Brewers Notes

DeJean learning new step

Slide move keeping runners on the bag

By DREW OLSON dolson@journalsentinel.com, Journal Sentinel

Saturday, May 31, 2003

Los Angeles -- Milwaukee Brewers closer Mike DeJean unveiled a new weapon while nailing down a 3-2 victory Thursday afternoon in San Diego.

After allowing leadoff man Ramon Vazquez to reach on an infield hit, DeJean used a slide-step technique to speed up his delivery and prevent the speedy second baseman from stealing.

"It's something that I've been working on," DeJean said. "I just decided that I'm sick of seeing guys steal bases. I'm going to do what I can to stop them. There are some situations where you don't really care if a guy steals a base. But, that was a case where we were only up one run and we didn't want that guy on second.

"If I can throw strikes, I'm going to keep doing it."

In DeJean's first 26-plus innings this season, opponents have stolen five bases in five attempts. Last season, opponents were 4 for 6 against him.

Rotation roulette: Left-hander Wayne Franklin will start the series finale on Sunday, taking the place of slumping teammate Glendon Rusch.

Rusch, who is 1-8 with a 7.38 earned run average and leads the majors in hits (103) and runs (53) allowed, will spend a few days working to fine-tune his delivery and will return to the mound against his former team, the New York Mets, Thursday at Shea Stadium.

Rusch's return to the rotation means that Ruben Quevedo, who starts tonight, will get two extra days of rest before he pitches next weekend against the Red Sox.

Happy news: Brewers media relations director Jon Greenberg is not traveling with the club on the current trip, with good reason. Greenberg and his wife, Shannon, welcomed their first child, daughter Caroline Barton Greenberg, into the world Friday afternoon.

Southern star: Right-hander Matt Parker, a 24-year-old reliever who is somewhat overshadowed by other high-profile prospects with Class AA Huntsville, was named BC Powder Southern League pitcher of the week for May 23-29.

Parker won two games during the week, going 2-0 with zero earned runs allowed, one hit, three walks and three strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.

"We're really pleased that Matt has been recognized for the award," Brewers farm director Reid Nichols said. "He's been an integral part in Huntsville's success this season coming out of the bullpen."

Parker entered the weekend with a 3-1 record and 1.96 earned run average in 36 2/3 innings. He was acquired from St. Louis in 2000 as part of a trade that sent second baseman Fernando Vina to the Cardinals.

Ouch: Dodgers outfielder Brian Jordan could be on restricted duty this weekend. He was hit on the left hand by a Shawn Chacon fastball Wednesday at Coors Field and is recovering from a severe bruise. "As soon as I took my (batting) glove off, the swelling was huge," Jordan said. "I thought it was broke."

Jordan, who once played defensive back for the Atlanta Falcons, jarred his neck while attempting a diving catch Tuesday and received acupuncture treatment on his neck and upper back so that he could play Wednesday.

As a reward, he got hit.

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