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batted balls · 07-02-2006, 03:46 PM

September 7, 2006

Starkville, Miss.--All season long Mississippi State manager Ron Polk has been hearing glowing reports about minor league prospect Jonathan Papelbon. Tuesday, Polk got to see the right-handed phenom with his own eyes.

Papelbon made his All-American Baseball League debut a success as he shut out Illinois on five hits.

"Jonathan threw well today, which is promising for our future," Polk said. "(But) let's not get ahead of ourselves and put him in the Hall of Fame just yet."

Papelbon walked four and struck out four in the 5-0 Mississippi State victory.

"What was most impressive is how he pitched around mistakes," Polk said.

The Bulldogs committed three errors--two by short stop Jon Shave and one by Papelbon.

"I've always been taught to relax and not panic," Papelbon said. "Today, that's what I tried to do."

Papelbon posted an 11-7 record in the minor leagues this season. The 6-fot-4, 230-pounder struck out an incredible 241 batters in just 192 innings of Triple-A work.

Mississippi State took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on RBIs by Will Clark and Rafael Palmeiro. The Bulldogs then scored single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. Clark went 4-for-4 in the game, including a double.

"It's the old story of how well I'm seeing the ball right now," said Clark, who raised his average to .318.

Right-hander Jon Ericks (10-9) took the loss for Illinois. Ericks left the game after four innings when his right elbow began to bother him.

"Jon will probably miss a start," said Illini manager Tom Dedin, who saw his team fall seven games behind first-place Ivy in the AABL East.

Papelbon perserved his shutout by striking out Jake Stahl with the bases loaded to end the game.

"I thought about pulling him," said Polk. "But I wanted to see how the youngster would handle it."

All things considered, Papelbon handled it pretty well.

07-02-2006, 03:46 PM	#125 (permalink)
batted balls All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: White Sox Country Posts: 1,319 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Papelbon Tosses Five-Hit Shutout in AABL Debut September 7, 2006 Starkville, Miss.--All season long Mississippi State manager Ron Polk has been hearing glowing reports about minor league prospect Jonathan Papelbon. Tuesday, Polk got to see the right-handed phenom with his own eyes. Papelbon made his All-American Baseball League debut a success as he shut out Illinois on five hits. "Jonathan threw well today, which is promising for our future," Polk said. "(But) let's not get ahead of ourselves and put him in the Hall of Fame just yet." Papelbon walked four and struck out four in the 5-0 Mississippi State victory. "What was most impressive is how he pitched around mistakes," Polk said. The Bulldogs committed three errors--two by short stop Jon Shave and one by Papelbon. "I've always been taught to relax and not panic," Papelbon said. "Today, that's what I tried to do." Papelbon posted an 11-7 record in the minor leagues this season. The 6-fot-4, 230-pounder struck out an incredible 241 batters in just 192 innings of Triple-A work. Mississippi State took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on RBIs by Will Clark and Rafael Palmeiro. The Bulldogs then scored single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. Clark went 4-for-4 in the game, including a double. "It's the old story of how well I'm seeing the ball right now," said Clark, who raised his average to .318. Right-hander Jon Ericks (10-9) took the loss for Illinois. Ericks left the game after four innings when his right elbow began to bother him. "Jon will probably miss a start," said Illini manager Tom Dedin, who saw his team fall seven games behind first-place Ivy in the AABL East. Papelbon perserved his shutout by striking out Jake Stahl with the bases loaded to end the game. "I thought about pulling him," said Polk. "But I wanted to see how the youngster would handle it." All things considered, Papelbon handled it pretty well. Attached Images __________________ White Sox fan since 1972 Last edited by batted balls; 07-02-2006 at 04:09 PM.