ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, July 5, 1996 TAG: 9607050082
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: SAN FRANCISCO
SOURCE: Associated Press
When a friend asked Jamey Wright last week to describe the perfect scenario for his major-league debut, the Colorado right-hander said it would feature a strikeout of Barry Bonds.
Wright did get a key whiff against Bonds and pitched six strong innings Wednesday night as the Rockies rallied on Ellis Burks' two-run homer in the ninth to defeat the San Francisco Giants 3-2.
Ironically, the only run off Wright came on the fourth-inning pitch on which he got Bonds on a called third strike.
Stan Javier led off the Giants' fourth with a double and went to third on a groundout. Matt Williams walked, then was caught in a rundown while trying to steal second as Bonds took strike three. Javier scored before the Rockies could tag Williams.
``I've spent all my life waiting for this day,'' said Wright, who pitched last season for the Class A Salem Avalanche. ``I wanted to strike out Bonds so bad. Luckily, [the umpire] gave me the pitch. Usually I don't think rookies are supposed to get that pitch.''
Wright, who allowed four hits and two walks while striking out four, left with the score tied 1-1. The Giants took a 2-1 lead in the eighth on Javier's RBI double off reliever Curtis Leskanic, but it was short-lived.
John Vander Wal singled with one out in the ninth and Burks hit his career-high 22nd homer over the right-field wall off reliever Rod Beck to break the Rockies' five-game road losing streak.
``I didn't think it was out. I didn't think it was deep enough, especially with the way the wind was swirling,'' said Burks, who was named as an All-Star reserve on Tuesday.
It was the fourth blown save of the season, and the third in his past four chances, for Beck (0-5). In his past six appearances, Beck has four losses and three blown saves while posting an ERA of 24.00.
``I throw strikes, that's my style. I threw a lot of good pitches and then I threw one bad one,'' Beck said. ``I throw strikes, no walks. I don't want to beat myself. Tonight, they beat me.''
Leskanic (5-3) got the victory. Bruce Ruffin pitched the ninth for his 13th save.
It was only the second time in 21 games this season the Rockies have won when scoring three runs or fewer. It also was the fourth time in 42 games in which the Rockies won after trailing in the ninth.
The attendance of 44,356, mostly due to a postgame fireworks show, was the Giants' second largest of the season - surpassed only by opening day.
Osvaldo Fernandez allowed one run on eight hits in 62/3 innings for the Giants, nearly matching the mastery of Wright.
Wright, 21, was called up from the minors on Monday as Rockies manager Don Baylor tried to shake up a pitching staff that has the worst ERA in the National League.
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Wrightby CNB