TULSA, Okla. – Parkersburg Catholic graduate and former Marshall University pitcher Patrick Copen has earned two minor league starts since being promoted from High-A Great Lakes (Mich.) to the Double-A Tulsa Drillers.

On June 6 against the Amarillo Sod Poodles in Tulsa, Copen allowed five runs – only one earned – on three hits over 5.1 innings. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound righty walked three and struck out nine.

Last Thursday on the road against the Springfield Cardinals, Copen allowed two runs on four hits over five innings. He walked four and struck out six.

Copen did not receive a decision in either start.

Copen, who was struck in the face with a line drive last summer and missed the rest of the season, returned to the mound this year and broke camp with the Los Angeles Dodgers’ farm team in Great Lakes from the Midwest League. In 10 starts with the Loons, Copen posted a 2.25 earned run average in 48 innings.

He allowed just 22 hits and struck out 77 while walking 32.

Copen, who lost vision in one eye after being struck by the line drive a year ago, was 3-1 for Great Lakes.