Ronald Thomas Villone...has 2 children with wife Brooke...graduated from South Bergenfield (NJ) High...was a 2-sport
star at the University of Massachusetts, playing both baseball and football...was the Atlantic 10 Left-handed Pitcher of
the Year in 1991...in 1992, was a 3rd-Team All-American in 1992 after posting the Division I's strikeout ratio (1.5 K/IP,
89 K in 59.1 IP)...on the gridiron, was a First-Team All-Yankee Conference tight end in 1990...pitched for Team USA in
the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona...Team USA finished 4th.
2009
Upon joining 12th big league club in 15 seasons, added production and experience to a Nationals bullpen in need
of both...posted 5 wins, one save, 7 holds and 4.25 ERA in 63 relief appearances...5 wins were most by a Nationals
reliever and tied for 2nd-most on club behind John Lannan (9)...led Washington pitchers in appearances...in initial
19 appearances, from May 7-June 9, went 3-0 and tossed 17.0 consecutive scoreless innings which was the longest
consecutive scoreless innings string posted by a Washington Nationals (2005-present) reliever...the last franchise
reliever to string together a longer streak of scoreless innings was the Expos' Luis Ayala (26.2 scoreless innings, June
18-August 4, 2004)...pitched on zero days rest 23 times and registered a 2.81 ERA in those contests...finished season
with 717 career appearances, 14th among active pitchers.
Game-By-Game Highlights: Had contract selected from Syracuse on May 7, flew cross country to Los Angeles, arrived
at the ballpark around first pitch and earned the win in dramatic 11-9 victory at LAD...spun 2.0 perfect innings,
May 17 vs. PHI...in next appearance, May 19 vs. PIT, worked 2.0 scoreless innings, fanning one...retired all 5 batters
faced and was rewarded with the win in 10-6 victory vs. SFG, June 2...picked up lone save on September 10 vs. PHI...
blanked PHI for 0.2 innings and stranded inherited runner to finish 8-7 win, earning 8th career save (first since July
30, 2008 at ATL).
In Minor Leagues: Pitched in 8 games with Triple-A Syracuse from April 20-May 7...posted 3 holds and a 2.35 ERA in
7.2 innings pitched...worked scoreless relief in 6 of 8 appearances and stranded all 4 inherited runners.
2008
Went 1-2 with one save and 16 holds in 74 relief appearances with STL...fanned 50 batters in 50.0 innings and held
left-handed opponents to .176 batting average against...picked up lone save of season (7th career) with 1.1 scoreless
innings, July 30 at ATL...the save was first since pitching for SEA, May 18, 2005 vs. NYY.
2007
Was 0-0 with a 4.25 ERA in 37 appearances with the Yankees in 2007.
Opponents batted .234 (36-for-154, 5 HR); LH .239 (16-for-69, 2 HR), RH .230 (20-for-87, 3 HR).
Retired 27-of-37 first batters faced (73%)...prevented 16-of-28 inherited runners from scoring (57%).
Made appearances in consecutive games six times...posted a 1.11 ERA in 17 games at Yankee Stadium (24.1 IP, 3 ER).
Recorded a 2.33 ERA on one or zero days rest (19 G, 19.1 IP, 5 ER)...when pitching on two or more days rest, had a 5.87
ERA (21 G, 23.0 IP, 15 ER).
Had his contract purchased from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on 5/15.
Made his 2007 debut in a 5/17 loss at CWS, tossing 2.0 scoreless innings (1H)...did not allow a run in first four appearances
with the Yankees (7.2 IP, 4 H).
Did not allow a run in four Interleague appearances (4.0 IP, 1H)
Made second appearance in as many games in 7/1 loss vs. OAK, tossing a season-high 3.1 scoreless innings in relief...was
his longest relief appearance since 5/14/04 (with SEA) at Yankee Stadium when he tossed 3.2 innings.
Surrendered just two earned runs over 17 games (18.0 IP) from 6/20-8/2, both coming on a Carlos Pena home run in a 7/15
win at TB...in eight appearances from 6/20-7/14, allowed just one hit and no runs over 10.1 IP (1 BB, 8 K).
Was placed on the 15-day D.L. on 8/24 (retroactive to 8/22) with a strained lower back (missed 14 team games).
Was reinstated from the 15-day D.L. on 9/6...was 0-0 with a 3.18 ERA in six games over the remainder of the season (5.2 IP,
1 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 0 K).
