Shorebird of the week 4-13-2006

Arturo Rivas loosens up during a 2005 contest.

This week’s Shorebird of the week is last night’s hero, Arturo Rivas, pictured here from a game last July. Last night he came on to pinch-hit in the bottom of the ninth, two outs, bases loaded in a tie game – a situation every kid dreams about. While it wasn’t the seventh game of the World Series, Rivas did deliver the game-winning base hit through the middle and lifted the Shorebirds to a 5-4 comeback win over Lake County.

The 22 year old Venezuelan native was among the top Shorebirds in most offensive categories in 2005 as he spent the entire season here, hitting .251 in 125 games. His 9 home runs and 62 RBI were good for second place behind Jason Fransz.

So far in 2006 Rivas is off to a decent start, hitting .273 (6 for 22) in 7 games played, with a home run and 3 RBI to his credit. He figures to be an important part of the Shorebirds’ plans as long as he remains with the team this season.

Author: Michael

It's me from my laptop computer.