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batted balls · 06-28-2006, 01:56 PM

August 23, 2006

San Diego--Cal right-hander Andy Messersmith's one-hitter was bitter sweet for the Golden Bears. The 23-year-old starter was placed on the 15-day disabled list following his 9-0 gem over San Diego State.

"I was throwing the ball better than I have in a long time," said Messersmith (shown below). "Then, afterward, came the pain."

That pain was in his right shoulder. Cal management decided to play things safe and shut Messersmith down for two weeks.

"We're not going to win the West this season," said Cal manager Clint Evans. "Andy has a very bright future. We've got to think about that."

Messersmith will join teammate Mike Cather on the DL. Cather, who leads the Golden Bears with 14 saves, suffered a pulled triceps muscle two days ago. Cather had been off the DL just eight days before returning to the injured list.

Messersmith gave up just one hit--a fourth-inning single to Mark Grace--during Monday's Cal victory. Messersmith threw 106 pitches (65 for strikes) as he walked just one and struck out seven. It was the first shutout of his career. Messersmith improved to 10-7.

Cal left fielder Sam Chapman provided all the offense the Golden Bears needed. Chapman hit two home runs and drove home three. Chapman has 22 homers on the year.

Juan Eichelberger and Larry Colton, both right-handers, were called up from the minors to take the spots vacated when Cather and Messersmith went on the DL.

Diamond Notes: San Diego State first baseman/designated hitter Travis Lee earned the West Player of the Week award. Lee hit .550 with five RBIs for the week. The 23-year-old is batting .259 with a team-high 26 homers and 70 RBIs on the season . . . After winning 2-1 in 12 innings, Arizona State lost two straight games at Stanford . . . UCLA first baseman Bob Hamelin hit his 40th home run off Arizona starter Scott Erickson . . . Six of the top 11 home run leaders in the West play for either USC or Arizona State . . . Since the All-Star break Oklahoma State has won just 17 of 46 games. The Cowboys dropped from third place into sixth . . . USC, UCLA, Cal and Texas all posted 7-3 records in their last 10 games. Ironically, those teams occupy second through fifth positions in the West standings.

Stat of the Week: USC has the top three West pitchers in terms of victories. Mark Prior leads with a 17-8 record while Barry Zito is second at 16-6. Jim Barr is third at 15-4.

Standings
Arizona State 89-38 --
Southern Cal 80-47 -9
UCLA 68-59 -21
Cal 65-62 -24
Texas 64-63 -25
Oklahoma State 63-64 -26
Stanford 61-66 -28
Arizona 58-69 -31
Cal State Fullerton 53-74 -36
San Diego State 34-93 -55

06-28-2006, 01:56 PM	#117 (permalink)
batted balls All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: White Sox Country Posts: 1,319 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Cal's Messersmith Pitches Gem, Then Goes on DL August 23, 2006 San Diego--Cal right-hander Andy Messersmith's one-hitter was bitter sweet for the Golden Bears. The 23-year-old starter was placed on the 15-day disabled list following his 9-0 gem over San Diego State. "I was throwing the ball better than I have in a long time," said Messersmith (shown below). "Then, afterward, came the pain." That pain was in his right shoulder. Cal management decided to play things safe and shut Messersmith down for two weeks. "We're not going to win the West this season," said Cal manager Clint Evans. "Andy has a very bright future. We've got to think about that." Messersmith will join teammate Mike Cather on the DL. Cather, who leads the Golden Bears with 14 saves, suffered a pulled triceps muscle two days ago. Cather had been off the DL just eight days before returning to the injured list. Messersmith gave up just one hit--a fourth-inning single to Mark Grace--during Monday's Cal victory. Messersmith threw 106 pitches (65 for strikes) as he walked just one and struck out seven. It was the first shutout of his career. Messersmith improved to 10-7. Cal left fielder Sam Chapman provided all the offense the Golden Bears needed. Chapman hit two home runs and drove home three. Chapman has 22 homers on the year. Juan Eichelberger and Larry Colton, both right-handers, were called up from the minors to take the spots vacated when Cather and Messersmith went on the DL. Diamond Notes: San Diego State first baseman/designated hitter Travis Lee earned the West Player of the Week award. Lee hit .550 with five RBIs for the week. The 23-year-old is batting .259 with a team-high 26 homers and 70 RBIs on the season . . . After winning 2-1 in 12 innings, Arizona State lost two straight games at Stanford . . . UCLA first baseman Bob Hamelin hit his 40th home run off Arizona starter Scott Erickson . . . Six of the top 11 home run leaders in the West play for either USC or Arizona State . . . Since the All-Star break Oklahoma State has won just 17 of 46 games. The Cowboys dropped from third place into sixth . . . USC, UCLA, Cal and Texas all posted 7-3 records in their last 10 games. Ironically, those teams occupy second through fifth positions in the West standings. Stat of the Week: USC has the top three West pitchers in terms of victories. Mark Prior leads with a 17-8 record while Barry Zito is second at 16-6. Jim Barr is third at 15-4. Standings Arizona State 89-38 -- Southern Cal 80-47 -9 UCLA 68-59 -21 Cal 65-62 -24 Texas 64-63 -25 Oklahoma State 63-64 -26 Stanford 61-66 -28 Arizona 58-69 -31 Cal State Fullerton 53-74 -36 San Diego State 34-93 -55 Attached Images __________________ White Sox fan since 1972 Last edited by batted balls; 06-28-2006 at 02:08 PM.