Richard Joseph Hill... Wife’s name is Caitlin…His first son, Brice, was born in 2011…His second son, Brooks, was born in 2013 but passed away as an infant due to a rare set of brain disorders and kidney failure... He and his wife Caitlin donated $575,000 in their late son’s name for a new campaign called Field of Genes to help prevent tragedies like the one that happened to Brooks... Played baseball at the University of Michigan from 2000-02…Tossed eight complete games, including two shutouts, as a junior in 2002... Is a 1999 graduate of Milton (MA) High School, where he is one of three former Milton High School players to play in the majors, joining Elbie Fletcher (1934-50) and Chris Mahoney (1910).
2022
Finished second on Boston’s staff in starts and strikeouts and third in innings pitched in his 18th season in the big leagues…Became the 15th player to appear for the Red Sox at age 42 or older and just the third Red Sox pitcher to make at least 20 starts at age 42 or older (also David Wells in 2005 and Tim Wakefield in 2009, 2010 and 2011)…Made at least 20 starts for the sixth time in his career and at least 25 for the fourth time…Became the first Massachusetts-born Red Sox pitcher to appear at Fenway on Patriots Day after doing so on 4/18 vs. Minnesota…Made three consecutive scoreless starts from 4/24 to 5/5, beginning with his 4.0 inning outing on 4/24 at Tampa Bay...Retired 15 of his first 17 batters faced over 5.0 innings on 5/5 vs. Los Angeles (AL) in the 200th start of his big league career…Missed 26 games after being on the 15-day injured list due to a left knee sprain from 7/2-30…Allowed one run in 3.0 innings in his rehab start with Double-A Portland on 7/30…Struck out 11 batters over 7.0 scoreless innings on 8/27 vs. Tampa Bay, his 19th career start with 10-plus strikeouts and fifth with 11-plus punchouts…Tossed 5.0 scoreless innings in a 1-0 win on 9/11 at Baltimore in his fifth scoreless start of the year…Struck out nine batters over 6.0 scoreless innings to earn the win on 9/28 vs. Baltimore while throwing a season-high 100 pitches… Surrendered one earned run over 6.0 innings in his final start on 10/3 vs. Tampa Bay.
2021
Went 7-8 with a 3.86 ERA (68 ER/158.2 IP) in 32 appearances (31 starts) between TB and NYM...His 31 starts and 158.2 IP were each the second-most of his career, while his 32 appearances tied for his second-most...Was one of 55 pitchers to throw 150.0+ innings, and one of 35 with 150.0+ IP and a sub-4.00 ERA...Tossed 5.0+ innings in 22 of his starts and 6.0+ innings in nine...Became the 22nd pitcher in MLB history to make at least 30 starts in a season at age 41 or older (see table above)...Began the season with TB after signing with the club as a free agent in February...Posted a 3.87 ERA (41 ER/95.1 IP) in 19 starts for the Rays...Posted scoreless streaks of 20.2 IP (4/26-5/20) and 16.0 IP (5/25-6/12) with TB...Both of his double-digit strikeout efforts in 2021 came with TB...Recorded 10 SO on 4/26 vs. OAK (6.0 IP) and a career-high 13 SO on 5/25 vs. KC (8.0 IP)...Named AL Pitcher of the Month for May after going 3-1 with a 0.78 ERA (3 ER/34.2 IP) in six starts...Became the 4th pitcher since 1947 to lead his league in ERA in a month at age 41 or older (min. 25.0 IP; source: STATS)...Hill joined Roger Clemens (May 2005 with HOU), Nolan Ryan (June 1991 and September 1992 with TEX), Hoyt Wilhelm (August 1965 with CWS), and Satchel Paige (August 1948 with CLE)...Acquired by the Mets on 7/23 in exchange for RHP Tommy Hunter and minor league C Matt Dyer...Posted a 3.84 ERA (27 ER/63.1 IP) over 13 games (12 starts) for NYM...Allowed three runs or fewer in 12 outings with the club, including each of his last 11.
