Brian Fuentes #40

Brian Christopher Fuentes was originally signed by Mariners' scout Rodney Davis...graduated from Merced Junior College in 1996 where he was a two-time all-league performer...played for the United States in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006...was given the nickname "Tito" by his high school baseball coach...married, Barbara...has four children: Giovanni, Benicio & Gabriella (twins), and Farrah.

2011

Was the A's closer the first two months of the season due to Andrew Bailey's injury...struggled early in the season...was 1-8 with 12 saves, three blown saves, a 5.09 ERA and .257 opponents batting average in his first 38 appearances through July 1...then went 1-0 with no save opportunities, a 1.57 ERA and .205 opponents batting average over his final 29 appearances...was 2-8 with a 3.70 ERA in 67 appearances overall...ranked second among American League relievers in losses, tied for third in unearned runs (6), tied for seventh in intentional walks (5) and tied for 10th in hit batters (4) and runs allowed (30)... the eight losses were a career high and the 30 runs matched his high...the losses were the most by an A's reliever since Jim Mecir also had eight in 2001...struck out just 42 in 58.1 innings for a career-low average of 6.48 strikeouts per nine innings...allowed a .237 opponents batting average, which broke down to .221 (30-for-136) against right-handed hitters and .265 (22-for-83) against left-handers...issued 16 of his 20 walks to righties...opponents hit .286 with runners in scoring position but that dropped to .154 with RISP and two outs...has yielded a .181 (48-for-265) average with RISP and two outs in his career...first batters faced were 15 for 61 (.246) with six walks (.313 on-base percentage) and three home runs...now has a .207 (114-for-550) career average against first batters, which ranks seventh among active pitchers...allowed 7 of 28 (25.0%) inherited runners to score...compiled a 1.67 ERA and .184 opponents batting average in 31 outings during the day and a 5.46 ERA and .281 opponents average in 36 appearances at night...was charged with seven of his eight losses during night games...had a 4.82 ERA and all eight of his losses before the All-Star Break...posted a 1.71 ERA after the break...logged a 5.19 ERA in 32 appearances at home, compared to a 2.51 ERA in 35 outings on the road...was 0-3 with a save and an 8.53 ERA in nine interleague games...had a 2.28 career ERA in interleague play entering the season...opponents were 6 for 7 (85.7%) in stolen base attempts, the most steals he has allowed in his career...tossed fewer than 1.0 innings in 22 of his 67 appearances.

OAKLAND: Was charged with the loss in his first outing of the season April 2 against Seattle when he allowed three runs in the ninth inning of the A's 5-2 loss...then recorded the save in each of his next five outings from April 7-13, retiring 17 of the 19 batters he faced...matched his career highs with six runs (also July 8, 2006 vs. Arizona) and three walks (Sept. 25, 2007 at Los Angeles-NL) in an 8-4, 10-inning loss against Detroit April 15...it was his second loss and first blown save of the season...struck out a season-high three batters in 1.1 scoreless innings April 24 at Seattle for his sixth save...allowed three runs on a season-high four hits and took the loss in a 4-1 decision against Cleveland May 3...was tagged

2010

Started the season as the closer with Los Angeles (AL) but finished it in a set-up role with Minnesota following a late August trade...combined for a 4-1 record, 24 saves and a 2.81 ERA in 48 relief appearances...allowed a .181 opponents batting average, which ranked fifth lowest among American League relievers...it was his lowest mark since posting a .171 opponents average in 10 games in his rookie season of 2001...issued 20 walks for a .273 opponents on-base percentage, which is a career low...first batters faced hit .122, which was fifth lowest in the AL...now has a .202 (99 for 489) average against first batters in his career, which ranks fifth best among active pitchers...his opponents batting average broke down to .128 (6 for 47) against left-handed hitters and .202 (25 for 124) against righthanders...allowed just one extra base hit to lefties (double) for a .149 slugging percentage...righties slugged .403...posted a 4.26 ERA and .219 opponents batting average in 26 outings before the All-Star Break, a 1.19 ERA and .133 opponents average in 22 appearances after the break...converted 24 of 28 (85.7%) save opportunities and allowed 1 of 3 (33.3%) inherited runners to score...compiled a 0.90 ERA in 10 outings on no days rest...yielded a .144 average with the bases empty, .239 with runners on...did not allow a run and converted all 10 of his save opportunities in 15 outings against AL West teams (14.0 ip, 2 h, 2 bb, 15 so).

