Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 32

IXi The Arizona Republic Tuesday, March 18, 1997 CACTUS LEAGUE Around the HORN Heralded pitcher ready to sit out season in Japan rotation that there has been talk about moving Scott Sanders to the bullpen. But it's all talk and probably won't happen. "We got (Sanders) to start. That's where we'll put him," Manager Lou Piniella said. That's just fine with the right-hander.

"I think I can help this team more by throwing 220 innings instead of 80 innings," he said. "I would rather be a starter." 'it Affiliate of D-Backs wins opener By Don Ketchum The Arizona Republic YUMA Mike Stoner said that in past baseball seasons, he has been a slow starter with the bat. Not this spring. The first basemandesignated hitter led off the second inning by sending the first pitch thrown to him over the right-field fence Monday at Desert Sun Stadium. He also drove in five more runs with a single, sacrifice fly and a bases-loaded double in the eighth as the Diamondbacks' High Desert affiliate of the Class A California League rocked Arizona Western College of Yuma, 1 1-1, in its first game of the exhibition season.

The Diamondbacks' Class A affiliate in the Midwest League, South Bend will get its turn at 1 p.m. today, facing Grand Canyon University. Left-hander Mark Davis, the 1989 National League Cy Young Award winner, will be one of five pitchers for the Silver Hawks. Davis, 36, is trying to come back" after missing the past two seasons because of shoulder and elbow problems. "I've been swinging pretty good in batting practice, feeling comfortable," said Stoner, 23, who signed with Arizona as a free agent last year after graduating from the University of North Carolina with a degree in political science.

The 6-foot, 200-pound Stoner played in 24 games for the Diamondbacks' short-season rookie affiliate in Lethbridge, Alberta, then played in 36 games for the Bakersfield co-op team in the California League. He hit .321 at Lethbridge and .293 with six homers and 22 RBIs at Bakersfield. High Desert Manager Chris Speier was happy with Monday's effort. "Though it wasn't the same type of competition we'll be facing during he regular season, it was good for the guys to get the cobwebs off," said Speier, who managed Lethbridge to a Pioneer League-best 50-22 record last season. Right-hander Erik Sabel, left-hander Mike McCutcheon and right-handers Jeff Andrews, George Oleksik and Mark Chavez limited Arizona Western to four hits.

First baseman Travis Lee and outfielder Kevin Sweeney did not play because of injuries. Lee has been sidelined since Thursday because of strained ligaments in his right ankle. He took batting practice Monday but probably won't play until this weekend. Sweeney, the Pioneer League's MVP with a .424 average last season, has a strained quadriceps but likely will play when High Desert returns to action Wednesday against the University of Arizona. High Desert 11, Arizona Western 1 AT YUMA The Arizona Republic Hideki Irabu is ready to say "sayonara" to big-league baseball for this season.

The San Diego Padres aren't likely to deal Irabu's rights to the New York Yankees or anyone else before today, the deadline imposed by his agent, and the ballyhooed right-hander is prepared to return to Japan and sit out the season. "We're leaving Wednesday," agent Don Nomura said Monday from his Los Angeles office. Nomura said he and Irabu, whose fastball has been clocked at close to 100 mph, are booked on a noon flight to Tokyo. A news conference is planned once they arrive. The Padres aren't exactly broken up about their failed attempt to land the pitcher described as the Nolan Ryan of Japan because of his 1,111 strikeouts in 1,101 innings spanning eight seasons.

"If he went back there to pitch or sat out a year, it wouldn't bother me a bit," owner John Moores said Monday. "I think (Nomura) felt he had to stage something." San Diego obtained Irabu's rights as part of an arrangement with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan's Pacific League, but he has refused to negotiate with the Padres. For the seventh consecutive season, the Padres wore green caps with their regular uniforms in honor of St. Patrick's Day. It's typically good luck.

In addition to beating Colorado, 8-5, on Monday, they won, 18-2, over the Angels last March 17. Angels After several injuries to key players, Manager Terry Collins finally got his fair share of good news. Closer Troy Percival, out because of muscle spasms in his back, will pitch next Monday or Wednesday, sooner than expected. Infielder Randy Velarde, sidelined because of stretched muscles in his forearm, will begin throwing in practice late this week. Right-hander Mark Gubicza, benched since March 3 because of a sore shoulder, will take the mound Friday, either in relief against Colorado or as a starter with the club's minor-league squad.

And left-hander Chuck Finley, who suffered a fractured orbital bone under his right eye after being hit by a bat Saturday, said he doesn't expect to sit out the three to six weeks that team doctors are predicting. CUBS Manager Jim Riggleman said either right-hander Steve Trachsel or southpaw Terry Mulholland will be the team's opening-day starter. "It just depends how the schedule breaks," Riggleman said. Trachsel had his best outing of the spring on Monday, yielding one run on four hits in six innings. The 1996 All-Star came into the game with a 9.90 ERA in three previous Cactus League appearances, but did not give up an extra-base hit and walked only two in his longest stint thus far.

