The Kansas City T-Bones would like to congratulate former pitcher Erik Hamren on his first major league victory, secured Tuesday night at AT&T Park against the defending champion San Francisco Giants.
 
After the Giants tied the game at five against the San Diego Padres in the bottom of the eighth inning, Hamren was brought into the game with two on and two outs to face former American League MVP Miguel Tejada. After a nine-pitch battle, Tejada lined out to third to strand the go-ahead run at second base.

San Diego scored twice in the top of the ninth and all-star closer Heath Bell retired the side in the bottom half of the frame to secure the 7-5 win for Hamren and the Padres.

Hamren has been stellar since debut on August 1, posting a 2.16 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in eight relief outings for San Diego. He has surrendered just two runs on two hits while walking five and striking out nine over eight and one-thirds innings. The right-hander has not allowed a run in five straight outings, a span of five and two-thirds innings.

Originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 37th round of the 2008 amateur draft, Hamren spent two seasons in their organization before his release on December 22, 2009. He then signed with the T-Bones as a free agent on March 9, 2010. Hamren made 37 relief appearances for Kansas City in 2010, going 0-1 with two saves and a 3.93 ERA while surrendering just 47 hits in 50 and one-thirds innings. He was sent to the Joliet JackHammers on August 22, 2010 in a trade for pitcher Mike Rocco.

He opened the 2011 season at High-A Lake Elsinore before earning a promotion to Double-A San Antonio. Hamren went 5-0 with a save and a miniscule 0.96 ERA in 65 and two-thirds innings between the two levels before his promotion, surrendering only 46 hits while striking out 69 and walking just 14 in that span.