. Once again French threw 8.0 strong innings (in a game originally scheduled for 7 frames), but he left with the score tied 1-1 and did not factor in the decision. French is now 4-4 on the year, though his 3.01 ERA and .240 opponent’s batting average suggest he has been better
than his record indicates.

23-year-old Lucas French is in his first season playing above the Double-A level. Last year with Erie he went 9-11 with a 4.02 ERA in 27 games. This May he made his Major League debut for the Tigers, appearing in two games as a reliever. He did not allow a run in 3.0 innings. French is a native of Salina, Kansas.

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