Rookie Brooks Kieschnick, vying to start the season as half of the team's platoon PAOLA BOIVIN The Arizona Republic Snow's eye healthy; he's back on field Patience at the plate never has been J.T. Snow's problem. Patience away from it is another story. The San Francisco first baseman spoke Monday for the first time since a Randy Johnson fastball put him in the hospital with a fractured left eye orbit. Other than bruises surrounding the eye, Snow looked like the player the Giants were eager to sign in the off-season.

"I'm not a very patient person, but I have to try to get better," he said. "They may have to pull the reins backs on me a little bit." Snow was cleared to to begin controlled workouts after undergoing a full eye examination Monday by Scottsdale ophthalmologist Randall Tozer. On Monday, his workout included conditioning, fielding, throwing and swinging a bat. Snow said he would like to be ready for opening day. "Right now, we're guarded about that," trainer Mark Letendre said.

Monday's examination revealed the retina of Snow's eye is in good condition, the eye pressure is normal, and it has full range of motion. There is inflammation. Snow said he is grateful for three phone calls he received from Johnson. "He said he was sorry a bunch of times," Snow said. "He felt bad and said by no means was he trying to hit me.

I can understand that. I don't think that was the intent. I told him I'll be fine." Snow also said he will not be afraid to return to the plate and is not concerned about facing Johnson again. He will wear some type of protective lenses while he is rehabilitating, but he does not plan to wear any special helmet or mask. "The only thing I've been thinking about is how soon I can get back playing again." Still waiting For much of spring training, Rickey Henderson has waited for a tap on the shoulder from San Diego Manager Bruce Bochy.

"Thanks for everything, Rickey, but you've been traded to (fill in team name)." But based on recent events that have unfolded, Henderson now thinks he may may be a Padre for a while. "No, I don't think it's close anymore," Henderson said Sunday. The Padres have been unable to pull the trigger on a deal for the outfielder, who wants to go to a team that will allow him to play every day. They were close to an agreement with the Anaheim Angels, who have since had to rethink their plans. Despite the perpetual rumors, the Padres say Henderson has not been a distraction.

"I'm under contract with them, so I play and prepare the same way I always do," Henderson said. "I think the guys on the team know what kind of player I am and What I can do for the club. They know (the trade talk) is not about my ability, it's just the situation I'm in. "I know I can play the game for anybody right now, so I don't have much to worry about. I'm just keeping my head strong so when the time comes, I'm ready to play." Big shoulders It's not unusual for free agents who sign with the Giants to mention Manager Dusty Baker as one of the reasons they came to the team.

"I guess I do it a different way," Baker said. "I'm relatively easygoing, but I'm not soft. If things aren't right, I'll tell you. But I'm. not going to punish everybody for a couple of guys." That's a particularly sensitive subject with Baker.

was embarrassed early in my career by a couple of managers who punished me by punishing the whole team," he said. "I didn't like that at all. One day I missed the cutoff man during the game. The next day the whole practice we had cutoffs and relays, no BP (batting practice). So you know (all these players) were totally upset with me.

I hated Giants General Manager Brian Sabean said: "Dusty's a real person. He's very honest. He's very straightforward. He spends a lot of time talking with the players, not only about what's going on in the clubhouse and on the field, but what's going on in their lives. This is a hard profession to play day in and day out.

He's got a lot of strength. He's got big shoulders." Cough it up San Diego front-office executives referred to last Thursday as a "non-Irabu day," insisting that Japanese pitcher Hideki Irabu's name not be mentioned. Oops. Team President Larry Lucchino slipped and did. Former pitcher Dave Stewart, a special assistant to the general manager, fined him $5.

Paola Boivin can be reached at 271-8956. Giants San Francisco's pitching rotation is set. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the starting five will be right-handers Mark Gardner, William VanLandingham and Osvaldo Fernandez and left-handers Shawn Estes and Kirk Rueter. That means right-handed prospects Joe Roa, Dan Carlson and Keith Foulke, who have looked sharp, must battle lefthanders Doug Creek and Rich Rodriguez for the one job open in the bullpen. The other five relief spots are all but set, with closer Rod Beck, setup men Jim Poole and Julian Tavarez and middle relievers Doug Henry and Rich DeLucia.

Manager Dusty Baker would prefer to play under the lights. "I wish we played more night games in spring training," Baker said. "It gets us acclimated to the lights and after not having a day off in six weeks and getting up at 6 in the morning every day, it's almost like a day off. But after a night game (Tuesday) in Peoria, (this morning) is going to come awfully early. But we have to get used to the nighttime-daytime rebounding, too.

