Sweeney Notches First Major League Save for
Padres 
DOBBS FERRY, NY - Former Mercy College pitcher Brian Sweeney continued his stretch of strong relief outings for the San Diego Padres, earning his first Major League save on Sunday, May 7, in a 6-3 win over the Chicago Cubs.
After starter Woody Williams held the Cubs to three runs on eight hits in eight innings, Sweeney pitched a perfect ninth frame to close out San Diego's eighth straight win. After getting Jacque Jones on a ground out to second base, he retired Jerry Hairston, Jr. on a line out to center field and finished it off by getting pinch-hitter John Mabry to ground out to first base.
Sweeney, a Yonkers, NY, native, has not allowed a run over his last six appearances, totaling 7.1 innings pitched. During that stretch he has allowed only three hits, walked just one, and struck out three. Sweeney's earned run average has dropped to 2.76 in 11 appearances this season. He is part of a pitching staff that ranks fourth in the National League with a 4.05 earned run average.
Sweeney played at Mercy College from 1993-1996, both as a pitcher and outfielder. He posted nine wins during his career, including a high of five in 1995 as a junior. Sweeney appeared in 47 games on the mound for the Flyers, making 31 starts and striking out 192 batters in 224 1/3 innings pitched. A great all-around athlete, he batted .281, including a career-high of .336 during his senior campaign with 11 doubles and 16 runs batted in, while successfully stealing 14 bases in 16 attempts. As a junior, Sweeney belted five home runs and knocked in 17 runs, while earning NYCAC Scholar Athlete of the Year honors.
