No panic for Leskanic

Reliever gets hit hard, but feels no pain

By DREW OLSON dolson@journalsentinel.com, Journal Sentinel

Wednesday, March 12, 2003

Peoria, Ariz. -- The pitching line wasn't impressive.

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Curtis Leskanic worked one inning Tuesday afternoon against San Diego and gave up three runs and three hits, including two homers.

But he was able to smile afterward.

Leskanic, who missed all of last season with shoulder problems, wasn't depressed about his outing. After striking out Mark Kotsay and Ryan Klesko to open his inning, he gave up a base hit to Brian Buchanan and a homer to veteran Brady Anderson.

"I struck Klesko out with a good curveball," said Leskanic, his 8- year-old son, Brandon, by his side. "I tried to throw the same one to Anderson and I hung it. He hit it out."

Catcher Michael Rivera followed with a long fly that sailed over Alex Sanchez's head twice, once on its way to the wall and once on the carom. Corner outfielders Jeffrey Hammonds and John Vander Wal weren't around to offer any help, so Rivera completed an inside-the- park homer.

Leskanic ended the inning by getting Donaldo Mendez to fly out.

"I think every pitcher has two gears," Leskanic said. "You have one when there is nobody on base and another when the game is close or you have guys in scoring position. I don't think I've found that second gear yet, but it's close. I feel like I'm right there.

"I threw some good pitches out there. I had a good curveball and my fastball had some life. The big thing is that I feel good. I feel a whole lot better than I thought I would at this point."

Test drive: Although he has started 52 of his 53 games as a pro, rookie right-hander Ben Diggins might have a future as a closer. He pitched the ninth inning of the Brewers' victory Tuesday.

"It's good for Ben to be in those situations," manager Ned Yost said.

After giving up a two-out walk to Mario Valdez, Diggins allowed a single to Buchanan, prompting a conference at the mound with pitching coach Mike Maddux and the infielders.

Moments later, Diggins stumbled on a delivery and was unable to throw the ball, resulting in a balk that moved the runners to second and third.

"I must have screwed up his toe-hold," Maddux said, smiling. "I'll take the blame on that one."

With the count 3-1, Anderson hit a soft chopper to second baseman Bill Hall and was retired on a nifty game-ending play.

"If you were going to mold a pitcher, that would be a pretty good place to start," Maddux said, referring to Diggins. "He has a lot of ability."

Home-field advantage: With their game against San Francisco this afternoon, the Brewers begin a run of seven consecutive home games. They will play split-squad games on Saturday and Tuesday and have a day off on Tuesday. Other than that, they'll be playing at home.

"That's nice for us because we can get more fundamental work done during the mornings," Yost said. "It's also good for the games.

"I want our big guys to play five innings and get them out of there. On the road, we have a van that takes them. If you want to play a guy or two for six innings, you can do that at home and you don't have seven guys waiting for one or two."

Rotation roulette: The release of Dave Mlicki has led to some scrambling of the Brewers' rotation. Right-hander Matt Kinney, who pitched Saturday against San Francisco, has been moved back a day and will take Mlicki's starting spot Friday.

Francisco Campos is scheduled to pitch today, but also will start one of the split-squad games on Saturday.

Notebook: Vander Wal leads the Brewers with 10 RBI. . . .

First baseman Richie Sexson is mired in a 1-for-16 slump but drove in a run on Monday with a groundout and drew a walk Tuesday. . . .

Right-hander Ben Sheets, the Brewers' opening day starter, allowed one hit and a walk in his three-inning stint. . . .

Shortstop Royce Clayton has been on a hot streak lately. He singled in five consecutive at-bats over two games and was 2 for 3 Tuesday.

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