Athletics With everything from green beer to kelly green home uniforms, it was easy to tell it was St. Patrick's Day at Phoenix Municipal Stadium on Monday night. The only thing missing was a McGwire. Slugger Mark by a bad back, was held out of the starting lineup for the sixth consecutive day. He did take some batting practice.

Outfielder Patrick Lennon, who came to camp hoping to make the team and has been impossible to ignore after hitting an American League-leading six home runs, started at first base against the Giants. Lennon doubled to right his first time up, but was taken out of the lineup when he came up lame at second base. Those who arrived early were treated to a batting-practice contest between Jason Giambi and Jose Canseco. It started with both popping a couple off the billboards, and by the end of batting practice both were swinging for the fences. If it didn't go into the trees, it didn't count.

"Yeah, there was a little rivalry there," Giambi said with a grin, "but someone has to keep Cosy in his place." Contributing to this article were Paola Boivin, Spencer Patterson, Larry Ward, the Associated Press, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and San Francisco Examiner. more in the majors. He was right, of course. Those who grew up around Rodriguez knew success was in his future. His interest in baseball came from his father, Victor, who had played pro ball in the Dominican Republic.

He lived briefly in New York and the Dominican before his family moved to Miami. He gives the most credit, though, to his mother. His father left when he was 10. He still talks to his mother, Lourdes Navarro, about five times a week. The attachment is understandable.

After the divorce, his mother worked as a waitress to support her three children. It's still a rule at the family house to kiss mom when you come in and kiss mom when you leave. Rodriguez became a fan of Cal Ripken's when he was 7 and grew up with a poster of Ripken over his bed. He emulated the flip-toss throw across the diamond. In high school, scouts called him "the next Ripken." It was a quite a moment in the 1996 All-Star Game when at one point, Rodriguez batted for Ripken.

"I doubt that I had that much talent coming in," Ripken said after the game. "He has talent that flows with every action." Seattle agrees. He has done little to Dennis Springer in the seventh and eighth innings. Rookie Kevin Orie also homered for Chicago, hitting a solo shot off Hasegawa. Pedro Valdez and Rey Sanchez each had two hits for the Cubs.

Gary DiSarcina drove in Anaheim's run in the fifth inning. Jorge Fabregas had two of the Angels' six hits. Padres 8, Rockies 5 Doug Dascenzo, battling for San Diego's last backup outfield spot, had a double, triple and two RBIs, and scored once as the Padres beat Colorado in Peoria. San Diego starter Joey Hamilton pitched Wi innings, the longest outing by a Padres pitcher this spring, allowing three runs, eight hits and two walks. Rockies starter Kevin Ritz gave up five runs and 10 hits in five innings, and Bill Swift Rodriguez continues to amaze Mariners, opponents 1.

1 1 1 Elaine ThompsonAssociated Press After hurting his leg, Craig Shipley is helped off the field by Padres trainer Todd Hutche-son (right) and teammate Archi Cianfrocco. in left field, made his case Monday with two two-run homers against Anaheim. But Riggleman, who is considering six players at the position, said he still hasn't made up his mind about who will join Sammy Sosa and Brian McRae. Kieschnick is battling Brant Brown, Robin Jennings and Pedro Valdes for the right to face right-handed pitching, while Ozzie Timmons md Doug Glanville are competing for the other half of the platoon. ROCKIES Colorado first baseman Todd Helton may soon be known as more than the man who preceded Peyton Manning at Tennessee.

The former Volunteers quarterback is making an impression on the Rockies. He has hit .462 in his past nine games. He helped the Rockies beat Oakland on Friday with a two-out, three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth, and he was 3 for 5 Sunday night against the Mariners. His role has taken on added significance with the calf strain of first baseman Andres Galarraga. Although Helton knows he is bound for Triple-A ball in Colorado Springs, he may not be there long.

Last season, only his second in pro ball, he hit .352 at Colorado Springs after batting .332 in 93 game in Double-A New Haven. The Rockies were pleased pitcher Bill Swift went three innings Monday against the Padres, even though he gave up five hits and three runs. Swift has been slowed by a shoulder injury, but he has not had any post-game pain this spring. MARINERS Bob Wolcott has pitched so well in pursuit of a spot in the Mariners' starting Child prodigies Top performances ever by players who were not yet 21 on opening day: Player Year HR RBI BA Alex Rodriguez 1996 36 123 .358 TyCobb 1907 5 116 .350 Al Kaline 1955 27 102 .340 MelOtt 1929 42 152 .328 Rogers Hornsby 1917 17 66.327 Source: Elias Sports Bureau mentioned most? "His maturity has contributed a lot to his success," Mariners Manager Lou Piniella said. "And he has a great attitude.

