The Arizona Diamondbacks announced on Saturday that former Kane County Cougars closer Zac Curtis had been selected from Single-A Advanced Visalia. Curtis made his Major League Baseball debut for the D-backs in a 5-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night.

Entering in the top of the ninth with runners on first and second and one out on the board, Curtis needed only three pitches to get the Rockies Gerardo Parra to hit into an inning ending double play.

A native of Castalian Springs, TN. Curtis made his Major League debut in just his third professional season as a member of the Diamondbacks organization. Last season with the Cougars, he earned Mid-Season and Post-Season All-Star honors after finishing with a record of 4-4 while posting a 1.33 ERA. His 33 saves set a Cougars single-season record. In 54.0 innings he allowed just 33 hits and nine runs against with 75 strikeouts while holding opposing batters to a .176 batting average. Following the 2015 season he also earned the Arizona Organizational All-Star Award.

In eight games for the Visalia Rawhide this season, he was 1-0 with two saves, a 5.23 ERA and 22 strikeouts.

Curtis, a sixth round draft choice in 2014 by Arizona, becomes the first Cougars alumni to make his major league debut with the Diamondbacks since Kane County became the organization’s Single-A affiliate in 2015.

The Cougars opened a six-game homestand Monday against the Lake County Captains at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark. This homestand includes the first theme nights of the season with Cinco de Mayo Night on Thursday, May 5, and the Halfway to Halloween celebration on Friday, May 6. To order tickets call the box office at 630-232-8811 or visit kccougars.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates on tickets and promotions.

SOURCE: Kane County Cougars news release