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Press release from the International League:

MATT LAPORTA & JUSTIN WILSON HONORED AS INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

The International League announced today that Columbus first baseman/outfielder Matt LaPorta and

Indianapolis pitcher Justin Wilson have been named the League’s Batter and Pitcher of the Week for

the period from April 23-29. Each is the first from his respective club to win IL weekly honors in 2012.

MATT LAPORTA, Columbus Clippers

IL BATTER OF THE WEEK

Matt LaPorta of Columbus had such a great week that not even his 0-4 performance Sunday kept him

from leading the IL in several offensive categories. In addition to his two homers and eight RBI last

week, LaPorta led the circuit with a .524 average, 11 hits, and a .952 slugging percentage. On

Tuesday against Toledo, LaPorta banged out a season-high four hits including two doubles and a tworun

homer. He also crushed a two-run blast on Friday night against Pawtucket, one which put that

game out of reach as Columbus won 4-1. In all, LaPorta had four multi-hit games during the week,

adding multiple RBI in three of them. For the season, LaPorta is now 4th in the International League

with a .684 slugging percentage and is 7th with a .368 batting average.

27-year-old Matt LaPorta is in his sixth season as a professional player. He has 269 games of

experience in the Major Leagues, all coming with the Cleveland Indians between 2009 and 2011.

LaPorta is a native of Port Charlotte, Florida.