Former Tide Star Gets Ticket To MLB

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Former University of Alabama All-America Lance Cormier has been promoted to the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles purchased his contract from Triple-A Norfolk (Vir.) on Friday after the three-year veteran had put up solid numbers in his first year with the organization.

Lance Cormier was 1-1 with 0.96 ERA in nine appearances for the Tides this season. The former Alabama pitching star had worked 18 2/3 innings and allowed four runs (2 ER) and 12 hits, with 12 strikeouts and five walks. He had posted 11 consecutive scoreless innings, dating back to April 16, prior to his promotion to the Baltimore Orioles.

“We need a guy that is a long guy right now," Baltimore Manager Dave Trembley said. “A guy like Cormier is definitely someone that we needed."

Cormier has compiled a 14-18 record and 5.98 ERA in 123 career games with Arizona and Atlanta.

He was a fourth-round draft pick by the Diamondbacks in 2002 after leading the Crimson Tide to a SEC Western Division championship and a host spot in the NCAA Regionals.

He was 31-16 with a 3.86 ERA in 87 career games at Alabama. Upon his graduation from The Capstone, he was the school’s all-time leader in appearances, wins, innings pitched (384.2) and strikeouts (289).