Mike Ballard Earns First Big-League Callup

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NEW YORK – Former Virginia pitcher Mike Ballard was called up to the major leagues for the first time Sunday when he was brought up by the Baltimore Orioles. Ballard was in uniform and available to pitch for the Orioles’ in their Sunday game at Yankee Stadium against the New York Yankees.

Ballard is the second former Virginia baseball player to reach the major leagues this season, joining Brandon Guyer, who debuted with the Tampa Bay Rays in May. Ballard is the 28th Cavalier all-time to reach the big leagues.

Ballard, a 27-year-old left-hander, was 6-1 with a 2.88 ERA for the double-A Bowie Baysox this season. He was picked in the 14th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball First-Year Player by Texas.

Ballard pitched from 2003-06 at Virginia. He racked up a 19-8 record and 3.50 ERA in 218.2 innings in a Cavalier uniform.