He asks a lot of questions, which means he cares." It goes against Piniella's better judgment to promote players so quickly. But Rodriguez's obvious talents forced him to change his mind in a hurry. During his first season in professional ball (1994) at the age of 18, Rodriguez hit .300 with 23 steals and 21 home runs at four pro levels. He split 1995 between Triple-A and Seattle. He batted .360 with 15 home runs in 54 games in Tacoma and felt he could learn Brewers' big-league roster, retired all 10 batters he faced.

Seattle starter Scott Sanders gave up six runs and nine hits in three innings. Mark Holzemer faced six batters, allowing extra-base hits to the first five and a walk to sixth. Cubs 8, Angels 1 Rookie Brooks Kieschnick had a pair of two-run homers, and Steve Trachsel allowed four hits and a run in six innings as Chicago beat Anaheim in Tempe. The loss was the fifth straight for the Angels, but the work of starting pitcher Shigetoshi Hasegawa was a bright spot. The Japanese right-hander gave up six hits and three runs two earned in five innings.

Kieschnick hit his homers off reliever RODRIGUEZ from page Dl Rodriguez said. "I hope when I'm 35 and a 21 -year-old comes up, he gives me the respect that I've earned. "I feel there is a responsibility with young players to really give thanks back to guys who have been around awhile: the Ernie Bankses, the Cal Ripkens, the Ozzie Smiths. Without those guys, I wouldn't be where I am today." It also has helped that Rodriguez plays for a team with its share of superstars and popular players: Ken Griffey Randy Johnson and Jay Buhner. Even they are impressed at what Rodriguez has accomplished.

Called up to the majors at 18. Selected as an All-Star at 20. Finished second in Most Valuable Player voting by a mere three points last year, his first full season in the majors. Led the league in average runs (141), total bases (379), grand slams (three) and doubles (54). Seattle hitting coach Lee Elia believes Rodriguez's bat speed is as quick as anyone's, and he has seen a.

lot of players, such as Ryne Sandberg and Mike Schmidt. When Sports Illustrated polled the American League's general managers last year and asked whom they would most like to have in starting an expansion team, guess who was Arizona Western High Desert 000 012 100 000 1 4 010 16k 1 1 13 Nakashima, E. Sandoval (7), Ito (8), London (8) end Gal-lego and Nichols (8); Sabel, McCutcheon (3), Andrews (5), Oleksik (7), Chavez (9) and Davis and Baltzell (6). HR High Desert: Stoner. Sabel.

Nakashima. uisappoini. in iaci, me oniy ume imngs were uncomfortable between Rodriguez and the' Mariners is when they tried to sign him out of high school. He was the first player chosen in the 1993 draft, and negotiations dragged on all summer. Rodriguez's family and his adviser, i a ii i jl: Scott Boras, only allowed correspondence to take place by fax.

Finally, the sides agreed to a three-year, $2. 1 million deal. He now is locked in through 2000 and said he worked harder this off-season than ever, thanks to three-hour daily workouts that entailed running three miles, doing sprints, lifting weights and fine-tuning his hitting and fielding. He did this despite a busy calendar that included participating in an all-star game in Japan and taking care of endorsement appearances. "It was a relief to come to spring he said.

"I was so overbooked and so overwhelmed this off-season with things I had to do. I probably traveled 50,000 miles. I bought a new house and didn't really have a chance to enjoy it. Now I have a chance to prepare myself and have time for myself, which is what I need most. "I have never enjoyed playing baseball as much as I am now." rout Mariners allowed three runs and five hits in the final three innings.

Dascenzo, who had two late-season stints with the Padres last year, is battling Phil Plantier and Mark Smith to be the fifth outfielder. Smith helped his cause with a two-run homer in the second off Ritz. Angel Echevarria was 2 for 4 for Colorado, scoring once and driving in a run. Giants 6, Athletics 5 Glenallen Hill hit a three-run homer and Shawn Estes pitched two scoreless innings as San Francisco beat Oakland in Phoenix. Estes, who had been sidelined since March 1 because of biceps tendinitis, allowed one hit, walked two and struck out two.

homer Sunday, struck out four times. Rookie continues torrid hitting as Brewers Associated Press Todd Dunn hit for the cycle, going 4 for 4 with four RBIs Monday, to lead the Milwaukee Brewers over the Seattle Mariners, 17-5, in Chandler. Dunn, a 26-year-old rookie who led the Double A Texas League with a .340 batting average last season, hit a two-run homer and also had a sacrifice fly. In 11 games this spring, the former Georgia Tech linebacker is hitting .611 (11 for 18). He is tied for the club lead in homers (four) and RBIs (12).

Brewers starter Ben McDonald was inconsistent in his third start, giving up four runs and six hits in three innings. The right-hander struck out six, walked three and hit a batter. Jose Mercedes, competing for a spot on the.