ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, June 12, 1996 TAG: 9606120066
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
One pitch was all the Salem Avalanche needed to end a three-game losing streak, reward hard-luck starting pitcher Doug Million and give reliever Luis Colmenares a much-needed shot of confidence.
That pitch was a ball and Kinston proceeded to score five runs after two were out in the ninth inning Tuesday night and hand Salem a 7-3 defeat at Memorial Stadium.
It was the 13th loss in 16 games for the Avalanche, which dropped to 32-33 for the season - the first time since April 13, when it was 4-5, that Salem has been under .500.
``We've found our fair share of ways to lose games,'' Avalanche manager Bill McGuire said. ``Tonight was just a prime example of blowing a perfectly well-pitched game by Doug Million.
``Doug has done nothing but give us very good outings game in and game out. The sad thing about it is, you sort of want to get wins out of that kid because it doesn't look like you'll see him much longer.''
Salem was leading 3-2 when Todd Genke replaced Million to start the eighth inning. The Avalanche's parent organization in Colorado has a 120-pitch limit for Million, who had thrown 113 through seven innings.
After Kinston had put a runner on third base with one out in the eighth, Genke struck out consecutive batters to end the inning. However, the Avalanche made the move to Colmenares after Genke walked Kinston's lead-off man in the ninth.
Colmenares, a 19-year-old right-hander, had 10 saves in the first month of the season. However, he has two saves since May 3 and his ERA had risen to 4.03 before Tuesday night.
``His curveball is his out pitch,'' McGuire said, ``and he's not getting his curveball over right now. Plus, the velocity on his fastball is not what it should be. All those things together spell `unsuccessful.'''
It looked as if Colmenares might get out of the jam when he struck out left-handed pinch-hitter Tim Jorgensen and the Avalanche got a second out when catcher Blake Barthol threw out Guillermo Mercedes on a bunt.
Colmenares worked the count to 3-2 on Patrice Claudio, but the payoff pitch was a curve in the dirt. The next hitter, Gerad Cawhorn, hit a double into the gap and scored two runners to make it 4-3.
``It's been the whole year,'' said McGuire when asked why Colmenares had struggled lately. ``The saves he's gotten have been agonizing at best. Something has disappeared between last year and this year.''
Colorado is committed to Colmenares as its closer after his 21-save season last season at Asheville, just as it is careful with Million, a 20-year-old former No.1 draft pick.
``I don't know who I'd rather face,'' said Kinston clean-up hitter Sean Casey, who had a two-run double off Colmenares in the ninth, ``but tonight I was glad to see Million out of there.
``I don't really see much difference in [Colmenares] from when we faced him early in the season. He did like he usually does. He comes right at you.''
The Avalanche needs an effective closer to do anything in the second half, just as it needs Million, who could be a candidate for a promotion to Class AA New Haven at any moment.
``There's always that possibility,'' McGuire said. ``I don't have any inside information. All I can do is speculate, but, if this kid keeps pitching this well, I'd be flabbergasted if he doesn't move up.''
SNOWBALLS: McGuire said Neil Garrett, who was 7-2 with a 3.89 ERA at Asheville, will start tonight. ``I'm not even sure who's starting the next day,'' said McGuire, referring to the injuries that have depleted his rotation... Garrett, a former 40th-round draft pick, missed most of the 1995 season following shoulder surgery. He made five late relief appearances for Salem. O.. The first 2,000 fans Thursday night for the Avalanche's game with NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 73 linesby CNB