2020
Opened the season in the Twins starting rotation as a result of the delayed season from the COVID-19 pandemic…entered spring training recovering from left elbow surgery that repaired a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament...Allowed 2 runs (or fewer) in seven of eight starts, including his last six…pitched to a 2.38 ERA (22.2-IP, 6-ER) in his final 4 starts... Missed time from July 31–Aug 18 while on the 10-day IL for left shoulder inflammation... Started the Twins fifth game of the season, pitching five scoreless innings and recording the win on July 29 vs. STL…at 40 years, 140 days, became the oldest lefty to start and win a game for the Twins since Terry Mulholland (41.187) in 2004...Became the second 40-year-old in club history to allow 2 hits (or fewer) in a start of at least five shutout innings…joined Johnny Niggeling (40.074), who did so for the Washington Senators on Sep 22, 1943, vs. STL-AL (G1).
2019
Began fourth season with Los Angeles-NL but missed spring training and almost entire April with left knee injury....Spent two stints on the Injured List: March 25-April 28 (left knee sprain) and June 20-September 12 (left forearm strain)....Struck out 10 batters May 17 at Cincinnati (6.0 IP), the 16th time in career with double-digit strikeout totals....Surpassed 900.0 career innings pitched May 22 at Tampa Bay....Held left-handed batters to a .192 average with two extra-base hits and right-handers to a .233 average with 15 extra-base hits....Signed one-year contract with Minnesota December 31.
2018
Went 11-5 with a 3.66 ERA (54 ER /132.2 IP) in 24 starts, holding batters to a .219 average and posting a 1.12 WHIP…led the team with 11 wins ... Among pitchers with 125.0 or more innings, ranked among the NL's best in opponents' batting average (10th), WHIP (1.12) and strikeouts per 9.0 innings (10.18, 9th) ... After returning from the DL on June 19, he went 10-3 with a 3.08 ERA (37 ER /108.0 IP) in his final 19 games (18 starts), while holding batters to a .198 average and posting a 0.98 WHIP… struck out 125 batters against 28 walks…won his final five starts of the season ... Appeared in four games (three starts) during the Dodgers' run to the World Series without factoring in a decision, allowing only four runs in 15.2 innings (2.16 ERA) while holding batters to a .148/.303/.167 slash line.
2017
In his first full season with the Dodgers, he posted a 12-8 record with a 3.32 ERA (50 ER/135.2 IP) and posted a 1.09 WHIP...struck out 166 batters against just 49 walks, posting a 11.01 strikeout per nine innings and a 3.39 strikeout-to-walk ratio...Held opposing batters to a .203 average, including a .190 mark against right-handed hitters, which ranked sixth lowest in the Majors...Limited batters to a .186 average with runners in scoring position, which ranked 11th in the big leagues (min. 100 BFP)...also his .114 opponents' batting average with runners in scoring position with two outs ranked sixth in the National League...In 14 starts at home, went 7-5 with a 2.7 7 ERA (24 ER/78.0 IP) and limited the opposition to a .179 average...struck out 93 batters against 33 walks, while posting a 1.05 WHIP...his opponents' batting average at home ranked third in the Majors (min. 10 GS), while his .568 opponents' OPS ranked sixth and ERA ranked 14th...Following the All-Star break, he went 7-4 with a 3.01 ERA (25 ER/74.2 IP) in 13 starts and limited the opposition to a .196 average, while striking out 96 batters against 20 walks...during that span he ranked among National league starters in wins (T-5th), ERA (10th), opponents' batting average (5th), WHIP (0.98, 4th), strikeout per nine (11.57, 4th), strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.80, 5th), strikeouts (96, 6th), opponents' on-base percentage (.259, 2nd) and opponents' OPS (.624, 7th)...On Aug. 23 at Pittsburgh, he took a bid for a perfect game into the ninth inning, and after completing 9.0 hitless