Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 11, 1990 TAG: 9004120024
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Still, no matter the team, only one pitcher gets to start the first baseball game of the season. When the Bucs face the Prince William Cannons in their Carolina League opener at 7 p.m. today at Municipal Field, Buckholz will be on the mound.
It may be Class A, but as Buckholz said, "Getting to pitch on opening day anywhere is an honor - especially at home."
Buckholz, who was born in San Francisco and lives in Fremont, Calif., is no stranger to the Roanoke Valley. This is his third stint in Salem, although the first two were little more than cameo appearances.
The 23-year-old right-hander was the Pittsburgh Pirates' fourth selection in the 1988 June free-agent draft. He was assigned to Salem, pitching 15 innings. Last season, Buckholz started the year in Augusta (Ga.) of the Class A South Atlantic League and had a 9-4 record with a 2.57 earned run average before being promoted to Salem.
He lost his first three starts for the Bucs but won his last two. In 30 innings, Buckholz had a 5.10 ERA with 21 strikeouts.
"I knew they [Pittsburgh] would send me here," said Buckholz, 23. "You don't go to Double A without first proving you can do it in Single A. This is a step in the right direction."
Nothing against Salem, but the goal in the minor leagues is to move to the next level and do it as quickly as possible.
"I hope I can have a good couple of months and then get moved to Harrisburg [Pa., Class AA]," said Buckholz. "Hopefully, this time I'll start the season here and finish there."
Buckholz is working with Bucs pitching coach Chris Lein to improve his assortment of pitches.
"He's got to work on his curve," said Lein. "He's developed a pretty decent changeup. He's just got to gain some confidence in it."
For the first several starts of the season, Lein will have his starters on strict pitch limits. "If he only wants to get in three innings, that's up to him," Lein said. "In order to be successful in this park, you've got to throw strikes."
Buckholz's limit tonight will be 85 pitches.
"You try to prepare for every game the same way," Buckholz said. "You want to throw the least amount of pitches. With 85 pitches, I'd like to get in six or seven innings, keep the ballclub in the game and start off the year with a win."
The Bucs will be looking to get off to a better start than last season when they lost 22 of their first 30 games.
"I think we're definitely looking forward to getting off to a fast start," said outfielder Darwin Pennye, who started last season in Augusta but came up to Salem in early May. "The guys here are talented. The managers are different, and I'll think we'll have a different attitude. [Bucs manager Stan Cliburn] is a guy that pumps a little more adrenaline in you."
Since most of the Bucs were part of Augusta's South Atlantic League title team a year ago, they're hoping they've brought that winning spirit to Salem.
"I think we can win it," said shortstop Mike Huyler. "I got a ring last year, and I'm looking forward to another one this year."
\ BUC SHOTS: Prince William, the defending Carolina League champion, will go with right-hander Cullen Hartzog on the mound. Hartzog was ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the New York Yankees organization by Baseball America. Last year at Fort Lauderdale, Hartzog was 7-7 with a 3.38 ERA. He struck out 106 in 109 innings. . . . Designated hitter Domingo Merejo and pitchers Butch Schlopy and Chip Duncan are the only Bucs who were on last season's opening-day roster. Merejo was the opening-day right fielder a year ago. . . . Left-handed pitcher Mike Pomeranz was assigned to the Bucs just before they broke camp, bringing the roster to 25. Pomeranz came to the Pirates as part of the trade that sent catcher Junior Ortiz to the Minnesota Twins.
Keywords:
BASEBALL
by CNB