Friday, October 03, 2003

By Robert Dvorchak, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Corey Stewart, a left-handed pitching prospect with a knack for strikeouts, has joined the Pirates as the player to be named later in the trade that sent outfielder Brian Giles to San Diego.

	NEW ADDITION Who: Cory Stewart When: Acquired yesterday from the Padres as the player to be named later in trade for Brian Giles. Position: Left-handed pitcher Age: 23 This year: Stewart went 12-7 with a 3.72 ERA in 24 starts with Mobile, the Padres Class AA minor-league team. Notable: To make room for Stewart the Pirates released right-hander Jeff D'Amico.

"We think he has a chance to become a solid major-league starter," said Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield.

To clear room on the 40-man roster for Stewart, the Pirates released starting pitcher Jeff D'Amico, who would have been a free agent after the World Series. D'Amico was 9-16 with a 4.77 ERA while setting career highs with 29 starts and 175 1/3 innings pitched. His 16 losses led the National League.

Stewart, 6 feet 4, was 12-7 with a 3.72 ERA with Class AA Mobile in the Southern League. He shared the league lead in wins and was third in strikeouts with 133, winning five of his last seven decisions. His best game came June 7 when he pitched 5 2/3 hitless innings in a combined 1-0 win against Jacksonville in the first game of a doubleheader.

Originally a 27th-round draft pick of the Cincinnati Reds in 1998, Stewart was signed as a minor-league free agent by the Padres in 2001. He was selected to the Midwest League All-Star game the following season.

In 85 minor-league games, including 77 starts, Stewart was 31-19 with a 3.85 ERA and 432 strikeouts in 423 innings. He issued 185 walks.

	A day-by-day look at the 1903 Pirates, who won the National League pennant and played in the first World Series. October 3, 1903 The Pirates took the lead in the first World Series with a 4-2 victory against the Americans at Huntington Avenue, Baseball Grounds in Boston. The Pirates had seven hits and took a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-nine series. Catcher Ed Phelps gave the Pirates a 1-0 lead in the second inning with a two-out double. Third baseman Tommy Leach added a run-scoring single and eventually scored on an error in the third. Claude Ritchey added a run-scoring single in the eighth. Deacon Phillippe won his second decision by allowing four hits. He walked three and struck out six to give him 16 strikeouts in the series. -- By Randy Stoernell

The Pirates also received left-handed pitcher Oliver Perez and outfielder Jason Bay in the Aug. 26 Giles trade, and both are expected to be on the major-league roster next year.

Stewart adds some left-handed depth for an organization that started the season with five right-handers in the major-league rotation.

D'Amico's release sets up some competition for the No. 5 starter next year. While the Pirates will pursue pitching in the free-agent market this winter, they have said that Salomon Torres, Ryan Vogelsong, Dave Williams and perhaps Class AA pitcher Sean Burnett, the Eastern League pitcher of the year, will be in the mix.

Stewart likely will spend some time at Class AAA Nashville before he is considered for a spot in the rotation.

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