DURHAM, N.C.- With an undefeated 3-0 mark in the month of August, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks RHP Jose Almarante has been named the American Association’s Rawlings Pitcher of the Month for August.
Almarante tossed 45.1 innings over the course of the month, allowing just seven earned runs on 33 hits and five walks. He struck out 32.
The Dominican Republic native’s first start of the month came on August 5 at the St. Paul Saints. Over 6.2 innings, he allowed one run on seven hits and no walks, striking out seven. The RedHawks’ offense helped Almarante earn the win in a 4-2 Fargo-Moorhead triumph. He returned to the mound on August 10 to battle the Wichita Wingnuts, and dazzled in an eight-inning start. Almarante did not allow a run, surrendering a mere three hits without walking a batter. He struck out seven, picking up the win in Fargo-Moorhead’s 1-0 victory. His next start occurred August 16 at the Sioux City Explorers, and once again, Almarante worked eight shutout innings. He allowed two hits and a walk, striking out five. Unfortunately, Almarante took a no-decision as the RedHawks fell 1-0.
He faced the Saints once again on August 21, making a home start which spanned 6.2 innings. Almarante allowed three runs on nine hits, walking three and striking out only one, but the RedHawks backed him up, delivering a 7-6 win to hand Almarante a no-decision. His last win of the month came August 26 against the Sioux Falls Canaries, an eight-inning outing in which he allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits and no walks. Almarante struck out six as the RedHawks won 4-3. His final start of the month was an eight-inning start on August 31 against the Kansas City T-Bones. Almarante allowed just one run on five hits and one walk. He once again struck out six in a 2-1 Fargo-Moorhead loss.
Almarante is now 4-1 with a 2.35 ERA over 24 games (14 starts) in 2016. He has struck out 83 in 110.2 innings of work.
This is his first year in the American Association after spending seven years (2008-2014) in the St. Louis Cardinals system. Almarante pitched with the Class AAA Memphis Redbirds in 2013 and 2014. He set a personal best with 58 strikeouts over 66.2 innings in 2013, appearing with Memphis as well as the Class AA Springfield Cardinals and Class A Advanced Palm Beach Cardinals.
Fargo-Moorhead opens a road series at the Winnipeg Goldeyes on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. Central time. The series can be seen live and for free at www.americanassociationbaseball.tv.
Rawlings is the official baseball of the American Association. They are located in St. Louis, MO and are the official helmet of Major League Baseball and the exclusive supplier of baseballs to Major League Baseball since 1977. For more information about Rawlings go to: http://www.rawlings.com.