2009

In first season as an Angel, was 1-5 with 48 saves (55 chances) and a 3.93 ERA (55 IP - 24 ER) in 65 games...48 saves led the Majors and ranks second most in Angels' history...Allowed 53 hits (6 HR), walked 24 and struck out 46...Became just second left-hander in history to have a 30- save season in both leagues (Randy Myers)...Set American League record for most saves by a pitcher in his first season with a team (previously 45 by Joe Borowski - 2007 Indians)...Made Angels' debut, April 6 vs. Athletics, earning save with a perfect ninth...Tossed 17 consecutive scoreless innings from June 4 to July 23, posting 1-0 record with 17 saves during that span...Was named to fourth All-Star team, first time for American League (did not make appearance)...Has converted 78 of last 87 save opportunities...Recorded 500th career strikeout, June 4 at Blue Jays (SV; 1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 SO)...Has recorded 30-or-more saves in four of last five seasons.

2008

Reemerged as Rockies closer and went 1-5 with 30 saves and a 2.73 ERA (62.2 IP - 19 ER)...His 2.73 ERA ranked 13th among NL relievers while his save total was T-6th in the NL...Recorded his second career 30-save season as he became the only Rockie with multiple 30-save seasons in franchise history...Finished the season as Rox all-time franchise leader in saves (115) and is only the 4th left-hander all-time to lead a franchise in saves, joining John Franco (NYM), Billy Wagner (HOU) and Dan Plesac (MIL)...Converted each of last 17 save opportunities...His save streak was the 2nd-longest active streak in the majors at the completion of the season, behind Brad Lidge's streak (41 saves)...Went 23-for-his-last 24 in save opportunities and was 30-for-34 in saves overall...His 88.2 save pct. was T-2nd (Trevor Hoffman) in the NL behind Lidge (100.0)...Struck out 54 of the final 118 batters he faced from July 3-end of the season...His strikeouts per 9 innings rate (15.85 K's/9 ip) led all MLB pitchers in that span (min. 20 ip)...Overall averaged 11.78 K's/9 inn. in 2008, the 3rd-best mark among NL relievers...Finished the season as the Rockies' all-time leader in strikeouts by a reliever (470) and 4th on the all-time franchise list in strikeouts...Retired 23 consecutive batters faced from 7/3-23, a new franchise record, before allowing a 2-out single to Kemp...Overall was unscored upon in 55 of 67 games... Allowed just 5 earned runs in the second half (1.75 ERA) after allowing 17 runs/14 earned prior to the All-Star break...Limited left-handed hitters to a .184 (9/49) opponent batting avg...Notched his 100th career save 7/17 vs. PIT, striking out the side...Recorded his 103rd career save 7/30 at PIT, becoming the Rockies' all-time franchise saves leader -passed Jose Jimenez (102 saves from 2000-03).

