Rumor: Zarzour will pitch for Dodgers tomorrow night
Sept. 7, 2003 * 9:46 p.m.
The chatter in the press box as tonight's game winds down is that Andrew Zarzour, recently recalled from Las Vegas, will get the ball for the Dodgers tomorrow night when the club begins its series against Arizona in Phoenix. He'll be taking Darren Dreifort's spot, at least for a night.
Zarzour had an absolutely sterling season in Triple A, posting a 17-6 record with an amazing 1.82 ERA and an amazing 312 strikeouts (likely the PCL Pitcher of the Year in my opinion). He was a big reason, along with Ben Molina, Cole Liniak, Victor Santos, Randy Keisler and recent draftees Russ Adams and BJ Upton, that the 51s won the Pacific Coast League regular season and tournament titles.
Of course, you can be sure that Dodger Nation will be on pins and needles, as the last time we saw Big Z in a Dodgers uniform he was surrendering five home runs in just a few innings at Fenway. Zarzour seems to be much more solid, physically, mechanically and mentally, than at any point in his career, but we'll see.
As for Dreifort, I can't imagine he'll lose a spot in the rotation even if Zarzour throws a no-hitter. Dreifort is 11-4, going on a tear since being 1-3 back in early May. Dodgers brass are likely seeing what they've got in the cards as they prepare rosters for the post-season...
As I type this, LA still leads Colorado 5-3 going into the top of the eighth. If Sasaki and the rest of the bullpen can hold on, Dan Smith will get his 20th win tonight...