Former RiverHawk Dowdy in big-league exhibition

FROM PRESS RELEASE - LOVES PARK, Ill. – A former Rockford RiverHawk has turned up in a big-league box score.

Relief pitcher Justin Dowdy pitched for the San Francisco Giants in their 15-3 loss to Kansas City last Friday in a spring-training game Surprise, Ariz. Dowdy pitched a third of an inning and gave up run-scoring singles to the Royals’ Wilson Betemit and Mitch Maier.

Dowdy, who pitched for the RiverHawks in 2003-04, was a two-time Frontier League All-Star. Dowdy, who was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 2001, is with his seventh major-league organization. He has also pitched for the San Diego, Seattle, Anaheim, Oakland and Tampa Bay organizations. Dowdy signed with the Rays late last season and was plucked off the Class AA Montgomery roster by the Giants in the minor-league phase of the Rule V draft.

The southpaw holds a unique distinction – he’s the only RiverHawk to be signed off the Rockford roster on two different occasions. He was signed by the Mariners at the 2003 all-star break and by the Angels at the break the following season.

Dowdy is believed to be the second former RiverHawk to play in a major-league exhibition. Jason Jamesplayed in one game for the Chicago Cubs last spring.

Dowdy is one of four former RiverHawks in affiliated camps this spring. Infielder Jake Eigsti is with the Royals, catcher Travis Scott with Pittsburgh and pitcher Taylor Sinclair is in Arizona’s minor-league camp.

The RiverHawks will play their 10th season this summer. Advertising and ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit www.rockfordriverhawks.com.