| Andy Sonnanstine | |
|---|---|
 Sonnanstine with the Tampa Bay Rays | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1983-03-18)March 18, 1983 (age 42) Barberton, Ohio, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 5, 2007, for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 20, 2011, for the Tampa Bay Rays | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 28–31 |
| Earned run average | 5.26 |
| Strikeouts | 343 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Andrew Michael Sonnanstine (born March 18, 1983) is an American former professionalbaseballstarting pitcher inMajor League Baseball (MLB). He played for theTampa Bay Devil Rays / Rays. Sonnanstine is a graduate ofWadsworth High School inWadsworth, Ohio, and attendedKent State University. He also pitched for the Sanford Mainers of the New England Collegiate Baseball League.
Sonnanstine made his first major league start against theToronto Blue Jays, receiving a no-decision. He picked up his first major leaguewin on June 10,2007, in a game against theFlorida Marlins.
Sonnanstine demonstrated strikeout potential in 2007 when, through seven innings of work against the Marlins, hestruck out ten batters, including a franchise-record seven in a row, while allowing tworuns on sevenhits. He also went 2-for-3 as a batter, scored his first run and drove in his first careerrun.
Sonnanstine has impressed many by his mental approach to the game, as he is a fierce competitor who takes a mental approach similar to that ofGreg Maddux.[1]
One of Sonnanstine's best starts came on August 31, 2007, against theNew York Yankees atYankee Stadium, where he pitched 8 innings, allowing 2 hits and noearned runs (1 unearned run) with 5 strikeouts and nowalks. He ended hisrookie campaign with a 6-10 record, pitching 1302⁄3 innings with anERA of 5.85.
In another career night, on April 19,2008, Sonnanstine pitched acomplete gameshutout against theChicago White Sox. He allowed just 3 hits and struck out 4 batters while walking only one.[2]
On October 6, 2008, during Game 4 of the 2008 American League Division Series, Sonnanstine pitched 52⁄3 innings of 2-run baseball against the White Sox inChicago. The Rays prevailed putting up six runs of their own and clinching the Division Series.
Sonnanstine allowed two stolen bases in two years ('07-'08).
On May 17, 2009, in a game against theCleveland Indians, Sonnanstine was included in the starting lineup due to a mistake when Rays managerJoe Maddon entered the wrong lineup card, which had bothEvan Longoria andBen Zobrist playing third base, omitting the DH spot. The last time a pitcher was in the initial batting order in a game between two AL teams was September 23, 1976, when the White Sox battedKen Brett eighth against the Twins.[3] Sonnanstine went 1-for-3 with an RBI double and ended up winning the game despite the lineup error and giving up five runs.
Through July 1, 2009, Sonnanstine had the highest ERA of any major league pitcher (6.61).After the Rays tradedScott Kazmir to theLos Angeles Angels, Sonnanstine was recalled from Triple-A Durham to fill the hole in the starting rotation. In his first game since the beginning of the season against the rivalBoston Red Sox, he posted a loss, giving up 3 earned runs, 2 home runs, 8 hits and 5 total runs in 4 innings with a pitch count of 91 (55s-36b).[4]
On August 19, 2010, Sonnanstine was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring.Jeremy Hellickson was called up to make his MLB debut that day against theMinnesota Twins.[1] He was non-tendered and became a free agent on December 12, 2011
Sonnastine's 2011 book withTucker ElliotTampa Bay Rays IQ: The Ultimate Test of True Fandom, published by Black Mesa books contains ten chapters of Rays history and offers up 200 trivia questions.
On December 26, 2011, Sonnanstine agreed on a one-year, non-guaranteed split contract with theChicago Cubs.[5] He declined to be optioned to Triple-A, and became a free agent on March 24.[6]