Began the year with Scranton/WB and was 0-1 with one save and a 1.90 ERA in 17 appearances prior to joining the
Yankees...in 23.2 IP, allowed 21 H and 10 BB with 27 K...allowed just one earned run in his last 10 appearances (17.0 IP)
and was leading all Scranton/WB relievers in strikeouts at the time of his promotion.
Appeared in nine Spring Training games for the Yankees in 2007, all in relief, going 2-0 with a 14.40 ERA in 5.0 IP (13 H, 10
R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 4 BB, 5 K).
2007 POSTSEASON: Pitched one-third of an inning in Game 4 of the Division Series vs. CLE, his only action in the series...retired
the only batter he faced, Travis Hafner, on a flyball to left.
2006
Appeared in 70 games as reliever with NYY...80.1 innings ranked 6th in the AL among relief pitchers...home run surrendered
to Adam LaRoche, June 27 vs. ATL, was first allowed to a left-handed batter since August 7, 2004 (TBR's
Aubrey Huff)...recorded win in three straight Yankee victories, June 28-July 2.
2005
Acquired from Seattle on July 31 for Minor League pitchers Yorman Bazardo and Michael Flannery. Made his first Marlins appearance on Aug. 1 at St. Louis, retiring all four batters he faced. Allowed just one run over 21 appearances from June 21-Aug. 2 while with Seattle and Florida. That was over a 17 2/3 innings span. Had a 16-game, 13 1/3 innings scoreless streak from June 21-July 25.
2004
Led club with eight wins.
Appeared in 56 games, making 10 starts and was 6-4, 2.95 in 46 relief appearances, 2-
2, 5.43 in 10 starts.
Held opposing hitters to a .232 mark, including limiting left-handers to a .203 mark
(29x143).
Was 5-1, 4.05 in 25 games (6 GS) in Safeco Field.
Made 2004 debut in relief April 6; was his first game with Mariners since June 30, 1995.
Won three straight decisions, all in relief, April 20-May 4, to run record to 3-0.
Made first start of season June 26 after making his first 28 appearances in relief.
In starting rotation July 19-Aug. 25, making eight consecutive starts, and posting a 2-2
mark.
Returned to relief role Aug. 29 and made next 12 appearances in relief.
Started, and won, Oct. 1 vs. Texas in final appearance of season.
Voted Mariners Most Valuable Pitcher by Seattle chapter of the BBWAA.
2003
Began season with ARI organization, but was released and signed with HOU on May 19...made 19 starts with HOU after
contract was selected by the Astros on June 17...hit first big-league home run off Danny Graves, August 15 at CIN.
2002
Pitching for PIT, began season in rotation, but shifted to bullpen after just 7 starts...took loss in first career Opening Day
assignment, April 1 at NYM...left elbow tendinitis rendered 2-week stay on the DL (August 14- September 1).
2001
Went 6-10 with a 5.89 ERA in 53 games (12 starts) with Colorado and Houston... Began season in the starting rotation with the Rockies... Went 0-1 with a 9.87 ERA (17.1ip/19er) in four starts thru the month of April and was moved to bullpen... Made 13 straight relief appearances from 5/1 thru 6/8 and went 0-1 with a 3.24 ERA (16.2ip/6er)... Made two spot starts when Denny Neagle went on the disabled list in June; picking up a victory on 6/15 at Cincinnati and suffering a loss on 6/20 at Houston... Returned to bullpen on 6/24 and made three appearances before being traded to the Astros on 6/27 in exchange for pitcher Jay Powell... Went 1-2 with an 8.23 ERA (27.1ip/25er) in six starts with Colorado and 0-1 with a 3.72 (19.1ip/8er) in 16 relief appearances... Made first 19 appearances with Houston from the bullpen... Was the winning pitcher three times in an eight-game span from 7/8-18... Tossed a career-high 5.0 innings of relief on 7/8 at Kansas City (starter Scott Elarton was ejected in the 1st inning)... Made first of six starts with the Astros on 8/26 at Pittsburgh and won a 3-1 decision (5.1ip/1er)... Went 0-3 in a four-start span from 9/8-26... Lost his last five decisions after winning for the last time on 8/26... Went 1-4 with a 5.70 ERA (30.0ip/19er) in six starts with the Astros and 4-3 with a 5.45 ERA (38.0ip/23er) in 25 relief appearances... Went 1-for-22 (.045) as a batter with the two clubs... His lone hit was a double off Chicago's Juan Cruz on 9/21.