2007

Started the season as Colorado's closer, but by season's end was pitching primarily in the eighth inning...went 3-5 with a 3.08 ERA (61.1 ip, 21 er) in 64 relief appearances for the Rockies, converting 20 of 27 save opportunities...was named to the N.L. All-Star team for the third straight season, but was replaced on the roster due to a mild lat strain...is the only pitcher in Rockies history to be named to the roster multiple times...finished 38 games and registered eight holds...his six blown saves were tied for the 11th-most in the league...ranked second among Rockies relievers with 56 strikeouts and third in relief ERA...was unscored upon in 48 of 64 games...Colorado went 45-19 when he appeared in a game...averaged 8.22 strikeouts per nine innings and posted a 2.43 strikeout to walk ratio...held opposing batters at a .206 (46-for- 223) average against, lowest among all Rockies relievers...held lefties at .204 (11-for-54) and right-handers at .207 (35-for-169)...inherited just 4 baserunners, none of which scored...compiled a 3-1 record with a 1.72 ERA (31.1 ip, 6 er) in 32 outings at home, but went 0-4 with a 4.50 ERA (30.0 ip, 15 er) in 32 appearances on the road...posted a team-best 1.54 ERA (35.0 ip, 6 er) in 35 games vs. the N.L. West...retired 19 consecutive batters faced over a seven-game span from April 9-22 before one-out single by San Diego's Mike Cameron...fell shy of club record, set by Tim Harikkala when he retired 22 straight batters faced from April 20-May 1, 2004...converted 12 straight save chances from May 1-June 2...recorded 11 May saves tying Trevor Hoffman for the major league lead and set a franchise record for any single month...previous team record was 10 saves by Darren Holmes in July '95...posted a 0.81 ERA (22.1 ip, 2 er) in 23 games from April 29-June 21, lowering season figure from 4.09 to 1.89, his lowest ERA at any point in the season...made five appearances on Colorado's 10-game road trip to Toronto, Chicago-NL, and Houston from June 22-July 1...went 0-4 with a 27.00 ERA (3.1 ip, 10 er) during that span with four blown saves, each blown save a walk-off defeat...opponents hit .542 (13-for-24) during that stretch, as season ERA rose from 1.89 to 4.17...had previously not blown consecutive save chances, let alone 4 straight, since becoming Colorado's closer in 2005...according to the Elias Sports Bureau, Fuentes is the first pitcher to ever blow save opportunities in four consecutive appearances (in Major League history, or at least since the save rule was instituted in 1969)...was placed on the 15-day disabled list on July 13 with a mild strain of his left latissimus dorsi muscle (left lat)...he tossed 1.0 scoreless inning in a rehab assignment with Asheville on July 17 at Rome, but still experienced issues with the injury after the game and was not reinstated...made two rehab appearances with Triple-A Colorado Springs on Aug. 10 and 12 vs. Tacoma, tossing 2.0 scoreless innings with two strikeouts...was reinstated on Aug. 14 and pitched 0.2 inning that night at San Diego, allowing one hit, one walk, and two strikeouts...upon his return, lost the closer's role to Manny Corpas...appeared in the seventh inning on Aug. 16 at San Diego, the first time he appeared in the seventh frame since April 12, 2005 at Arizona...after returning from the disabled list, posted a 1.52 ERA (23.2 ip, 4 er) in his final 24 games to lower season mark from 4.06 to 3.08...held opposition at a .159 (13-for-82) average during that span, allowing just two extra base hits.

