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| The calatrava |
Part of the Milwaukee Brewers' future wreaked havoc on
the Minnesota Twins' present.
Right-hander Jeff D'Amico, Milwaukee's No. 1 draft
pick of 1993 and the youngest player in the major leagues, allowed four hits
and one run in seven innings, his longest and best outing of the season, as the
Brewers rolled to a 6-1 win over Minnesota on Monday night.
Marc Newfield, 23, who came to the Brewers three weeks
ago in a trade with San Diego, supplied a three-run homer that broke open a 2-1
game in the sixth inning. Milwaukee now has won four of its last five, all
against wild-card contenders Chicago and Minnesota.
"It was definitely my best outing of the season,''
D'Amico said. "I didn't throw too many pitches (87 in seven innings) and was
able to work ahead of the hitters. I had a couple of bad starts in a row, so it
was nice to pitch well. I feel good about my progress.''
D'Amico, who doesn't turn 21 until Dec. 27, was 0-3 in
his last three starts and won his first start since July 21. He only lasted
three innings in his last previous start, his shortest outing of the season,
but he set down the first eight batters he faced Monday and spaced four hits in
four different innings.
"We didn't hit well against the kid,'' Twins manager
Tom Kelly said. "He dominated us. He threw a good fastball and change-up. He
did a super job.''
Milwaukee manager Phil Garner said D'Amico's cool and
calm approach seems to work.
"This kid seems to be pretty mature,'' Garner said.
"If he was thinking about (his previous struggles), he sure wasn't showing it.
He looks like he has ice water in his veins. He doesn't show much emotion, but
he appears to be in command of his feelings. He has an idea of what he wants to
do. He keeps his frustration level down, which is something I've never been
able to do.''
The Twins started the night second in the majors for
fewest errors with 68 in 123 games, but infield breakdowns -- two errors and a
third missed chance -- doomed starter Frank Rodriguez (11-10), who lost his
third consecutive start despite allowing one earned run and five hits in six
innings.
"Nine times out of 10, they're going to make the
plays behind me,'' Rodriguez said. "I credit five or six of my wins to the
defense.''
Rodriguez allowed three hits and one earned run through
five innings and trailed just 2-1. He got the first out in the sixth before
shortstop Pat Meares erred Kevin Seitzer's grounder to open the door for three
unearned runs for the Brewers. After Jose Valentin singled and Matt Mieske
flied out, Newfield pushed the lead to 5-1 when he connected with a two-out,
three-run homer to center, his fourth of the season.
Dave Hollins' throwing error and John Jaha's single
that rolled under Meares' glove led to a two-run fourth for the Brewers.
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