June 15, 2009

FORMER RAM, SIZEMORE, EARNS PROMOTION TO TRIPLE-A TOLEDO

TOLEDO, Ohio – Scott Sizemore is one step closer to achieving his lifelong dream.

After a successful start to the 2009 season with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves, the former Virginia Commonwealth University baseball standout was promoted to the Detroit Tigers’ Triple-A affiliate Toledo Mud Hens on Sunday.

“My whole philosophy is to take care of business where you’re at and if something good happens and you get called up, it’s just that much better,” Sizemore said following his promotion.  “It’s a huge honor and it’s one step closer to my lifelong goal.”

Sizemore, who sat out Sunday’s game against New Hampshire, learned of the promotion when he was summoned to Erie manager Tom Brookens’ office following the contest.

“When you get called into the office, it’s either something good or something bad, and luckily this time it was good news,’’ Sizemore said.

“There’s not a better thing in this game than being able to call a guy in and telling him he’s going to Triple-A or the big leagues,’’ added Brookens. “That’s good for him because he’s earned it.’’

Entering Sunday, Sizemore, who recovered form a broken bone in his left wrist that ended his season with Single-A Lakeland in 2008, led Erie with 70 hits as well as a team-best 17 doubles, four triples and 35 walks.  He was also among the top-10 in the Eastern League in nearly every offensive category, including a .307 batting average.

In three-plus minor league seasons, Sizemore owns a .292 average in more than 300 games, while hitting 20 homeruns with 138 RBI and 198 runs scored.

Sizemore will have his first chance to take the field with Toledo tonight as the Mud Hens begin an eight-game road trip against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.