2006

In his first full season as a closer, Fuentes posted his second consecutive 30-save campaign, ranking eighth in the league in that category...went 3-4, 3.44 (65.1 ip, 25 er) in 66 relief appearances for Colorado, converting 30 of 36 save opportunities...became the first pitcher in franchise history with multiple 30-save seasons...in fact, prior to the consecutive 30-save campaigns for Fuentes, just three pitchers had even posted a 30-save season in Rockies annals...was selected to the All-Star Game roster for the second consecutive season, making his first career All-Star appearance with a scoreless sixth inning on July 11 in Pittsburgh...became just the second Rockies pitcher to appear in the Midsummer Classic, joining Mike Hampton (2001)...in addition to ranking eighth in the N.L. in saves, also ranked fifth in the league with 58 games finished...had 73 strikeouts, T8th-most among N.L. relievers...opposing batters hit just .209 (50-for-239), fifth-lowest average among N.L. relievers...had lowest relief ERA on staff...averaged staff-best 10.06 strikeouts per nine innings and had best strikeout to walk ratio among club's relievers (2.81)...was a member of Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, posting 3 K's in 2.1 innings...for Rox, went 1-3, 4.46 (34.1 ip, 17 er) with six home runs allowed in his 36 games with a save opportunity...was 2-1, 2.32 (31.0 ip, 8 er) in 30 games without a save chance...allowed runs in just three of those 30 outings...allowed just one of 16 inherited runners (6.3%) to score, easily the best ratio in his career...Fuentes allowed four home runs to left-handed batters, this after allowing just one total long ball to a lefty in 2004-05...prior to '06, he had not allowed a home run to a lefty since Hee Seop Choi on April 28, 2004 vs. Florida...had a 1.78 ERA (25.2 ip, 5 er) in 25 day games...over first 25 outings through June 10, compiled a 1.46 ERA (24.2 ip, 4 er), allowing runs in just four contests while going 13-for-14 in save opportunities...lone blown save in that span came April 28 at Florida, ending stretch in which Fuentes converted a franchise-record 21 consecutive save opportunities from July 25, 2005-April 27, 2006...his last blown save had been July 22, 2005 at Pittsburgh...from June 11-July 18, endured a stretch in which he went 1-3 with a 10.80 ERA (11.2 ip, 14 er) over 12 games, going just 3-for-6 in save chances in that span to raise ERA from 1.46 to season-high 4.46...beginning July 22, had a 2.17 ERA (29.0 ip, 7 er) over final 29 outings, converting 14 of 16 save chances...struck out two of three batters faced May 13 at Houston in an overpowering 9th inning...converted season-high nine consecutive save attempts April 29-June 10 before blown save June 11 vs. Los Angeles...on June 20 vs. Oakland, combined with Jason Jennings and Tom Martin on the first one-hitter in Rockies franchise history...earned second win of the year July 2 at Seattle, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings in Rockies' 11-inning, 4-3 victory...entered that game with bases loaded and one out in the ninth, striking out Raul Ibanez and inducing comeback grounder from Willie Bloomquist to end the threat...entered tie game July 8 vs. Arizona and was charged with career-high 6 runs on career-high 6 hits in 0.1 inning...gave up grand slam to Chad Tracy in the frame...after pitching in All-Star Game, followed by blowing save opportunity in first post-break appearance on July 15 at Cincinnati...tossed 15.0 consecutive scoreless innings over 14 outings from July 22-Aug. 24, longest scoreless streak of his career...converted save chances in six straight appearances from July 28-Aug. 9, but then would not have another save opportunity for nearly a month...next opportunity would come Sept. 4 at San Diego...Rox held a 5-4 lead heading into ninth in that game, when Fuentes gave up a three-run, walk-off long ball to Josh Barfield...was selected to pitch for a team of MLB players touring Japan from Nov. 2-8, making two appearances...tossed shutout ninth inning to save MLB's 8-6 win on Nov. 4 in Tokyo...blew save in final game Nov. 8 in Fukuoka, allowing one run on three hits in 0.2 inning.