frames he surrendered a home run in the 10th...according to the Elias Sports Bureau, this marked the first time in Major League history that a walk-off home run broke up a no-hitter...Elias also notes that Hill became the first pitcher to lose a no-hit bid in the 10th inning or later since the Expos' Pedro Martinez took his bid for a perfect game into the 10th inning on June 3, 1995 vs. the Padres before being pulled after a leadoff double...Named NL Pitcher of the Month for July, after going 4-0 with a 1.45 ERA (5 ER/31.0 IP) in five starts...struck out 40 against just five walks, while holding hitters to a .17 1 average and 0.7 7 WHIP...Made two stints on the disabled list with a blister on his left middle finger, the first coming on April 7-16 and the other on April 17-May 16...returning from his final stint on the DL on May 17, he ranked among the big leagues best among starters (min. 100 IP) in opponents' batting avg. (.194, 5th), opponents' OPS (.616, 7th), strikeouts per nine (11.23, 7th), WHIP (1.06, 8th) and opponents' OBP (.278, 10th)...Did not factor in the decision each of his four starts during the Postseason, while posting a 2.55 ERA (5 ER/17.2 IP) and holding hitters to a .203 average...struck out 24 against just eight walks in 17.2 innings...the club went 3-1 in his starts.
2016
Made 20 combined starts with the Athletics and the Dodgers, going 12-5 with a 2.12 ERA and held the opposition to a .195/.269/.261 slashline…struck out 129 against 33 walks in 149.0 innings...Ranked among the Majors' best (min. 100.0 IP) in ERA (2nd), opponents' batting average (3rd) and WHIP (1.00, 5th) despite two stints on the disabled list...Posted a career-best nine-game winning streak from May 7-Sept. 10, going 9-0 with a 1.43 ERA (10 ER/63.0 IP) in 11 starts and struck out 69 batters against just 17 walks…did not allow a home run during the run and held batters to a .158/.228/.190 slashline...Held batters to a .223 average with runners on base and limited hitters to a .233 mark (17-for-73) with runners in scoring position...Opened the season with Oakland, going 9-3 with a 2.25 ERA and posting a 1.09 WHIP in 14 starts…struck out 90 batters against just 28 walks in 76.0 innings and limited hitters to a .201/.293/.266 slashline...Prior to the trade, he led the American League (min. 75.0 IP) in ERA and home runs allowed per 9.0 innings (0.24, 2 HR/76.0IP), while ranking among the league's best in opponents' average (2nd), WHIP (9th) and strikeouts per 9.0 innings (10.66, 90 SO/76.0 IP)• Finished May with a 5-1 record with a 2.13 ERA and a .178 opponents' batting average in six starts to earn AL Pitcher of the Month honors…it was his first career Pitcher of the Month award and it was the first time he won more than three games in a month in his career...Acquired by the Dodgers on Aug. 1 along with outfielder Josh Reddick in exchange for right-handed pitchers Jharel Cotton, Grant Holmes and Frankie Montas...Made six starts with the Dodgers, going 3-2 with a 1.83 ERA (7 ER/34.1 IP) and posting a 0.79 WHIP…struck out 39 batters against just seven walks, while limiting the opposition to a .182/.213/.248 slashline...Tossed 7.0 perfect innings with nine strikeouts on Sept. 10 at Miami and left the game after 89 pitches, the longest perfect game stint for a pitcher who did not get a chance to finish it off in modern MLB history. Went 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA (5 ER/13.0 IP) in three postseason starts and struck out 19 against just six walks in 13.0 innings…made starts in Games 2 and 5 of the NLDS vs. the Nationals, going 0-1 with a 6.43 ERA (5 ER/7.0 IP)…picked up his first career postseason win against the Cubs in Game 3 of the NLCS, allowing just two hits and striking out six in 6.0 scoreless innings• Placed on the 15-day disabled list from May 30-July 2 with a strained left groin…returned to the disabled list from July 20-Aug. 24 with a left middle finger blister.
