Former Bull Steve Geltz Gets Major League Call Up
9/2/2014 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BUFFALO, NY - Former University at Buffalo baseball player and Ransomville, NY native Steve Geltz was called up to the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday afternoon and appeared in his first contest with the squad later that night.
"I am really happy for Steve to get this opportunity," said head baseball coach Ron Torgalski. " He has been throwing well all summer long and he deserves the opportunity to prove himself at the highest level for a great organization like the Tampa Bay Rays."
In his first appearance with the Rays, Geltz allowed one hit and recorded the inning-ending strikeout in Tampa Bay's 4-3 victory.
Geltz, who pitched for the Durham Bulls at the AAA level, is making his second appearance in the majors as in 2012 he appeared in two games for the Anaheim Angels.
Geltz, 26, is getting his second big league call up after posting a 2.38 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP, 60 strikeouts and a 3.5 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 41 2/3 innings for Triple-A Durham this season.
Prior to Geltz, Joe Hesketh was the last Buffalo player to appear in the major leagues as he played through the 1994 season.
Geltz -- listed at 5-foot-10, 170 pounds -- has been in the minor leagues for seven seasons and has appeared in 241 games while posting a 3.38 ERA, 17 saves, 481 K's and held his opponents to an .198 batting average.