2005

Brian spent the season in the Rockies bullpen, emerging as one of the National League's top closers after being moved to that role in mid-May...was the team's lone All-Star representative...was selected to the National League team in his first career appearance on an All-Star roster for the July 12 game in Detroit...did not appear in the game, but became the first reliever in franchise history and only the 3rd Rockies pitcher overall to be selected to the NL roster...went 2-5 with a 2.91 ERA (74.1 ip, 24 er) in 78 relief appearances...finished the year with 31 saves, a figure that was 9th in the NL...it matched the 3rd-highest single season saves total in franchise history, most ever by a Rockies southpaw...was successful in 31 of 34 (91.2%) save opportunities, the highest single season success rate in franchise history (minimum 20 save chances)...was also the 6th-best save percentage in the majors among qualifiers...was 31 of 33 in save attempts after taking on closer's role in mid-May...is 35-for-41 (85.4%) in save chances in his career with Colorado, the highest percentage in franchise history (minimum 40 save chances)...converted each of his final 17 save chances for the year beginning July 25, a single season franchise record...the 17 consecutive saves also matches the overall club record, also accomplished by Jose Jimenez from Sept. 23, 2001-June 1, 2002...his 35 career saves, all with the Rockies, already rank T6th-most in franchise history and are 2nd-most by a left-hander (Bruce Ruffin, 60 saves)...tallied 82 points in Rolaids Relief Man scoring, 2nd-most ever by a Rockies reliever and 9th-highest figure among NL relievers in 2005...owner of one of the longest active tenures in Colorado, Fuentes already ranks 8th in club history with 231 appearances...has 3rd-most saves in Coors Field history with 17...led Rockies with 78 appearances, T4th-most in NL, and posted lowest relief ERA among Rockies qualifiers at 2.91...had 91 strikeouts, 4th among Rockies...was 2nd-highest strikeout total among NL relievers, trailing only Houston's Brad Lidge (103), and T6th-most among major league relievers...led staff with an average of 11.02 strikeouts per 9 innings, 4th-best among NL relievers...allowed Rockies-low 0.73 HR per 9 innings...opposing batters hit just .218, lowest among Rockies relievers and 19th-lowest in the league...was 1-1, 1.26 (35.2 ip, 5 er) in 34 games with a save opportunity, but 1-4, 4.42 (38.2 ip, 19 er) in 44 games in non-save situations...established career highs in games and strikeouts...allowed 5 of 19 inherited runners to score...lefties hit just .167 (12-for-72)...all 6 home runs allowed were hit by right-handers...has permitted just one homer to a left-handed batter in the last 2 seasons, that by Hee Seop Choi on April 28, 2004 vs. Florida...posted saves for 14 different Colorado pitchers...posted nearly identical ERA's at home and on the road, 2.91 (43.1 ip, 14 er) at Coors Field and 2.90 (31.0 ip, 10 er) on the road...from May 1-July 9, his last outing prior to the All-Star break, compiled a 1.72 ERA (31.1 ip, 6 er) over 31 appearances, dropping season figure from 4.66 to 2.41...allowed one run in 1.0 inning on May 18 vs. San Francisco and received first opportunity to close a game the following day...recorded first save on May 19 vs. San Francisco, his first since Sept. 21, 2003 vs. San Diego...it was the bullpen's first save chance since Chin-hui Tsao was placed on the disabled list on May 13, a DL stint which would last the remainder of the campaign...following Tsao's DL placement, Fuentes finished games in 15 consecutive appearances from May 14-June 12...was successful in each of his first 6 save attempts through June 10...recorded first victory of the year on June 2 vs. St. Louis...on June 5 vs. Cincinnati, Fuentes posted his only save of the season longer than 1.0 inning, retiring all five batters faced...permitted HR to Nook Logan on June 12 vs. Detroit in a non-save situation...the long ball snapped a stretch of 48 games and 43.1 innings, including 35 games and 29.1 innings in 2005, without allowing a home run...was his first homer allowed since Phil Nevin went deep on Sept. 5, 2004 at San Diego...suffered first blown save since moving to closer's role on June 15 at Cleveland...matched season high with 2.0 innings in that game, also matching a career high with five strikeouts in that contest, his most all season...suffered third and final blown save of the year, just his second since becoming the closer, on July 22 at Pittsburgh...beginning July 25 vs. New York-NL-, would convert final 17 save chances of the season...from July 29-Sept. 16, compiled a 1.13 ERA (24.0 ip, 3 er) over 24 appearances to drop ERA to 2.41, his lowest mark of the second half...allowed runs in just two of 24 games in that stretch, including a pair of runs on Aug. 21 vs. Chicago-NL...gave up solo homers in that contest to both Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez, just the third time in his career to allow multiple homers in a game, first since 2002...posted saves in season-high four consecutive outings twice, Aug. 2-8 and Aug. 24-29...had 9 saves in August, 2nd-highest total in the league (Todd Jones, 12) and his career high for a month...allowed five runs over his final four outings to raise his season-ending ERA from 2.41 to 2.91.