2015
Began the season at Triple-A Syracuse in the Washington organization and finished it by going 2-1 with a 1.55 ERA in four September starts with Boston…the starts were his first as a major leaguer since making 13 with Baltimore in 2009…struck out 36 batters in 29.0 innings (11.17 per nine innings) and walked just five for a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 7.20…has 96 strikeouts in 73.0 innings over the last three years (11.84 per nine innings)…allowed a .141 batting average, including .138 (11-for-80) with both of his home runs against right-handed hitters compared to .158 (3-for-19) against left-handers…yielded a .154 average with runners in scoring position…had a .242 opponents average the first time through the lineup, .091 after that…was selected by Boston Sept. 8 and made his first start Sept. 13 at Tampa Bay… tossed 7.0 shutout innings and allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out 10, but had a no decision in a 2-0 Red Sox win…it was his first start since July 27, 2009 against Kansas City…joined Hideo Nomo (no-hitter, April 4, 2001) as the only pitchers in the last 100 years with 10 or more strikeouts and one hit or fewer in their first career start as a Red Sox…picked up his first win in his second start Sept. 20 at Toronto…struck out 10 in 7.0 innings again and allowed three runs in a 4-3 decision…then tossed the Red Sox only complete game shutout of the season, a two-hitter in a 7-0 win over Baltimore Sept. 25 in his only start at Fenway…walked one and struck out 10…it was his third career complete game, his first since Sept. 22, 2006 at Cincinnati…it was his second career shutout (Sept. 16, 2006 against Cincinnati)…it came in his 200th career appearance…became the first pitcher to strikeout 10 or more batters in each of his first three starts with any American League team…according to the Elias Sports Bureau, he is the only pitcher since 1900 to make his season debut in September or later and record 10 or more strikeouts in each of his first three starts…is the fifth pitcher in Red Sox history to reach double-digits in strikeouts in at least three straight games…took the loss in his final start Oct. 1 at New York (AL)… tossed 6.0 innings to bring his career total to 500.0.
2014
Pitched for three different organizations, including stints in the majors with the Angels and Yankees…was signed by Boston to a minor league contract Feb. 8 and was traded to Los Angeles (AL) July 1…allowed a run on one hit and three walks in two appearances without recording an out and was released July 9…signed a minor league deal with New York (AL) July 16 and made four appearances with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before joining the Yankees Aug. 5…logged a 1.69 ERA in 14 appearances with New York and combined for a 3.38 ERA in 16 appearances overall…tossed just 5.1 innings and never more than 0.2 in an outing…faced just one batter eight times…nine of his 16 outs were recorded by strikeout…allowed just 1-of-16 (6.3%) inherited runners to score but first batters faced hit .308 with a .438 on-base percentage…opponents hit .318 overall, including .250 by left-handed hitters and .500 by right-handers…did not allow a run in 11 games (4.2 ip) at Yankee Stadium…started the year at Triple-A Pawtucket and went 3-3 with two saves and a 3.23 ERA in 25 appearances…struck out 45 in 39.0 innings and did not allow a home run…held the opposition to a .206 batting average, including .196 against lefties…did not allow a run in 10 games on the road (18.0 ip)…tossed at least one inning in 24 of his 25 appearances, including a season-high 3.0 June 4 at Durham…struck out a season-high five batters May 23 at Syracuse…had a 3.62 ERA at the end of May…then started June with a 10.0 inning scoreless streak…recorded the save in his final outing with Pawtucket June 28 against Durham…was traded to Los Angeles (AL) July 1 for cash and made both of his appearances with the Angels that day in a doubleheader at Chicago (AL)…was designated for assignment July 5 and released July 9…was assigned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after signing with the Yankees and did not allow a run in four relief appearances (4.0 ip)…pitched one inning and struck out at least two batters in each outing for a total of 10 strikeouts in 4.0 innings…was on the disabled list July 26 to Aug. 1 with an inflamed left shoulder… was reinstated Aug. 2, pitched against Syracuse that day, and was promoted to New York Aug. 5…did not allow a run in six August appearances (2.1 ip)…was designated for assignment Aug. 29, outrighted to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Aug. 31 and selected by New York Sept. 2…did not allow a run in his first five appearances following his return for a 4.2-inning scoreless streak overall.
