ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, July 10, 1996 TAG: 9607100032
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
THE COLORADO ROCKIES promote Doug Million to Class AA after he spent 11/2 seasons with the Avalanche.
One day after his worst start of the season, Doug Million finally got the promotion he had been waiting for.
Million, the 20-year-old ace of the Salem Avalanche pitching staff, was called up to the Class AA New Haven (Conn.) Ravens of the Class AA Eastern League late Monday. The left-hander leaves Salem with a 7-5 record, a 2.53 earned run average and 99 strikeouts.
``I'm really happy for Doug,'' said Salem manager Bill McGuire. ``He deserves it. This is a great opportunity for him, it's what he's worked for. I'm not going to lie, his loss is going to hurt because he has pitched so well for us for so long.''
The call-up came after Million surrendered nine runs in 3 2/3 innings in a 14-5 loss to the Durham Bulls on Sunday. The promotion was already in the works, with the parent Colorado Rockies waiting only for Avalanche pitcher Luther Hackman to be activated from the disabled list and assume Million's spot.
Hackman, whose nose was broken May 31 by a line drive off the bat of Frederick's Eric Chavez, will pitch against Lynchburg on Friday.
The loss of Million, who had allowed three runs or fewer in nine straight starts before Sunday, leaves a hole in the Avalanche rotation. Only two of the current five starters - Mike Vavrek (7-4) and Hackman (4-3) - have winning records. Million is the second Salem starter to be called up to New Haven. Brent Crowther was promoted on May 27.
Million probably will make his debut with the Ravens Friday against the Portland (Me.) Sea Dogs at Yale Field.
The Rockies selected Million out of Sarasota (Fla.) High School with the seventh pick of the 1994 draft, but he struggled in Salem last year with a 5-7 record. He improved his control this season and learned a change-up to augment his fastball and curve in becoming the steadiest pitcher on Salem's staff. In one and a half seasons in Salem, Million was 12-12 with a 3.46 ERA.
``He really learned a lesson last year,'' said McGuire. ``This is an organization that challenges people and he responded. He became a man.''
LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Million (headshot) color.by CNBSTAFF REPORT KEYWORDS: BASEBALL