Lloyd, Eldred Take Final Weekly Awards of First Half

Sioux City Explorers infielder Matt Lloyd and Kane County Cougars starter C.J. Eldred earned the American Association’s Pointstreak Batter and Pitcher of the Week awards for the week ending July 16th, the league announced Monday.

Lloyd was outstanding this week for an Explorers team that has been red hot as of late, leading his team to a huge series win on the road against Fargo-Moorhead over the weekend.

The all-star starter hit .480 (12-for-25) across six games to lead the league including three home runs, six runs batted in and four walks as well.

Lloyd’s highlight of the week was Sunday, when he hit two home runs in the first two innings against the RedHawks, driving in three in the Explorer’s rubber match victory.

On the pitching side, Eldred made a very solid start against Sioux Falls on Saturday night, helping the Cougars clinch the series victory in their final set of the first half.

Eldred went six innings without allowing an earned run, allowing just four hits along the way and striking out seven Canaries as well.

The Milwaukee native is in his first season of American Association baseball after being in the Kansas City Royals organization for four seasons. 

Pointstreak is the official statistician of the American Association.