2013
Set career highs in the majors as a reliever in appearances (63), innings (38.2), and SO (51)...No runs allowed in 46 of 63 appearances and no ER in 48 of the 63 games...Finished with 13 holds, 2nd most on the team...Averaged 11.9 SO/9.0 IP (51 SO/38.2 IP)...Held lefties to a .238 AVG (20-for-84) with 2 HR...Had a 3.09 ERA (4 ER/11.2 IP) and held opponents to a .195 AVG (8-for-41) over his first 16 games of the season compared to a 7.67 ERA (23 ER/27.0 IP) with a .280 AVG (30-for-107) in his last 47 games...Stranded 51 of his AL-high 63 inherited runners…His inherited runners scored rate of 19.0% was 8th lowest in the AL...Snapped a streak of 51 consecutive games (40.2 IP) without allowing a HR when Andy Dirks hit one on 5/11 at DET…Was his 1st HR allowed in his ML career as a reliever and his 1st allowed overall since 7/21/09 vs. NYY.
2012
Began the season on the 15-day DL while recovering from Tommy John surgery performed on 6/9/11...Combined for a 2.00 ERA (2 ER/9.0 IP) with 2 BB, 18 SO in 8 rehab games for Single-A Greenville (2 G), High-A Salem (3 G)and Triple-A Pawtucket (3 G) before being activated from the DL on 4/27...On 4/29 at CWS, made his 1st ML appearance since 6/1/11, and allowed 1 run in 0.2 IP...Was his 1st run allowed with Boston, snapping a record 15-game scoreless stretch to begin a Red Sox career (12.0 IP)...Posted a 9-game scoreless stretch from 5/1-19 (7.2 IP) and a career-high 8-game hitless streak from 5/4-19 (6.0 IP), tying the longest all-time hitless games stretch for a Red Sox pitcher, last by Hideki Okajima from 9/17/08-4/7/09...Allowed just 3 base runners during that 8-game stretch, all walks...Earned the win with a scoreless 9th on 5/26 vs. TB, his 1st victory since 9/14/10 at SEA...Allowed 2 runs on 5/31 vs. DET, the only time he's allowed multiple runs since joining the Sox in 2010...Landed back on the 15-day DL on 6/10 (retro to 6/9) with a left elbow strain and transferred to the 60-day DL on 7/6...In 8 rehab appearances between the Rookie-level GCL Red Sox (2 G), Double-A Portland (1 G) and Pawtucket (5 G), went 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA (2 ER/7.1 IP) and 9 SO...Was activated on 9/1...Was not charged with a run in 6.0 innings over 8 appearances after coming off the DL on 9/1...Did not allow a run in a season-high 10 straight games overall to end the season dating back to 6/3, throwing 8.0 frames with 12 SO in that stretch...22 of his 25 ML appearances were scoreless, 16 were hitless, and 9 were perfect...Allowed just 1 run in 13 games against the AL East (10.1 IP) for a 0.87 ERA, and also recorded 12 SO in those contests...14 of 15 outings at Fenway were scoreless...Posted a 1.38 ERA (2 ER/13.0 IP) at home...Held lefties to a .205 AVG (8-for-39) while right-handers hit .273 (9-for-33) off him...Recorded 6 holds, a career single-season high (prev. 3 in 2011).