Notes: (thru 2001)
CAREER TRANSACTIONS: Selected by Seattle in 1992 June free agent draft (1st round - 14th pick overall)...Acquired by San Diego from Seattle, 7/31/95, along with outfielder Marc Newfield in deal for pitcher Andy Benes and a player to be named (pitcher Greg Keagle)...Acquired by Milwaukee from San Diego, 7/31/96, along with outfielder Marc Newfield and pitcher Bryce Florie in deal for outfielder Greg Vaughn and a player to be named (OF Gerald Parent)...Acquired by Cleveland from Milwaukee, 12/8/97, along with pitchers Ben McDonald and Mike Fetters in deal for outfielder Marquis Grissom and pitcher Jeff Juden...Released by Cleveland on 3/31/98... Signed by Cincinnati as a minor league free aegent on 4/6/99...Acquired by Colorado from Cincinnati, 11/8/00, in deal for two players to be named (pitchers Justin Carter and Jeff Taglienti on 12/20/00)...Acquired by Houston from Colorado, 6/27/01, in deal for pitcher Jay Powell...Granted free agency on 11/5/01... Signed by Pittsburgh as a minor league free agent on 2/12/02.
M.L. SERVICE: 6 years, 8 days
CONTRACT STATUS: Signed through 2002
LOW-HIT GAME: TWO-HITTER, 9/29/00 at St. Louis.
MOST STRIKEOUTS/GAME: Starter: 16 K's, 9/29/00 at St. Louis... Reliever: 7 K's (twice), 5/28/99 at Florida & 6/12/95 vs. Kansas City.
MOST INNINGS PITCHED: Starter: 9.0 IP (twice), 9/29/00 at St. Louis & 8/28/00 at Atlanta... Reliever: 5.0 IP, 7/8/01 at Kansas City.
LONGEST WINNING STREAK: 4 games (5/5 to 5/20/00).
LONGEST LOSING STREAK: 5 games (9/8 to 10/6/01).
His six-year minor league totals include a 23-18 record, 32 saves and a 3.33 ERA (319.1ip/118er) in 154 games (32 starts).
Earned last big-league save on 10/3/99.
Has gone 11-for-110 (.100) with two doubles and four RBI as a batter in the majors.
Has gone 20-22 with a 5.48 ERA (309.0ip/188er) in 57 career starts in the big leagues and 9-9 with a 4.24 ERA (257.0ip/121er) in 217 relief appearances.
2000
Spent entire season with Cincinnati... Set career highs in starts, wins and complete games... Went 10-9 with a 5.54 ERA (126.2ip/78er) as a starter and 0-1 with a 4.40 ERA (14.1ip/7er) in relief... Led team in walks and tied for team lead in hit batsmen... Won first two starts of season on 4/6 vs. Milwaukee and 4/11at Colorado... Surrendered a home run (12 total) in nine of 10 games from 4/18 thru 5/15... Won four consecutive starts (career-high) in May from 5/5-20... Finished the month 4-0 with a 2.51 ERA (32.1ip/9er) in five starts... Followed four-game winning streak with a 1-4 record in June, posting a 10.36 ERA (28.2ip/33er)... Lasted just 0.2 innings (5h/6r/1er) in shortest start of season on 7/4 at St. Louis... Made first relief apperance (1.2ip/1h/0r) on 7/16 at Detroit... Started in place of injured Larry Luebbers on 7/22 vs. Arizona and earned the win (6.0ip/2er)... Suffered first loss in relief on 7/25 vs. Houston (1.1ip/4h/3r)... Did not earn a decision in nine straight appearances in August... Tossed 0.1 innings in combined shutout on 8/12 at Chicago (NL) and 2.0 innings of shutout relief on 8/25 at Florida... Outdueled Greg Maddux while tossing first career complete game on 8/28 at Atlanta (5h/3er)... Lost three consecutive starts from 9/2-14... Struck out a career-high 16 batters in a complete game victory on 9/29 at St. Louis (2h/1r/0er) and established a Cincinnati franchise record for a lefthander in the process (also had career-high three hits in game)... Reds went 13-10 in his 23 starts.
