FORMER JMU HURLER, MEYER, EARNS FIRST MAJOR LEAGUE VICTORY

TORONTO, Canada, June 12, 2009 ? Former James Madison pitcher Dan Meyer (Woodbury, N.J.) earned his first career Major League victory Friday night as the Florida Marlins rallied for a 7-3 win at the Toronto Blue Jays.

Meyer entered in the bottom of the seventh inning of a 2-2 ballgame at the Rogers Centre after Florida scored the tying run in the top of the seventh. He retired all three batters faced on a groundout, foul out, and strikeout swinging. Florida then took the lead in the eighth with five runs on a grand slam by center fielder Cody Ross and an RBI single by shortstop Hanley Ramirez. The Marlins went on to win 7-3, making Meyer the pitcher of record.

Meyer has excelled in his role as a left-handed setup pitcher out of the Florida bullpen this season. He is now 1-0 on the season with a 2.30 ERA in 31 appearances. He has pitched 27 1/3 innings and allowed 15 hits and eight runs, seven earned, while striking out 27 and walking just six.

Drafted by Atlanta out of JMU, Meyer made his Major League debut in 2004, pitching two games in relief. He was then traded to Oakland in a deal involving Athletics' ace Tim Hudson and made his American League debut in 2007. He made 17 appearances, including seven starts, over two seasons with an 0-6 record and ERAs both seasons over seven.

The A's released Meyer in the offseason. He signed with Florida and made the Major League roster out of spring training. He's been a key piece to a Marlins bullpen that ranks 11^th in the National League with a 4.24 ERA but first with 211 strikeouts and first with 216 1/3 innings pitched.

At JMU, Meyer helped lead the Dukes to a school-record 44 wins as a junior in 2002. He went 9-2 with a 3.13 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 97 2/3 innings. He was drafted in 2002 by the Braves as the 34^th overall pick in the supplemental first round, tied for the highest pick in program history.

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