08/01/2007

Ex-Bum signs with the Rays

Reliever Davis will pitch for Class A squad

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Davis

TRAVERSE CITY — It's somewhat fitting that a submarine-style pitcher ended up with a team on the ocean.

Former Traverse City Beach Bums relief pitcher Hunter Davis has signed a contract with the Tampa Bay Devils Rays. He has been assigned to the Class A Columbus Catfish of the South Atlantic League.

Davis pitched out of the Traverse City bullpen in 2006 when he was a Frontier League All-Star.

He led the Beach Bums in appearances with 42 in 2006 and posted a 5-3 record with nine saves and a 2.65 ERA.

Davis struck out 51 batters in 54&1/3 innings as a Beach Bum. Opponents hit just .209 against him.

Davis was signed by Tampa Bay out of the independent Can-Am League, where he pitched for the New Jersey Jackals. He was 1-1 with a save and a 1.15 ERA for the Jackals in 15&2/3 innings over 11 games.

He began 2007 in the American Association with the Pensacola Pelicans and made 23 appearances with a record of 2-1 to go along with six saves and an ERA of 1.00 in 27 innings.

Davis becomes the second former Beach Bums pitcher to be picked up by a Major League affiliated team.

Ryan Ariail pitched for the Bums in their inaugural season was signed by the Baltimore Orioles in November of 2006 and was released in spring training. He now pitches for the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the independent Northern League.