Former Fresno State pitcher Matt Garza and the Tampa Rays won the ALCS.
Oct. 20, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. -
Former Fresno State and current Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Matt Garza pitched the seventh game of the ALCS series beating the Boston Red Sox, 3-1. Garza threw seven innings recording nine strikeouts, two hits, one run and was named the ALCS Most Valuable Player.
"Matt (Garza) is a tremendous worker, one of the best we have had," said Fresno State coach Mike Batesole. "He has a million dollar arm, he is one of the few on the planet who can be in the mid-90's on his 110th pitch."
The Rays are the first team to go from the worst to the best and are now appearing in the World Series for the first time in organization history. Garza recorded a 3.70 ERA, has thrown 128 strikeouts, and earned a record of 11-9 in the 2008 season.
"He has learned how to win and how to win on a big stage," said Batesole. "We couldn't be prouder of what he has become as a Big League pitcher."
Garza joined the Rays in 2008 after moving his way up the Minnesota Twins organizations. Prior to getting drafted Garza excelled as a Bulldog.
Garza earned First Team All-WAC honors and was named WAC Pitcher of the Year in 2005. He posted an ERA of 3.07 with a record of 6-5. He also struck out 120 batters in 108 innings pitched. He was the first pitcher in several years to record as many saves as wins.
Garza and the Rays host Philadelphia in the best of seven series beginning on Wednesday Oct. 22.
