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Friday, July 12, 2002

By Paul Meyer, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Pirates vs. Brewers, 8:05 p.m., Miller Park, Milwaukee. TV: Fox Sports Net. Radio: KDKA-AM (1020) and Pirates Radio Network. LHP Jimmy Anderson (6-10) will start for the Pirates, LHP Glendon Rusch (5-7) for the Brewers.

Those of you holding your breath that Jason Kendall will or won't be traded to the Colorado Rockies for Denny Neagle should exhale. If or when that deal is made, it will be a long process -- primarily because of the size of the contracts of both players. Pirates General Manager Dave Littlefield yesterday said he preferred not to comment on any "trade discussions or talks or try to give any credibility to what obviously is a very sensitive subject." Some baseball scouts think if the Pirates seek a pitcher from the Rockies, they would be better served by trying to acquire left-hander Mike Hampton. How about the Pirates trading Kendall for Neagle and then dealing Neagle to a third team? A scout yesterday said the Pirates wouldn't be able to deal Neagle to another team -- because he's owed $28 million over the next three seasons and has an option for another year at $12 million.

Left-hander Dave Williams had arthroscopic surgery yesterday on his left shoulder to repair a torn labrum. Dr. James Andrews, an orthopedic surgeon based in Birmingham, Ala., performed the surgery which ended Williams' season. Williams should be 100 percent in four to six months, according to Pirates trainer Kent Biggerstaff. Williams should be able to throw again in eight to 10 weeks.

Reliever Josias Manzanillo, on a rehabilitation stint in the minor leagues after the removal of bone chips from his right elbow May 7, pitched two innings for Class A Hickory Wednesday night. He allowed five hits, three runs (two earned) and no walks and struck out one. Manzanillo pitched for Hickory because the three higher-class Pirates affiliates had Wednesday off and the Pirates didn't want Manzanillo to go three consecutive days without pitching. "He's going to stay in Hickory a couple of days and see how he feels," Littlefield said. There's a remote possibility Manzanillo could rejoin the Pirates by tomorrow. "He'll be back," Littlefield said, "but only when we're sure he's healthy." Someone wondered if Manzanillo's situation were contingent on a trade of a Pirates reliever being made first. "This is not an 'A' before 'B' before 'C' case," Littlefield said.

Mike Williams, the Pirates' lone All-Star representative, loved his experience in Milwaukee Tuesday night. He pitched a perfect inning, striking out Yankees Alfonso Soriano and Derek Jeter and retiring Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki on a ground ball to second base. "I'm glad I got to pitch," Williams said. "I wouldn't have been [upset] if I hadn't pitched. Just being named to the team was something. Pitching in the game was a bonus. And pitching good was an added bonus." This was Williams' first All-Star game. "I was nervous," he said. "I felt like it was my major-league debut. I had butterflies and the whole 9 yards. The pregame introductions was when I was like pinching myself, like, 'What am I doing here?' It was a lot of fun. I'd love to do it again."

How did Williams feel about the All-Star game ending in a tie? "I don't think they had a choice," he said. "Nobody on either side wanted to play for a tie, but nobody wanted anybody to go home injured, either. I understand the fans being upset. They wanted to see a definitive outcome -- as [the players] did. But I think it was the right decision."

Trades made and rumors of trades being made are standard conversation fare in baseball clubhouses these days. "I've told my players a thousand times that this time of year rumors are flying all over the place," Pirates Manager Lloyd McClendon said. "The possibility of being traded is part of this game. It's something you have to deal with." Mike Williams' take on all the rumors? "I think [McClendon] said it best. He said, 'If you hear about a trade, it's not going to happen.' "

NASHVILLE (44-47) had the day off because of the Class AAA All-Star game. The Sounds were scheduled to resume play last night at Memphis.

ALTOONA (45-42) had the day off because of the Class AA All-Star game. The Curve was scheduled to resume play last night at Akron.

LYNCHBURG (58-31) had the day off.

HICKORY (54-35) beat Lexington, 5-4, in 10 innings. Starter Chris Young allowed five hits, two walks and a run in six innings. 3B Jose Bautista had four hits, including his 12th home run in the 10th inning. DH Walter Young had two hits, including his 14th home run.

WILLIAMSPORT (13-9) lost to Batavia, 1-0. Starter Josh Shortslef (3-1) allowed six hits, no walks and the run in six innings.

BRADENTON (12-7) lost to the Twins, 8-4. Starter Kurt Shafer (2-2) allowed six hits, a walk and five earned runs in four innings. RF Adam Milauskas had two hits, including his first home run. 3B Yoshiyuki Ohtsuka had two hits and an RBI.