1999
Attended camp with Cleveland but was released during Spring Training..Signed a minor legue contract with Cincinnati on 4/5 and began season with Indinaapolis (Reds' AAA)..Went 2-0 with one save and a 1.42 ERA in 18 appearances with Indianapolis before having contract purchased by Cincinnati on 5/14... Ranked sixth in league with a 2.99 road ERA... Posted the 10th-best mark in the majors in batting average against righthanders (.212)... Worked out of bullpen with Cincinnati in first five games before making next 22 appearances as a starter... Earned save in Reds' 24-12 win at Colorado on 5/19 (his first save since 9/21/96 vs. Detroit)... Tossed 4.0 innings of hitless ball on 5/31 at New York (NL), his first win since 9/2/97... Started first major league game on 6/8 at Minnesota (4.2ip/3er)... Lasted 0.1 innings (3h/6r) in shortest career outing on 6/19 vs. Milwaukee... Started in three combined one-hit shutouts on 6/24 at Houston, 6/30 vs. Arizona and 7/21 vs. St. Louis... Made final two appearances in relief... Picked off six baserunners... Tied for league lead among pitchers with six errors... Reds were 13-9 in his 22 starts.
1998
Split season between Cleveland and Buffalo (Indians' AAA)... Spent first month of season before being recalled on 5/2... Went 0-0 with a 1.88 ERA in 15 games wtih Cleveland before being optioned back to Buffalo on 6/27... Was recalled again on 7/23... Allowed six earned runs in 0.1 innings on 7/31 at Oakland... Posted a 14.14 ERA in seven appearances (7/25 - 8/14) before being placed on disabled list on 8/15 with a strained right oblique muscle... Was activated from the disabled list on 9/1 but appeared in three games during remainder of season.
1997
Spent entire season with Milwaukee... Did not earn a decision in his first 44 appearances... Posted a 6.14 ERA in eight appearances during April... Surrendered two home runs in 0.1 innings of work on 4/25 vs. Cleveland... Did not allow a run in seven straight appearances from 4/30 thru 5/17 (8.1ip)... Whiffed a season-high six batters on 8/19 at Texas... Earned lone win after tossing 3.0 innings of scoreless relief on 9/2 at Houston.
1996
Split season between San Diego and Milwaukee organizations... Began season with Las Vegas (Padres' AAA)... Made first appearance with San Diego on 6/4 vs. St. Louis and tossed 2.0 innings of scoreless relief... Did not earn a decision in first 18 appearances... Was unscored upon in first 13 appearances (13.1ip) from 6/4 thru 7/5... Allowed two runs (0.1ip/2h) in first loss on 7/24 at Houston... Earned win in next outing after tossing 2.0 scoreless innings on 7/27 at Florida... Acquired by Milwaukee on 7/31 in exchange for outfielders Greg Vaughn and Gerald Parent... Earned first save with Milwaukee on 8/16 vs. White Sox (game one), entering the game with the bases loaded and out before inducing a double play to preserve the win.
1995
Split season between Seattle and San Diego organizations... Made major league debut on 4/28 vs. Detroit and did not allow a hit in 1.0 inning of work... 0ptioned to Tacoma on 5/15 and recalled on 5/30... Tied a career-high in strikeouts as a reliever with seven on 6/12 vs. Kansas City... Optioned to Tacoma on 7/1... Acquired by San Diego along with outfielder Marc Newfield in exchange for right-handed pitcher Andy Benes and a player to be named (pitcher Greg Keagle)... Tossed 2.0 innings of scoreless relief on 8/2 vs. San Francisco for first major league victory... Earned first major league save on 8/26 at New York (NL).
1994...
Spent entire season with Jacksonville (Mariners' AA)... Began season in starting rotation before being placed on 15-day disabled list on 4/19 with a sprained left ankle... Went 0-4 with a 6.46 ERA in five starts before being moved to bullpen... Went 3-1 with a 1.16 ERA and eight saves in final 27 appearances... Led Southern League relievers in strikeouts per 9.0 innings (11.80) and was second in opponents batting average against (.173).
1993...
Began professional career with Riverside (Mariners' A) after being selected by Seattle in the first round (14th overall) in the 1992 June draft... Was promoted to Jacksonville on 7/7... Took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and earned the victory on 7/8 vs. Orlando.
1994
Spent entire season with Jacksonville (Mariners' AA)... Began season in starting rotation before being placed on 15-day disabled list on 4/19 with a sprained left ankle... Went 0-4 with a 6.46 ERA in five starts before being moved to bullpen... Went 3-1 with a 1.16 ERA and eight saves in final 27 appearances... Led Southern League relievers in strikeouts per 9.0 innings (11.80) and was second in opponents batting average against (.173).
1993
Began professional career with Riverside (Mariners' A) after being selected by Seattle in the first round (14th overall) in the 1992 June draft... Was promoted to Jacksonville on 7/7... Took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and earned the victory on 7/8 vs. Orlando.