2004

Fuentes missed 62 games with a strained back muscle and landed on the disabled list for the first time in his Major League career, June 7-Aug. 15...his absence no doubt contributed to the bullpen struggles, as the club set Major League records for relief losses and blown saves...when healthy, Brian continued to get the call in late situations, never making an appearance before the seventh inning...41 of his 47 appearances came in the eighth inning or beyond...despite missing significant time, he still accounted for 13 relief holds, third most on the team...finished with the highest ERA (5.64) of his nine-year professional career but still struckout 48 batters in 44.2 innings...retired 35-of-47 first batters faced (.745), only percentage points behind Tim Harikkala for the team lead...struggled at Coors Field, posting a 8.10 ERA in 23 appearances (23.1 innings)...this, after entering the year with a 2.58 career ERA in 59 appearances at Coors...on the other hand, was better away from home in 2004 than he had ever been, posting a 2.95 road ERA (21.1 ip, 7 er)...made Colorado's Opening Day roster for the second straight year and began the season by pitching scoreless baseball in 14 of his first 16 appearances, allowing just 17 baserunners while holding the opposition to a .183 average against...was especially tough on left-handed batters before the back injury, holding them to a .143 clip (4-for-28) throughout April and May...from June on, lefties hit for .273 (9-for-33)...nevertheless, in 67 plate appearances, lefties managed just four extra-base hits and two walks against the southpaw...after a rehab stint in Colorado Springs (AAA) from Aug. 3-14, Brian returned to the Rockies and made four appearances in his first week back...on Aug. 20, Montreal touched him for two runs in 2.0 innings, marking the first runs he had ever allowed in the month of August after 18 scoreless outings (17.0 ip)...made six consecutive shutout appearances (7.0 ip) over a 10-day stretch from Sept. 14-23, giving up just two hits and two walks in the process...it was the third time in '04 that he put together a string of at least six straight scoreless outings, also doing so to open the season (April 6-18) and to begin the month of May (May 2-17)...appeared in seven games during the final nine days of September, including both games of a Sept. 23rd doubleheader vs. Arizona.

2003

Day-in-and-day-out Colorado's most consistent reliever, Fuentes led the staff in ERA (2.75), average against (.231), relief innings (75.1) and tied Javier Lopez for the team lead with 75 appearances...his ERA ranked 14th among all NL relievers, while his average against finished 20th...the opposition hit just .205 off Fuentes with runners on base (27-for-132), 12th best in the NL...struckout at least one batter in 52 of his 75 appearances, totaling 82 K's in 75.1 innings (9.8 per 9.0 IP)...fanned nearly two-and-a-half batters for every walk (82/34)...became the team's most dependable late-inning reliever during the second half of the season, even assuming the closer role at times...beginning July 1, Brian took the mound from the eighth inning on in 34 of his final 39 appearances...was 4-for-6 in save opportunities overall but a perfect 4-for-4 when entering in the eighth or ninth inning...led the Rockies with 19 relief holds, tied for eighth in the NL...posted a 2.40 ERA and 3 saves at Coors Field while allowing just 2 home runs (41.1 ip, 11 er)...had a 3.18 ERA and one save in 35 road appearances (34.0 ip, 12 er)...was equally tough against righties and lefties, holding RHB to a .227 average (39-for-172) and LHB to a .238 mark (25-for- 105) with only one home run...held lefties homerless for 99 straight at-bats until Sean Burroughs took him deep on Sept. 21 at Coors...retired 51-of-75 first batters faced (.680) and stranded 76% of his inherited runners (31/41)...the lefty was named to his first Opening Day roster and didn't miss a single day of work throughout the season...after a couple of rocky outings to open the year, Brian pitched eight consecutive scoreless appearances covering 8.0 innings from April 11-29...struckout a batter in 13 straight appearances April 23-May 26, during which he K'd 21 in 13.0 innings...notched his first victory of the year May 26 vs. San Francisco (1.2 ip, 0 h 0 r)...compiled a career-best 14.0 scoreless innings streak June 1-27...allowed only 7 hits during that stretch with 6 walks and 16 strikeouts...had his scoreless streak snapped June 30 vs. Arizona, the only run Fuentes yielded in 14 June appearances (0.56 ERA)...from May 8 to July 4, the southpaw allowed just 2 runs over 22.2 innings (0.79 ERA)...after watching Jose Jimenez struggle to close out games in late June, manager Clint Hurdle named Fuentes and Justin Speier as the team's "co-closers"...Brian notched his first major league save on July 2 vs. Arizona, rescuing Jimenez from a bases-loaded jam in what was a 6-2 Rockies win...picked up his second save three days later on July 5 at Miller Park...moved back into a set-up role and proceeded to allow just 2 earned runs in his next 24 appearances from July 21-Sept. 14 (0.74 ERA)...did not allow a run during the entire month of August, covering 13 games, 13.0 innings...league hitters batted just .136 (6-for-44) vs. the lefty in August...jumped back into the closers role to save two more games, Sept. 19 vs. San Diego and Sept. 21 vs. San Diego...gave up one run in each of his final three outings which pushed his ERA from 2.51 to where it ended at 2.75.

