Garcia Is Class of the California League

Right-hander Carlos Garcia of the San Bernardino Stampede has made his first season of professional baseball in the United States a successful one.

Garcia, a native of Empalme in Sonora, Mexico, has been selected as the Class-A California League’s pitcher of the year.

Garcia has a 14-6 record and league-leading 2.58 earned-run average in 26 starts. “Carlos has been the most dominant pitcher in the league this season from beginning to end,” Stampede Manager Dino Ebel said.

Garcia pitched for three years in the Mexican League, compiling a 22-6 record and a 3.62 ERA.

Shortstop Joe Thurston, the Stampede leadoff batter, also was named to the league’s all-star team. He is batting a team-high .303 with four home runs and 70 runs batted in.

Outfielder Nicolas Alvarez and relief pitcher Adrian Aguilera of Yakima were named to the Northwest League all-star team. Alvarez is batting .305 with with nine homers, and Aguilera has five saves and a 3.03 ERA.

Great Falls pitcher Ricardo Rodriguez (9-3, 2.01) leads the Pioneer League in victories and ERA.