2011
Limited to nine games with the Red Sox due to season-ending Tommy John Surgery. Was placed on the 15-day disabled list on 6/3 (retroactive to 6/2) and underwent successful surgery on 6/9 to reconstruct a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left arm, performed by Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola, FL. ... Was transferred to the 60-day DL on 6/27. Selected to active ML roster from Triple-A Pawtucket on 5/5. ... Did not allow a run in 9 outings spanning 8.0 innings out of the bullpen for Boston. ... Retired 24 of 31 batters faced with at least 1 K in eight of the nine games (12 total). Held opponents to a .115 AVG (3-for-26), including .071 vs. lefties (1-for-14)...Began the year with Triple-A Pawtucket...Went 1-0 with one save and a 1.13 ERA (2 ER/16.0 IP) over 10 relief appearances with the PawSox, surrendering earned runs in only one game. With Pawtucket, had 18 K's and held opponents to a .143 clip (8-for-56), including .100 (2-for-20) vs. lefties.
2010
Split the season between the St. Louis and Boston organizations, including 6 relief outings for the Red Sox in September...Signed with Boston as a minor league free agent on 6/30 and selected to the Major League roster on 9/13, tossing 4.0 scoreless innings over 6 relief outings...Became the 93rd Massachusetts-born player to appear in a game for the Red Sox...Held left-handed hitters to a .125 batting average (1-for-8)...Earned the win in his Red Sox debut at SEA on 9/14, retiring the only batter he faced to end the 7th inning...Became the 1st pitcher to win his Boston debut in relief since Anastacio Martinez on 5/22/04 vs. TOR...Assigned to Triple-A Pawtucket after signing minor league deal with the Red Sox and went 3-1 while pacing the PawSox with a 3.74 ERA (22 ER/53.0 IP) in 19 games (6 starts) beginning with his 7/1 debut...Combined to go 7-4 with a 4.00 ERA (44 ER/99.0 IP) and 102 strikeouts in 42 combined Triple-A appearances (10 starts) between the Triple-A Cardinals Memphis affiliate and Pawtucket.
2009
Was on the disabled list twice: 3/29-5/16 with a strained left elbow and 7/29 until the end of the season with left shoulder inflammation. He drew starting assignment in 13 of his 14 appearances with Baltimore...Earned the win in his first start, 5/16 at KC. Set season-highs with 7.0 IP and seven strikeouts on 6/1 at SEA earning his second win...The Orioles went 7-2 in his first nine starts but ended the season 1-3 in his final four starts.
2008
Broke camp with the big league club, but made just five starts before he was optioned to the minors...A muscle strain in his back and a left calf strain limited him to just 18 starts between the majors and minors...Was 1-0 with a 4.12 ERA(19.2IP, 9ER) in five starts with the Cubs limiting the opponent to a .191 batting average (13-68)...Walked 18 while striking out 15...Recorded his lone big league victory in a 3-2 win vs. Pittsburgh April 18...Allowed one run on three hits and three walks while striking out four in 5.0 innings... Optioned to Triple-AIowa May 3 but landed on the seven-day disabled list with a right back strain May 17...Reinstated May 30, but a left calf strain landed him back on the shelf, June 22-July 16...Transferred to Class-ADaytona July 16, but again landed on the seven-day disabled list with a muscle strain in his back, August 4...Was recalled and placed on the 15-day disabled list August 31...Was 2-4 with a 5.88 ERA(26.0IP, 17ER) in seven starts with Iowa...Made three rehab starts for Rookie-League Mesa, July 1-12...Went 1-1 with a 2.89 ERA(9.1IP, 3ER) and 11 strikeouts...Went 1-2 with an 8.03 ERA(12.1IP, 11ER) and 14 strikeouts in three starts for Class-ADaytona from July 18-30...Pitched for Tigres de Aragua in the Venezuelan Winter League, appearing in eight games (six starts)...Was 1-2 with a 6.97 ERA.
