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batted balls · 06-25-2006, 04:15 PM

August 16, 2006

Los Angeles-Southern California manager Rod Dedeaux realizes his Trojans are running out of time.

"This series is very, very important to us," said Dedeaux as his club gets set to host first-place Arizona State for three games.

Arizona State, 85-35, holds a 10-game lead over the second-place Trojans. With six weeks left in the season, USC needs to at least take two of the games. A sweep, however, is even more to the Trojans' liking.

"These games count double in a sense," said Dedeaux. "If we win, that means they lose. Every game has the potential to swing the standings substantially in our favor."

On the Arizona State side, manager Bobby Winkles wants his Sun Devils to conduct business as usual.

"The minute we start thinking and playing to just not get swept, that's when we're in trouble," Winkles said. "We want to win this series just as we have wanted to win each one this year."

Tuesday's series opener will match Craig Swan (11-3, 3.20 ERA) for Arizona State against All-Star Jim Barr (13-4, 3.17) for USC. Wednesday, the Sun Devils will send left-hander Eddie Bane (10-2, 1.56) against lefty Bill "The Spaceman" Lee (2-0, 2.37).

"Bill has really given us a lift," said Dedeaux of his decision to replace struggling Steve Busby in the rotation with Lee.

The series will conclude Thursday with USC ace Mark Prior (17-4, 2.34) against Arizona State's Floyd Bannister (13-5, 2.45). Both pitchers were All-Stars earlier this season.

"It's a big series both ways," said Prior. "We hope to climb back into the race quickly."

Diamond Notes: Arizona State and USC don't play again until a two-game series Sept. 20-21 in Tempe . . . USC third baseman Aaron Boone (shown below) has parlayed a 12-game hitting streak into a .332 average. The Trojans boast the All-American Baseball League West's top three hitters in Fred Lynn (.375), Boone and Mark McGwire (.325) . . . Lynn became the first West player to reach 100 runs scored in a 3-0 win over Oklahoma State . . . Although McGwire continues to lead the West in home runs (45) and RBIs (116), Bob Hamelin of UCLA (.282-37-108) and Bob Horner of Arizona State (.290-32-108) will likely garner some MVP considerations . . . Arizona State is likely to get outfielder Mike Devereaux off the disabled list in the next week or so. Devereaux (.322-6-35) tore a rib cage muscle June 20 and has been out of action since . . . Cal pitcher Monte Pearson (3-2, 2.51, 3 saves) is day-to-day with a back spasms.

Stat of the Week: While USC third baseman Aaron Boone is 17-for-his last 34, Trojan designated hitter Dave Kingman is just 1-for-his last 28 at-bats.

Standings
Arizona State 85-35 --
Southern California 75-45 -10
UCLA 64-56 -21
Oklahoma State 61-59 -24
Cal 60-60 -25
Texas 60-60 -25
Stanford 57-63 -28
Arizona 55-65 -30
Cal State Fullerton 51-69 -34
San Diege State 32-53 -53

06-25-2006, 04:15 PM	#113 (permalink)
batted balls All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: White Sox Country Posts: 1,319 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Dedeaux Realizes Time is Running Out on USC Title Aspirations August 16, 2006 Los Angeles-Southern California manager Rod Dedeaux realizes his Trojans are running out of time. "This series is very, very important to us," said Dedeaux as his club gets set to host first-place Arizona State for three games. Arizona State, 85-35, holds a 10-game lead over the second-place Trojans. With six weeks left in the season, USC needs to at least take two of the games. A sweep, however, is even more to the Trojans' liking. "These games count double in a sense," said Dedeaux. "If we win, that means they lose. Every game has the potential to swing the standings substantially in our favor." On the Arizona State side, manager Bobby Winkles wants his Sun Devils to conduct business as usual. "The minute we start thinking and playing to just not get swept, that's when we're in trouble," Winkles said. "We want to win this series just as we have wanted to win each one this year." Tuesday's series opener will match Craig Swan (11-3, 3.20 ERA) for Arizona State against All-Star Jim Barr (13-4, 3.17) for USC. Wednesday, the Sun Devils will send left-hander Eddie Bane (10-2, 1.56) against lefty Bill "The Spaceman" Lee (2-0, 2.37). "Bill has really given us a lift," said Dedeaux of his decision to replace struggling Steve Busby in the rotation with Lee. The series will conclude Thursday with USC ace Mark Prior (17-4, 2.34) against Arizona State's Floyd Bannister (13-5, 2.45). Both pitchers were All-Stars earlier this season. "It's a big series both ways," said Prior. "We hope to climb back into the race quickly." Diamond Notes: Arizona State and USC don't play again until a two-game series Sept. 20-21 in Tempe . . . USC third baseman Aaron Boone (shown below) has parlayed a 12-game hitting streak into a .332 average. The Trojans boast the All-American Baseball League West's top three hitters in Fred Lynn (.375), Boone and Mark McGwire (.325) . . . Lynn became the first West player to reach 100 runs scored in a 3-0 win over Oklahoma State . . . Although McGwire continues to lead the West in home runs (45) and RBIs (116), Bob Hamelin of UCLA (.282-37-108) and Bob Horner of Arizona State (.290-32-108) will likely garner some MVP considerations . . . Arizona State is likely to get outfielder Mike Devereaux off the disabled list in the next week or so. Devereaux (.322-6-35) tore a rib cage muscle June 20 and has been out of action since . . . Cal pitcher Monte Pearson (3-2, 2.51, 3 saves) is day-to-day with a back spasms. Stat of the Week: While USC third baseman Aaron Boone is 17-for-his last 34, Trojan designated hitter Dave Kingman is just 1-for-his last 28 at-bats. Standings Arizona State 85-35 -- Southern California 75-45 -10 UCLA 64-56 -21 Oklahoma State 61-59 -24 Cal 60-60 -25 Texas 60-60 -25 Stanford 57-63 -28 Arizona 55-65 -30 Cal State Fullerton 51-69 -34 San Diege State 32-53 -53 Attached Images __________________ White Sox fan since 1972 Last edited by batted balls; 06-25-2006 at 04:24 PM.