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Wednesday, June 27, 2001

Compiled by Robert Dvorchak

Brewers vs. Pirates, 7:05 p.m., PNC Park. TV: Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh. Radio: KDKA-AM (1020) and the Pirates Radio Network. Jason Schmidt (3-3) is scheduled to start for the Pirates, Jimmy Haynes (5-8) for the Brewers.

Bobby Bradley, the top pitching prospect in the Pirates' minor-league system, was in Pittsburgh yesterday to have his sore right elbow examined by team doctors. Results of the tests were not available, although preliminary indications were that the problem was a bone spur rather than ligament damage. Bradley, the team's top draft pick in 1999, is 1-2 with a 3.12 ERA for Class A Lynchburg this year but has seen limited action because of his ailing elbow. Bradley's right elbow was sprained last year and he was placed on the disabled list July 1. He was 8-2 with a 2.29 ERA in 14 starts last year and struck out 10 or more batters in seven of his first 10 starts. "Anyone that's a prospect, we want our own doctors to take a look at them," said Pirates trainer Kent Biggerstaff. "They're the ones who have to follow up on them next spring or summer, so it's good to have that firsthand knowledge."

Mike Lincoln and Damaso Marte are hardly household names, but both relievers made strong first impressions this week. Lincoln, called up from Nashville, threw three perfect innings Monday night to help preserve Dave Williams' first major-league win. Marte, acquired in a trade with the Yankees for Enrique Wilson, allowed one hit in three innings against the Expos Sunday. Interim GM Roy Smith said Lincoln made five relief appearances in Nashville on the recommendation of special assistant Pete Vukovich, who thought Lincoln's curveball would be effective coming out of the bullpen. "We made sure to tell him it wasn't a demotion, that we were just going to try this and maybe it'll add to his value," Smith said. When the Pirates needed a 12th pitcher, Lincoln got the call. "In this day and age, there aren't very many curveball pitchers," Smith said. "It's a great pitch when you have command of it. And it's amazing what can happen when you throw strikes." Smith had scouted Marte and saw him throw 93 mph. He was pleasantly surprised when Marte was clocked at 96 mph on the radar gun Sunday.

Jack Wilson's strained hamstring is still sore and tight, and his condition will be re-evaluated during the next couple of days.Wilson missed his third consecutive start last night and is getting heat and ice treatments four times a day. If his hamstring remains sore, he might be placed on the 15-day disabled list. "We'd rather be cautious," Manager Lloyd McClendon said. "If it doesn't improve over the next couple of days, we'd probably have no choice but to DL him."

John Wehner, out with a dislocated shoulder, is taking fielding and batting practice. McClendon said he would likely be sent to Nashville for rehabilitation before he is reactivated. Francisco Cordova is is set to return July 1 after a rehab program in Phoenix. He will continue his rehab for another week, then throw for two weeks to see how his ailing right elbow feels before being re-examined.

Going into the game last night, Brian Giles had hit 91 home runs in his first three seasons with the Pirates. The only player in franchise history to hit more in his first three years was Ralph Kiner, who hit 114 from 1946-48. Dick Stuart hit 66, Barry Bonds had 65, Jason Thompson had 64 and Willie Stargell had 59. In his previous 18 games, Giles was hitting .457 with 10 doubles, 7 homers and 23 RBIs. The only time McClendon can remember him being hotter was Aug. 13-31 of 1999, when Giles hit nine home runs in 14 games. "There have been a couple stretches where he just punished the ball. His home runs came in bunches. I think he was about as hot as he could be [then]. The reason I say that is everything he was hitting was going out of the ballpark. He's certainly in a groove [now]. I think it's contagious for our other young hitters to see the type of at-bats he's having."

Mike Williams tied a club record by converting his 15th consecutive save opportunity Monday. Bill Landrum also recorded 15 saves in a row during the 1989 season. Going back to Sept. 3, Williams has converted 22 consecutive save opportunities, the longest current streak in the major leagues. In three seasons with the Pirates, Williams has 62 saves in 72 opportunities, an 86 percent rate. Does that make McClendon comfortable when Williams enters a game? "Comfortable?" he said, laughing. "In save situations, you're never comfortable. I certainly have confidence in Mike Williams, that's for sure. But I'm never comfortable."

NASHVILLE (35-40) lost, 6-3, at New Orleans. Sam McConnell (4-9) gave up three runs in the bottom of the eighth in relief of Steve Sparks, who allowed three runs -- two earned -- on four hits in five innings. He struck out seven and walked two. 1B Reed Secrist hit his seventh home run, a three-run shot that tied the score in the seventh inning. RF Adam Hyzdu singled to extend his hitting streak to 24 games.

ALTOONA (30-45) was off.

LYNCHBURG (29-42) lost, 4-1, at Kinston. Jose Lopez (5-4) gave up two runs on five hits in five innings and struck out four. 1B Chris Combs was 3 for 4 with a double, and SS Jose Castillo was 2 for 4 with an RBI.

HICKORY (31-43) won, 9-4, at Greensboro. Starter Chris Young (1-0) got the win, allowing two runs on three hits in five innings. 1B Jeremy Cotten was 3 for 5 with a triple and four RBIs. CF Nathan McLouth was 4 for 5 with two doubles and two RBI. 2B Efren Espinoza was 2 for 4 with his second home run.

WILLIAMSPORT (2-4) lost, 10-6, at home vs. Pittsfield. Starter Jonathan Searles (0-2) lasted 31/3 innings, giving up five runs on five hits. LF Jorge Cortes was 3 for 5 with an RBI and two runs scored.

BRADENTON (2-3) lost a doubleheader to the Red Sox, 8-6 and 7-3. Melvin Alvarez (0-1) lost in relief in the opener. 1B Tim Brown and 3B Bolivar Recio were 2 for 3 with an RBI apiece. In the second game, Leo Nunez (0-1) started and lost, allowing nine hits and five runs in five innings. C Milver Reyes was 2 for 3.