2002

After bouncing back-and-forth between Triple A and the big leagues for much of the season, Fuentes got his fourth and final recall in late August, and emerged as Colorado's top left-handed reliever down the stretch ... in four stints with the Rockies, the southpaw was 2-0 with a 4.73 ERA (26.2 ip, 14 er) and no saves ... struckout 38 in his 26.2 ip of work, averaging 12.8 strikeouts per nine innings ... recorded 11 multi-strikeout games and posted a strikeout to walks ratio of almost exactly 3 to 1 (38:13) ... struggled a bit in his first three stints with the club but was perhaps the team's most consistent reliever after his final recall ... from Aug. 23 to Sept. 26, Fuentes yielded just 3 earned runs in 16.2 ip, a 1.62 ERA ... was unscored upon in 18 of his last 22 appearances, allowing 7 runs in 22.0 innings (2.86 ERA) ... that number is a bit misleading, though, as he gave up 4 of the 7 runs in his final two outings ... therefore, in 20 games from July 17 to Sept. 26, Fuentes saw only 3 opponents cross the plate in 20.0 innings (1.35 ERA) ... for the year, the left-handed specialist retired 20 of 31 first batters faced ... allowed only 5 of 16 inherited runners to score and all five came in bases-loaded situations ... pitched better at Coors Field, posting a 3.31 ERA (16.1 ip, 6 er) at home versus a 6.97 ERA on the road (10.1 ip, 8 er) ... limited righties to a .155 (9-for-58) average but lefties hit .381 (16- for-42) ... opened the season with AAA-Colorado Springs, appearing in 28 games before being recalled on May 29 ... after three games with the Rockies (2.0 ip, 2 h, 1 er), Brian was optioned to Colorado Springs on June 5 ... recalled just two days later on June 7 to replace an injured Kent Mercker ... saw action in four interleague games (2.0 ip, 2 h, 1 r, 1 er, 3 bb, 3 k) before again being optioned back to Triple Aon June 18 ... called-up for the third time on July 5 ... in his first game back, July 7 vs. San Diego, the lefty faced four batters, allowing 2 hits with 2 hit batsmen ... charged with 3 runs without recording an out ... then gave up 2 runs on 3 hits in .2 ip of his next outing, July 13 at San Francisco, letting five of seven Giants reach safely ... rebounded to work five straight scoreless appearances (3.1 ip) before being sent down July 30 ... recalled for a fourth and final time Aug. 23 and was stellar the rest of the year ... extended his scoreless streak to a career-best 11 appearances and 8.1 innings before finally allowing a run on Sept. 8 vs. San Diego ... after giving up one run on Sept. 14 vs. LA, the southpaw posted an 8.0 scoreless innings streak covering six appearances with 12 strikeouts ... recorded wins in back-to-back games, Sept. 21 and 22 vs. the Diamondbacks ... worked a season-high 2.0 ip in both victories, allowing 1 hit with no runs and no walks with 7 K's ... first Rockie to win two straight games since Justin Speier, Sept. 23-24, 2001 ... tied a club record by striking out five consecutive batters in that Sept. 21st game vs. Arizona ... sat down Williams, Finley, Grace, Miller and Jose ... it was the seventh time that a Rockies hurler has fanned five straight, last done by Speier over three outings, June 18-21, 2001 ... the 5 k's, a new career high for Fuentes and a 2002 season high by a Rockies reliever ... was touched for 3 runs and 2 homers in his final outing, Sept. 28 at Arizona ... for AAA-Colorado Springs, was 3-3 with a 3.70 ERA (48.2 ip, 20 er) and one save in 41 relief appearances.

