Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 24, 1995                   TAG: 9505240113
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By MARK BULLOCK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SAIPE HAS GOOD THING GOING NOW

Mike Saipe is starting to feel good, which may be bad news for hitters around the Carolina League.

Saipe pitched six strong innings, and Keith Grunewald homered and drove in three runs Tuesday night as the Salem Avalanche beat Lynchburg 8-3 at Municipal Field.

Saipe faltered in only one inning, giving up two hits and three runs in the fifth. Otherwise, he was nearly perfect, setting down the first 12 Hillcats in order and striking out six - five looking at third strikes.

``My last two starts I've felt like I'm starting to get back in the swing of things,'' Saipe said. ``Right now, I feel like I'm right where I want to be.''

Saipe (3-4) pitched his best game since coming out of the bullpen to spell injured starter Doug Million. He was in complete control through the first four innings before walking the leadoff hitter in the fifth. He lost his bid for a no-hitter and a shutout when Lynchburg catcher Sergio Mendez doubled home a run, and the Hillcats tied the score at 3 when Tommy Robertson followed with a two-run single.

A starter his whole career, Saipe had to adjust to a role as a middle reliever. Now he's adjusting to being a starter again. Two things are the same in both roles.

``You've got to throw the pitches for strikes,'' he said. ``And you've got to get outs.''

No problem there. The right-hander was throwing all his pitches for strikes and throwing them where he wanted, hitting the corners and keeping the Hillcats off balance.

The Avalanche staked Saipe to a 3-0 lead in the second inning when Brian Culp led off with a single, extending his hitting streak to 12 games. Grunewald drove him home with a double, Higgins had a sacrifice fly to score John Giudice and Steve Bernhardt singled in Grunewald.

Grunewald had five hits and drove in six runs in the two-game series, and has batted .444 (8-for-18) in putting together a five-game hitting streak

``It feels good to contribute,'' Grunewald said. ``I've gone back to basics and cut my strike zone down. We've had different guys carry the ballclub, and if I can help out every now and then, it's going to be even better.''

Keywords:
BASEBALL