Juan Carlos Sulbaran makes debut at AAA Omaha

Curacaoan pitcher Juan Carlos Sulbaran was promoted to AAA Omaha, where he debuted last Friday with the StormChasers (Kansas City Royals organization). 

In a game vs the Round Rock Express (Texas Rangers organization) he lasted 6.2 innings before he was replaced.

Juan Carlos cruised through the first six innings and only gave up one run on a solo homerun in the second inning.
He struck out nine batters: two in the second inning, one in the third, two in the fifth, two in the sixth and two in the seventh. After his final strikeout in the seventh, he was replaced by Troy Palton. At that moment it seemed to be a poor decision because Palton gave up a homer to Joey Gallo (his second of the game), the first batter that he faced.

Sulbaran gave up two hits and a walk and left the game with a 1.35 ERA.

His promotion may be called remarkable as his recent numbers at AA Nortwest Arkansas were so-so. Of his last nine games, he lost three with big numbers and got six no-decisions. After his last loss on July 7, he slowly managed to lower his ERA from 5.15 to 4.80 in four no-decisions.

Last season Sulbaran would join team Netherlands for the European Cup, but shortly before he traveled to Europe, he was added to the play off roster of the Storm Chasers. During the play offs he never saw action.

In 2011 Sulbaran was also part of the Dutch National team during the world cup, that was won by the Dutch as they beat Cuba 2-1 in the final in which Sulbaran also pitched 0.2 innings in the eighth in relief of Rob Cordemans.