Butler alum Neshek makes Major League debut with Minnesota Twins

July 9, 2006

Arlington, Texas - Pat Neshek, a three-year letterwinner as a pitcher on the Butler baseball team from 2000-2002, made a successful Major League debut Friday night (July 7) with two innings of scoreless relief for the Minnesota Twins.

Neshek allowed one hit and recorded one strikeout in the Twins' 9-4 loss to the Texas Rangers. He was called up to the parent club from Triple-A Rochester on Thursday (July 6).

Neshek had been the Red Wings' primary closer this season, touting a 1.95 ERA in 60.0 innings pitched. He carried a 6-2 record on the year while leading the team with 14 saves and 87 strikeouts.

He is the second former recruit of Butler head coach Steve Farley to reach the Major League level. Dan Johnson, who played one season with the Bulldogs (1998), is currently a member of the Oakland A's.

Neshek closed out his three-year tenure as the Bulldog's record holder for strikeouts in a game, season and career. The 25-year-old Brooklyn Park, Minn. native was a sixth-round selection by the Twins in the June, 2002 free agent draft.