Relieved Gonzalez finally catches on with Stars

Excuse Jimmy Gonzalez if he feels a bit like a yo-yo these days.

After playing in 51 games for the Stars last year, the 26-year-old catcher started the 1999 season back in Las Vegas, just one step removed from his major league dreams.

Then in early June, Gonzalez received word that he was headed back down to double-A Mobile, to accommodate another move by the club.

"That was pretty hard," said Gonzalez, who hit .284 with six homers for Mobile in 26 games last year.

Just as he was getting ready to head out, however, the Stars changed their minds, opting to keep Gonzalez at the triple-A level.

As it turned out, there was little time for Gonzalez to rejoice. On June 15, the Hartford, Conn., native was sent down to Mobile, this time for real.

"We didn't have enough playing time for him because of (Ben) Davis," Stars manager Mike Ramsey said. "We had to make a move with a position player, and Jimmy was the odd man out."

Knowing Davis was a top Padres prospect and would likely be called up to the big club before long, Gonzalez accepted the demotion in stride, hoping his stay in Mobile would be short.

"That eased my mind, knowing that I'd be back up," Gonzalez said. "I just went down there with a good attitude."

That positive approach paid off sooner than later, as Gonzalez's stay in Mobile ended after just eight days. As expected, the Padres called up Davis, giving the Stars room, and plenty of playing time, for another catcher.

"It was a relief, but it was also hectic," Gonzalez said. "I was just getting settled in there."

Since returning, Gonzalez has been splitting time behind the dish with 30-year-old Frank Charles.

"I'm very confident in both of my catchers now," Ramsey said. "I'm splitting it kind of evenly right now."

* PITCHING CHANGE: The Stars released one former major-league pitcher on Wednesday to make room for another. The club said goodbye to left-hander Steve Cooke, who had no record and a 30.00 ERA in five games this year, and signed right-hander Pete Smith.

Cooke, who was trying to come back from arm surgery, had been with the Stars since June 6, coming out of the bullpen for all of his appearances.

"We just didn't have a spot to start him, and the bullpen didn't really work out for him," Ramsey said.

Smith, 33, has played for five major league clubs during his career. He is perhaps best known for rounding out an early 1990s Atlanta Braves rotation that included Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz and Steve Avery.

"He obviously brings some experience," Ramsey said. "He's had some success at a higher level."

Smith most recently pitched in Memphis for the St. Louis Cardinals' triple-A affiliate, going 2-3 with a 6.87 ERA in eight starts. Ramsey said he will use Smith out of the bullpen initially, but the right-hander could be in the rotation before long.

* ALMANZAR PAYS DIVIDENDS: For the third time this season, right-handed pitcher Carlos Almanzar was called up by the Padres on Wednesday, replacing injured catcher Greg Myers on the big-league roster.

The move paid off immediately for San Diego, as Almanzar worked two scoreless innings Wednesday night in the Padres' 11-2 win over Los Angeles.

* INJURY UPDATE: Outfielder Mike Darr was out of action Wednesday night after spending the day at the dentist's office with an infected tooth. Ramsey said Darr is day-to-day and should be back in the lineup soon.

Right-handed pitcher Brandon Kolb, who was unavailable for Wednesday's contest with a stiff back, is also day-to-day, according to Ramsey.

* STREAKING: With a 3-for-5 performance Wednesday night, second baseman David Newhan is now 16-for-24 this season against Fresno. Newhan was optioned back to Las Vegas from San Diego on Tuesday to make room for Carlos Baerga, who was celled up by the Padres.

* GAME RECAP: The Fresno Grizzlies scored five runs in the first four innings off Las Vegas starter Randy Wolff, then broke the game open with a five-run seventh to post an 11-3 victory over the Stars at Cashman Field Wednesday night. Fresno (41-37) got homers from Calvin Murray, Keith Williams and Jalal Leach in the victory, which dropped Las Vegas (36-43) 5 1/2 games behind the Grizzlies in the PCL's South Division.

* UP NEXT: The Stars will host game two of their four-game set with Fresno tonight at 7:05 p.m. at Cashman Field. Left-hander Al Drumheller (0-1, 6.32 ERA) will start for Las Vegas against Grizzlies' right-hander Steve Soderstrom (0-4, 9.47).

archive