The International League announced today that Buffalo outfielder Jesus Feliciano and Louisville pitcher Sam LeCure have been named the League’s Batter and Pitcher of the Week for the period from May 17-23. Feliciano is the second Bisons player to earn the IL Batter of the Week Award in 2010, following Mike Hessman (April 26-May 2). LeCure joins fellow Bats Juan Francisco (May 3-9) and Luis Terrero (May 10-16) to make Louisville the first club to earn IL Player of the Week honors in three consecutive weeks since Toledo in 2008 (Chris Lambert July 7-13, Brent Clevlen July 14-20, and Eddie Bonine July 21-27).

Right-hander Sam LeCure was phenomenal in two starts this week, winning both outings without surrendering a run. In a League-best 16.0 innings, LeCure allowed just nine hits and recorded his first career complete game shutout along the way. His week started last Monday in Rochester, where he beat the Red Wings by scattering eight hits over 7.0 frames. He also struck out eight, his secondhighest total of the season. That impressive outing would be overshadowed by his next start on Saturday night against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. LeCure took a no-hit bid late into the game against the Yankees, finally surrendering a single to Chad Huffman with one out in the 8th. His complete game shutout of Scranton/WB was the first for Louisville since Matt Maloney did it nearly one year ago on June 1. It was the franchise’s first one-hit shutout by an individual pitcher since Lee Tunnell no-hit Maine on June 21, 1988. For the season, LeCure is now 2nd in the IL with 60.0 innings pitched, and 8th with a 2.55 ERA.

26-year-old Sam LeCure is in his 6th season as a professional pitcher, all coming within the Cincinnati organization after the Reds selected him in the 4th round of the 2005 draft. LAst year, his first at the Triple-A level, he led the Bats in wins (10), innings pitched (143.1), and strikeouts (125). LeCure is a native of Jefferson City, Missouri.