Runelvys Hernández
Encyclopedia
Runelvys Antonio Hernandez (ruˈnelβis erˈnandeθ; born April 27, 1978 in Santo Domingo
, Dominican Republic
) is a former right-handed Major League Baseball
starting pitcher
.
Hernandez made his major league debut July 15, , with Kansas City Royals
. His encouraging rookie campaign manifested itself in a 4-4 record with a 4.36 ERA
in 74⅓ innings of work over 12 starts.
Initially thought of as the right-handed ace of the Royals team that posted the franchise's first winning record in nine seasons, Hernandez became the opening-day pitcher
by winning Royals' manager Tony Peña's
coin toss against left-hander Jeremy Affeldt
. After spending the first five weeks on the leaderboard in almost every pitching category, Hernandez faltered as he tried to pitch through pain, and his season ended after 16 starts. He finished the season with a 7-5 record, but missed the entire season with Tommy John surgery
.
On July 17, , Hernandez ignited a bench-clearing brawl by hitting
Detroit Tigers
shortstop Carlos Guillén
in the head to lead off the sixth inning. The two continued to exchange words down the first base line, and Hernandez threw down his glove and went after Guillén. In all, seven players were ejected, most notably Kyle Farnsworth
, who tackled Jeremy Affeldt
to reignite the situation that had been settling down. Later in his Royals career, Hernandez got into a scuffle with batterymate John Buck.
On August 26, , Hernandez pitched his first complete game
shutout
against the Toronto Blue Jays
. The win
was made even more special because he defeated Roy Halladay
, one of the best pitchers in the game.
Hernandez was released by the Royals on December 7, 2006, and signed to a minor-league contract by the Boston Red Sox
on December 22, 2006. The contract he signed with the Red Sox included an opt-out clause that would become effective if he was not on the Major League roster by June 1. On that date, he exercised that option and was released. On June 5, he signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees
. He was released a month later on July 6. On July 17, he signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates
, but would be released less than a month later.
On January 17, , Hernandez signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros. In September of that year, Hernandez, 25-36 for career in majors, received a 50 day suspension for testing positive for an amphetamine-based substance. However, the Office of the Commissioner of Major League Baseball announced on Friday, October 17, 2008 that it had withdrawn the suspension of the former Astros’ starting pitcher because it was a first offense. The Commissioner’s Office also issued a brief statement to clarify that Hernandez’s June 12, 2008 positive test for an amphetamine based substance under the Minor League Drug Prevention Program “shall not constitute a violation”, and that Hernandez would not be subject to disciplinary action.
On December 22, , Hernandez signed with the Samsung Lions
in South Korea's Korean Baseball Organization, but he sought and was issued his release on July 9, 2009.
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River...
, Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
) is a former right-handed Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
.
Hernandez made his major league debut July 15, , with Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
. His encouraging rookie campaign manifested itself in a 4-4 record with a 4.36 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in 74⅓ innings of work over 12 starts.
Initially thought of as the right-handed ace of the Royals team that posted the franchise's first winning record in nine seasons, Hernandez became the opening-day pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
by winning Royals' manager Tony Peña's
Tony Peña
Antonio Francisco Peña Padilla is a former professional baseball player, manager and current coach. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Pirates, Cardinals, Red Sox, Indians, White Sox, and Astros. Peña was the manager of the Kansas City Royals between 2002 and 2005. He...
coin toss against left-hander Jeremy Affeldt
Jeremy Affeldt
Jeremy David Affeldt is an American baseball professional pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. He throws and bats left-handed. Previously, he has played for the Kansas City Royals, the Colorado Rockies, and the Cincinnati Reds....
. After spending the first five weeks on the leaderboard in almost every pitching category, Hernandez faltered as he tried to pitch through pain, and his season ended after 16 starts. He finished the season with a 7-5 record, but missed the entire season with Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
.
On July 17, , Hernandez ignited a bench-clearing brawl by hitting
Hit by pitch
In baseball, hit by pitch , or hit batsman , is a batter or his equipment being hit in some part of his body by a pitch from the pitcher.-Official rule:...
Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
shortstop Carlos Guillén
Carlos Guillén
Carlos Alfonso Guillén is a Major League Baseball second baseman and switch-hitter....
in the head to lead off the sixth inning. The two continued to exchange words down the first base line, and Hernandez threw down his glove and went after Guillén. In all, seven players were ejected, most notably Kyle Farnsworth
Kyle Farnsworth
Kyle Lynn Farnsworth is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently the closer for the Tampa Bay Rays.-High school and college:...
, who tackled Jeremy Affeldt
Jeremy Affeldt
Jeremy David Affeldt is an American baseball professional pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. He throws and bats left-handed. Previously, he has played for the Kansas City Royals, the Colorado Rockies, and the Cincinnati Reds....
to reignite the situation that had been settling down. Later in his Royals career, Hernandez got into a scuffle with batterymate John Buck.
On August 26, , Hernandez pitched his first complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
against the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. The win
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
was made even more special because he defeated Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay
Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies...
, one of the best pitchers in the game.
Hernandez was released by the Royals on December 7, 2006, and signed to a minor-league contract by the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
on December 22, 2006. The contract he signed with the Red Sox included an opt-out clause that would become effective if he was not on the Major League roster by June 1. On that date, he exercised that option and was released. On June 5, he signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. He was released a month later on July 6. On July 17, he signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, but would be released less than a month later.
On January 17, , Hernandez signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros. In September of that year, Hernandez, 25-36 for career in majors, received a 50 day suspension for testing positive for an amphetamine-based substance. However, the Office of the Commissioner of Major League Baseball announced on Friday, October 17, 2008 that it had withdrawn the suspension of the former Astros’ starting pitcher because it was a first offense. The Commissioner’s Office also issued a brief statement to clarify that Hernandez’s June 12, 2008 positive test for an amphetamine based substance under the Minor League Drug Prevention Program “shall not constitute a violation”, and that Hernandez would not be subject to disciplinary action.
On December 22, , Hernandez signed with the Samsung Lions
Samsung Lions
Samsung Lions Baseball Club is a Korea Professional Baseball team founded in 1982. They are based in Daegu and are members of the Korean Baseball Organization. Their home stadium is Daegu Baseball Stadium...
in South Korea's Korean Baseball Organization, but he sought and was issued his release on July 9, 2009.