Dayton Dragons hurler Franderlyn Romero is the Midwest League Pitcher of the Week. (Dragons photo)

Dayton Dragons RHP Franderlyn Romero and Bowling Green Hot Rods outfielder Manny Sanchez respectively were named the Midwest League pitcher and offensive player of the week for the period of April 25-May 1.

Romero made two starts during that period, including a stellar one against the Kane County Cougars last Tuesday. He struck out 12 and took a no-hitter into the 8th inning, giving up only a single without walking anyone in 7.2 innings. He didn’t fare as well against the Clinton LumberKings on Sunday, taking the loss after giving up one unearned run on four hits and two walks while striking out only one batter in 3.1 innings.

During the past week, Sanchez batted .409 (9-for-22) with two homers, five runs batted in, and seven runs scored. In 16 games this season, he is batting .310 with 3 HR and 9 RBI.

Curtis makes MLB debut

Former Cougars closer Zac Curtis made his major-league debut for the Arizona Diamondbacks versus the Colorado Rockies on Saturday. He entered the game with one out in the top of the 9th inning and runners on first and second. He needed only three pitches to get Colorado’s Gerardo Parra to hit into an inning-ending double play.

Curtis led the Midwest League and set a Cougars single-season record with 33 saves last year. He posted a 1.33 ERA with 75 strikeouts and 12 walks in 54 innings pitched for Kane County. (You can see a photo of him pitching for the Cougars here.)

Incidentally, Parra also played in the Midwest League. He batted .320 with 6 HR, 57 RBI and 24 SB in 110 games with the 2007 South Bend Silver Hawks.