2001

Left-hander spent second consecutive season at double-A New Haven...led Eastern League starters with 9.80 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched...was second in league with 152 strikeouts...also third in losses and fifth in walks...was 0-3, 8.44 in 4 April starts, before going 3-3, 2.56 in May (31.2 IP, 9 ER)...won 2-1 with a two-hitter Aug. 3 at Akron, his first career complete game...was 3-2, 2.39 in 7 starts after the end of July (49.0 IP, 13 ER)...left-handers hit just .218 (26x119)

2000

In 2000, remained at double-A New Haven for 2nd straight year...Led Eastern League starters with 9.80 strikeouts per 9.0 innings...Was 2nd in the league with 152 strikeouts...Ranked 3rd in losses (12) and 5th in walks (70)...Tossed a 2-hitter on August 3 at Akron, his lone career complete game...Was 3-2 with a 2.39 ERA in 7 starts after the end of July (49 IP - 13 ER)...Helped the Ravens win Eastern League title, going 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in a pair of postseason starts (11 IP, 8 H, 3 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 17 K).

1999

Spent all of 1999 at double-A level...recorded a season-high 10 strikeouts on April 21 at Trenton (6.0 IP)...won back-to-back starts, April 21 at Trenton (6.0,4,3,3,1,10) and April 27 at New Britain (6.0,4,2,0,2,5)...on disabled list June 5-Aug. 21...only relief appearance was first outing off the DL...tossed 2.0 innings in relief on Aug. 22 at Harrisburg...did not throw more than 2.0 innings in any of final four appearances...held right-handed hitters to a .239 average (37x155

1998

Began the 1998 season on the disabled list (April 2-20) with left shoulder tendinitisb&was 0-1, 17.18 in his first two gamesb&struck out 12 in a 3-1 win vs. High Desert May 16 (7.0 IP, 3 H)...improved to 2-1 with a 4-0 win vs. San Bernardino May 27 (5.2 IP, 3 H, 8 SO)...matched season (and career) high with 12 strikeouts vs. Visalia July 7 (6.2 IP); struck out the side in the third in the 9-4 win...retired the first nine batters he faced, five by strikeout, at Rancho Cucamonga Aug. 8; finished with 10 strikeouts in 7.2 IP...struck out 12 for the third time, matching his career-high, Aug. 19 vs. San Bernardino, fanning the side in the first and third...finished second in the Cal League in walks and third in strikeouts per nine innings pitched (10.56)...

1997

Spent 1997 season with Wisconsin...beat Quad City 1-0 on July 28, striking out 12 in 8.0 innings pitched; retired first 12 batters and had faced the minimum 20 batters before allowing a single with two outs in the seventh (8.0 IP, 1 H, 12 SO)...struck out 153 in 118.2 innings pitched...

1996

Began his pro career with Everett in 1996...struck out 26 in 26.1 innings pitched.