Monday, September 01, 2003

By Robert Dvorchak, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Pirates vs. Florida Marlins, 7:05 p.m. tomorrow, Pro Player Stadium, Miami. TV, radio: Fox Sports Net; KDKA-AM (1020) and the Pirates Radio Network. The Pirates swept the Marlins last week at PNC Park, but lost all three games at Florida last year.

After the game yesterday, Reggie Sanders didn't know whether to pack for the Pirates' next road trip or for Los Angeles. "It's out of my control. I'm just going to be ready for whatever," Sanders said. Sanders was put on waivers by the Pirates, and the Dodgers claimed him. Playoff rosters had to be set at midnight last night, and the Pirates had the option of recalling the waivers and keeping Sanders or working out a deal with the Dodgers. The inside word was that the Pirates were asking too stiff a price for Sanders, who will be a free agent after this season. General Manager Dave Littlefield said it was unlikely a trade would be made. Matt Stairs also said a trade was not in the cards. "Why give us away for nothing?" Stairs said. "We're both happy here. I don't think Littlefield and Lloyd are going to just send good players away."

The result was forgettable, but the Pirates remain convinced that LHP Oliver Perez is the real deal. In his debut with the Pirates, Perez didn't make it out of the third inning in a 13-6 loss Saturday against the Atlanta Braves. His fastball was in the 91-95 mph range and his breaking ball had some bite to it. "You have to like that arm," Pirates Manager Lloyd McClendon said. "He's got four quality pitches. He has a chance to be a good one." Perez, 21, will face the Braves again in one game of a doubleheader Friday in Atlanta. Brian Meadows also is expected to pitch that night. On his weekly KDKA-AM Radio show, Littlefield acknowledged that Perez, obtained last week in a trade for OF Brian Giles, is "not a finished product. I think we'll get better results as time goes on."

Fans won't get a chance to see INF Freddy Sanchez perform in a Pirates uniform this season. Sanchez, who has been on the disabled list with tendinitis in his right ankle, is wearing a cast because doctors believe it is best to immobilize his foot. Sanchez was acquired from the Red Sox in a trade for RHP Jeff Suppan. He played one game for Class Nashville before he was shelved by the injury, which the Pirates were fully aware of at the time of the trade. There have been internal discussions about sending Sanchez to winter ball, but no decision has been made. "We'll look forward to having him in spring training," Littlefield said.

C Humberto Cota decided to stop playing for Nashville -- at least for the short term -- because of apparent concerns about his surgically repaired left hand. "He's made the decision at this point [that] he's not playing. He has been suspended without pay," Littlefield said. When Cota was optioned to Nashville in mid-August, he was experiencing soreness in his hand and requested a second medical opinion. That opinion concurred with the finding of the Pirates' medical staff that there was no structural damage. Cota then decided to shut down his season. He had surgery in the winter to repair torn tendons in his hand, an injury he incurred while playing winter ball. His future with the Pirates is unclear. His minor-league options will be exhausted after this season.

NASHVILLE (79-62) lost, 13-2, at Albuquerque. Jeff Bennett (1-3) allowed 10 runs and nine hits in three innings. CF Adam Hyzdu had two hits, including a double.

ALTOONA (78-61) lost, 5-4, vs. Frederick. Rick Palma (6-5) went five innings, giving up five runs and nine hits. LF Josh Bonifay hit his 11th homer and drove in two runs. DH J.R. House also hit a solo home run.

LYNCHBURG (76-57) won, 6-5, vs. Salem. Jeff Miller (5-6) won in relief of Bobby Bradley, who pitched into the fifth inning and allowed four runs and five hits. Melqui Torres notched his 25th save. 3B Yurendell DeCaster doubled twice, drove in two runs and scored two runs. LF Nathan McLouth had two hits. RF Jorge Cortes had two hits and scored a run.

HICKORY (82-52) lost, 3-1, vs. Capital City. Zach Duke (8-7) lost despite giving up one earned run and five hits. He struck out nine. 3B Avelino Asprilla had two doubles and scored a run. SS Taber Lee had two hits and drove in a run.

WILLIAMSPORT (45-27) lost, 5-4, vs. Tri-City. Tom Gorzelanny (1-2) departed after two innings after allowed three runs and six hits. DH Anthony Bocchino had three hits. 2B Mike Cockrell had two RBIs. CF Nyjer Morgan had two hits and scored a run. Morgan also broke the franchise record for hits in a season with 89, a mark set in 1970 by Lambert Ford.

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