Photo Credit: Lincoln Saltdogs
DURHAM, N.C.- The official statistician of the American Association, Pointstreak, has announced that Lincoln Saltdogs RHP Derek Gordon (pictured) has been named the league’s Rawlings Pitcher of the Month for the month of July.
Gordon made six starts over the course of the month, and went 5-0. He struck out 31 opposing hitters in 41 innings. For his efforts in his first two starts of the month, Gordon was named the American Association’s Pointstreak Pitcher of the Week for the week ending July 9.
Gordon made a pair of strong starts that week, helping the Saltdogs to two victories. He first started July 3 at the Texas AirHogs, twirling eight shutout frames. He limited the AirHogs to just three hits and walked only two batters in his outing, striking out nine in the process. Gordon took a no-decision, though, as Lincoln needed extra innings to earn a 3-1 win.
He returned to the mound on July 8 to face the Cleburne Railroaders on the road, and held Cleburne to just one run on six hits over seven innings. Gordon walked two and struck out two, earning the win in a 7-1 Lincoln triumph. The win would start a five-game win streak which still holds.
Gordon’s next start came July 13, when he tossed a complete game shutout against the Salina Stockade at home. Over the nine innings, he scattered five hits and three walks, striking out four. One of Gordon’s more hard-fought wins of the whole season came July 18 at the Kansas City T-Bones. He worked five innings, allowing three runs on five hits. Lincoln’s offense supported Gordon, as he earned the win in a 6-5 Saltdogs triumph.
Facing the Wichita Wingnuts on July 23, Gordon allowed a run on four hits in six innings. He struck out seven in a convincing 8-2 Lincoln victory. Gordon ended the month with another win, working six innings on July 31 against the St. Paul Saints. He allowed two runs on four hits, striking out seven Saints in a dominating 13-2 Saltdogs win at home.
On the season, Gordon is now 7-2 with a 2.77 ERA. Over 14 games, 13 of them starts, Gordon has struck out 72 and walked 30 in 87.2 innings. He is tied for fifth in the American Association in wins and fourth in ERA.
2017 marks Gordon’s first season with Lincoln, but second in the American Association. He pitched in 2014 for the Kansas City T-Bones, making 14 appearances. From there, Gordon spent two seasons in the Kansas City Royals system, the same organization for which his brother, Alex, plays for at the Major League level. After posting a 2-3 record and 3.47 ERA for the Rookie-level Idaho Falls Chukars of the Pioneer League in 2015, Gordon was 2-2 with a 4.38 ERA in 2016 for the Class A Adavnced Wilmington (Del.) Blue Rocks of the Carolina League.
The Saltdogs host the St. Paul Saints on Tuesday night at 6:45 p.m. Central time. The game 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.
