ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, April 23, 1996 TAG: 9604230129
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
Deep is the pitching of a baseball team that can send onefirst-round draft choice to the mound after another in a game.
The Salem Avalanche had the delicious luxury of being able to relieve hard-throwing right-hander John Burke with curveballing left-hander Doug Million in a 3-2 victory over the Kinston Indians on Monday night.
In so doing, the mound muscle on display represented the Colorado Rockies first draft pick (Burke in 1992) and their first choice in 1994 (Million).
Still, neither was around at the end. That job was left to closer Luis Colmenares, who came in to get the last out of the evening, a grounder to second by third baseman Tim Jorgensen.
``That's Colmenares' job,'' said Bill McGuire, Salem's manager. ``It's like Champ [pitching coach Billy Champion] was telling me on the bench: The only thing I can do is look bad that I didn't bring my closer in to get the right-handed hitter.''
That left Salem a half-game behind the Indians in the Carolina League's Southern Division standings. Kinston started the evening in first place. (Box score in Baseball Scoreboard. B2)
After the Indians' Chip Glass had tied the score at 2 with a run-scoring triple in the seventh, Salem came back to take control for good in the bottom of the inning. The Avalanche did so after having none on with two out. Elvis Pena laced a hit, and Chan Mayber brought him home with a double to left. It was Mayber's second hit of the warm, pleasant evening before a crowd of 1,175 at Salem Memorial Stadium.
Usually a starter, Million was asked to fill the unfamiliar role of long relief.
``I knew I was going to have to do it,'' he said. ``There wasn't anything I could do. I'm just not used to coming out of the bullpen like that. The important thing is the win. I'll take them any way I can get them.''
Burke is in town on a rehabilitation assignment from Class AAA Colorado Springs. Burke, who had started spring training on the Rockies' 40-man roster, had not pitched since March 20. He started the season on the disabled list with a shoulder, surgically repaired last year, stiffening on him.
``It was weird,'' Burke said. ``Even pitching here, I was very nervous. I had a lot to think about.''
Burke looked like a man with a lot on his mind when he lurched through the first inning with four walks and two wild pitches, but he only gave up one run.
``Obviously, I need a couple of outings here,'' he said.
Burke finished with five walks and four strikeouts in three innings.
Million remained untouched until the run in the seventh.
``He's thrown well every time out,'' Champion said. ``We're very pleased with the progress he's making.''
SNOWBALLS: Avalanche outfielder Pookie Jones, whose seven-game hitting streak ended Sunday, went 2-for-4 against Kinston. ... Indians third baseman Jorgensen has been in Salem before as a member of NCAA Division III World Series participant Wisconsin-Oshkosh, but he played at the old Salem Municipal Field last year because the new park was not done.
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ERIC BRADY/Staff. 1. Salem's John Giudice (right) slidesby CNBinto second base in front of Kinston second baseman Eric White on
Monday night at Salem Memorial Stadium ... 2. And Giudice is safe as
the ball sails over White's head and into center field. The
Avalanche beat the Indians 3-2. color.