Green Helping Struggling SeaWolves

The Erie SeaWolves had the best record in the Angels’ organization last season, 81-61, under Manager Garry Templeton. In their first year in double-A and as an Angel affiliate, the SeaWolves won the Eastern League Southern Division championship.

But Erie hasn’t been as successful this season under new Manager Don Wakamatsu. One of the SeaWolves’ bright spots has been right-handed pitcher Steve Green, a 10th-round pick in 1997 out of Longueul, Quebec. Through Friday, Green had accounted for a third of Erie’s 18 victories. The SeaWolves have the Eastern League’s worst record.

Green, 22, was the Eastern League player of the week from May 15-21 after going 2-0 with a 0.81 earned-run average. He followed that up with seven scoreless innings of five-hit ball Tuesday night in a 7-0 victory over Altoona. Green struck out 10 and didn’t walk a batter. He improved to 6-3 with a 3.11 ERA. His 57 strikeouts place him fourth in the Eastern League.

Third baseman Chris Walther, a 23-year-old picked up in the 1998 Rule 5 draft from Milwaukee, backed Green with four hits and two runs batted in.

Lake Elsinore outfielders Gary Johnson and Elpidio Guzman were selected to the California League All-Star team that will face the Carolina League All-Stars in Kinston, N.C., on June 20.