2007
Spent his first full season with the Cubs, going 11-8 in 32 starts...limited opponents to a .235 batting average, ranking fifth in the N.L....produced 17 quality starts...received just 3.4 runs of support, the second-lowest mark in the majors...spun a gem in his first start of the season 4/6 at MIL, allowing just one run on one hit (C.Hart HR) with no walks and six K's in 7.0 IP...became first Cubs left-handed starter to toss at least 7.0 innings and allow only one hit in more than 30 years (when data began being tracked in mid-'70s)...tossed 8.0 shutout innings 4/19 in ATL... according to Elias, he became the first Chicago Cub to win his first three starts with an ERA as low as 0.41 since 1918, when Phil Douglas won his first three starts with a 0.33 ERA.
2007 POSTSEASON: Tagged with the loss in Game 3 of the NLDS vs. Arizona, worked 3.0 innings and allowed three runs on six hits.
2006
Hill learned a lot in his rookie season, going 5-7 with a 4.25 ERA in 16 starts. He finished 3-1 with a 1.93 ERA in September, and posted three double-digit strikeout games. Hill had back-to-back complete games, Sept. 16 and Sept. 22, although the second game was a rain-shortened five-inning start against Cincinnati.
2005
Rich made his first career big league start July 25 against San Francisco ... did not factor into the decision of the 3-2 Cub victory ... made his major league debut June 15 against Florida - gave up 2 runs in 1.0 inning of work ... went 0-2 with a 9.13 ERA in three stints with the big league club ... pitched 4.1 scoreless innings of relief on June 22 in Milwaukee ... walked two batters and struck out six in the 9-4 Cub loss ... the 4.1 inning-stint was the longest by a Cub reliever all season ... hit an infield single off Doug Davis for his first career hit ... ranked third among all minor leaguers in strikeouts - fanning 194 batters in 22 games for Iowa (AAA), West Tenn (AA) and Peoria (A) ... also led all minor league pitchers with 13.4 strikeouts per 9.0 innings ... opened the year at West Tenn, going 4-3 with a 3.28 ERA in 10 starts ... struck out 90 batters in 57.2 innings of work ... appeared in one game for Peoria (A) ... picked up the win on July 8, pitching 8.0 innings and striking out 12 ... was 6-1 in 11 games (10 starts) for Iowa ... posted a 3.60 ERA with 92 strikeouts ... was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week for the week of August 15-21 ... allowed 4 runs (3 earned) in two games during the week - gave up just 2 walks and struck out 21 batters in 13.1 innings of work ... recorded his first career complete game in a 7.0-inning win at New Orleans on August 25 ... named the 14th-best prospect in the Pacific Coast League and the 5th-best prospect in the Cubs minor league system following the 2005 season by Baseball America.
2004
Rich went 7-6 with a 4.03 ERA in 28 games (19 starts) for Daytona (A) ... led the team in strikeouts, fanning 136 batters in 109.1 innings of work ... struck out a season-high 10 batters in back-to-back starts May 20 and May 25 ... went 5-5 with a 3.93 ERA in his starts ... gave up three or fewer earned runs in 15 of his 19 starts and was unscored upon in five of those starts ... pitched well on the road, posting a 1.53 ERA (9 ER/53.0 IP) in those contests ... was selected by Baseball America as having the best curveball in the Cubs' organization ... led the league with 72 walks.
2003
Split the season between Lansing (A) and Boise (A) - combining to go 1-7 with 149 strikeouts and a 3.87 ERA in 97.2 innings of work ... began the campaign at Lansing, going 0-1 with a 2.76 ERA in 15 games (four starts) for the Lugnuts ... held opponents to a .141 average ... did not allow any home runs ... went 1-6 with a 4.35 ERA in 14 starts for Boise ... led the Northwest League with 99 strikeouts ... struck out a then career-high 13 batters and picked up the win June 30 at Everett.
2002
Began his pro career at Boise (A), going 0-2 with a 8.36 ERA in six games (five starts).
