ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, May 23, 1996 TAG: 9605230055
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: AVALANCHE NOTES
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
Even after losing three straight starts, Brent Crowther of the Salem Avalanche wasn't thinking of changing anything about the way he pitches. Instead, he's changing where he pitches.
Crowther, the No.1 starter on Salem's staff, was called up by the New Haven (Conn.) Ravens of the Class AA Eastern League. Ironically, the 6-foot-4, 227-pound right-hander from Vancouver, British Columbia, got the call after surrendering nine hits and seven runs in 22/3 innings Tuesday night in a loss to Lynchburg.
It was the third straight defeat for Crowther, who ended his stay in Salem with a 3-3 record and 4.03 ERA. Despite his recent slump, Crowther said making major changes would be a mistake.
``The one thing I've been told, is don't change anything,'' he said. ``The same stuff you get people out with down here, you get people out with up there. I'm told when you try to do something different or make adjustments, you get in trouble.''
Crowther joined the Avalanche in the middle of the 1995 season and went 3-6 in Salem after going 12-3 with a 2.28 ERA at Asheville. He is expected to pitch for the Ravens either Sunday or Monday.
Right-hander Doug Walls will come up from extended spring training to take Crowther's spot. Walls spent part of last season in Salem (5-5, 3.84) before undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder. Right-hander Zachery Sawyer, a Rule 5 draft pick from the Oakland A's organization, also will join the Avalanche from extended spring training.
``Walls gets put right into the rotation and Sawyer goes to the pen,'' Salem manager Bill McGuire said. ``Sawyer's a Double A-type pitcher who needs to get some innings in. We don't know how long we'll have him.''
SNOWBALLS: Avalanche catcher Mike Higgins was promoted to New Haven for a stint that will last at least two weeks. Blake Barthol will handle the bulk of the catching chores, with Will Scalzitti in a backup role. ... Salem begins a four-game series at Prince William today. The Avalanche is 1-6 against the Cannons. ... Salem completes its 10-game road trip next week with three games at Wilmington. The next home series begins May 31 against Frederick.
LENGTH: Short : 50 linesby CNB