THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, August 1, 1994 TAG: 9408010129
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TOM ROBINSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
The guy is 21-5 the last three seasons in Triple-A. You'd think somebody would be taking notice of Eric Hillman, and not just because at 6-foot-10 he looms large in the center of a baseball diamond.
The Mets essentially stamped `Make an Offer'' on the 28-year-old lefthander when he was demoted nearly two months ago, out of favor with Mets manager Dallas Green. Thus far, the Mets say, nobody's made a bid.
So what's an outcast, a pending free agent no less, to do? Hang around and continue to fire tremendous games for the Norfolk Tides, maybe, in hopes of winning over another organization.
Hillman continued doing the former Sunday at The Diamond, where the Tides have not lost in six games. Hillman stoned the Richmond Braves, 2-0, for his fourth consecutive victory to push the Tides (55-54) a game over .500 for the first time since their season-opening victory.
They also are just four games behind Richmond (58-49) for the West Division's final playoff spot.
Three two-out singles in the first inning and a double steal - with Butch Huskey stealing home - against Mike Birkbeck produced the only runs of the day. Hillman, who is hitting corners lately as if the plate is grooved, and Mike Cook, who worked the final 1 1/3 innings for his 13th save, were more than able to make the runs stand.
Now 6-1 with a 3.14 earned run average, Hillman over his last four starts is 4-0 with a 1.04 ERA and three complete games. A sinkerball pitcher, Hillman hasn't been unhittable as much as simply protective of home plate.
That hasn't always been the case. He had a string of three incredibly lucky no-decisions right before his current streak in which he was tagged for 16 runs and eight home runs in 12 innings.
But since he blanked Richmond, 5-0, July 16, Hillman has been virtually impenetrable.
``It's all about confidence in your pitches and being able to spot them,'' said Hillman, whose 4-14 big league record and 4.85 ERA no doubt sully his reputation.
``I'm happy with my sinker, I'm happy with the fact that I can get ground balls. When you have good fielders and guys who can make the right plays, it can be an easy game. But there are days that the game can bite you right in the butt. You've seen that in some of my previous starts.''
Hillman was handed the lead when Shawn Hare, Huskey and Omar Garcia singled in the first for a 1-0 lead. It became, 2-0, when Garcia tried to steal second as Huskey broke from third. Catcher Eddie Perez's throw sailed into center, but because Huskey was moving on the throw, he was credited with a steal of home.
It was fortunate Huskey could remember it afterward. In the seventh, Hillman's only perilous inning, the Braves had no outs and men on first and second. Jose Olmeda, who had just ripped a ball barely foul past third base, hit a chopper toward third that Huskey charged before being plowed over by Perez running from second.
As Huskey laid out on the infield, slightly dazed and with a loose front tooth, Perez was called out for interference. Hillman followed by getting pinch-hitter John Orton to ground into a double play to end the threat.
``I think Eric under the right circumstances can be a very successful big league pitcher,'' pitching coach Bob Apodaca said. ``His (major league) record doesn't indicate it, but there's a lot of other things that go into having a good record. I definitely think he can pitch in the big leagues, and he's rededicated himself to proving that.''
One question: Now what? by CNB