Stan Spencer gets OK to pitch

Steve Guiremand

Friday, May 1, 1998 | 8:42 a.m.

All things considered, Stan Spencer was due for a little good news at the doctor's office.

The former Stanford All-American, who during his nine-year pro career has overcome elbow reconstruction, cracked ribs and a shoulder injury suffered during a freak skiing accident, arguably has been the Las Vegas Stars' top pitcher in 1998, compiling a 3-0 record with a 3.62 ERA.

Spencer turned in the top single-game pitching performance of the season on Tuesday at Cashman Field, striking out 12 while allowing just four hits and no walks over seven-plus innings in an eventual 5-3 loss to Memphis.

But Spencer had to leave that contest in the eighth inning after he "felt something grab in my foot." It was feared the 28-year-old right-hander might be sidelined for a while with a stress fracture in his right foot, an injury he also had suffered during his freshman year at Stanford.

However, a couple of hours later, Spencer received some some good news. X-rays of his foot were negative and his injury was diagnosed as a mild sprained toe. He is expected to make his next scheduled start at Nashville on Tuesday.

"I just pinched a nerve in there," Spencer said before the Stars' 2-1 loss to the Oklahoma Redhawks at Cashman Field. "I should be able to make my next start."

Spencer said he was worried about his injury on the way to the doctor's office.

"I tried to stay as positive as I could about it. It felt the same as the stress fracture I had at Stanford. And it was rough leaving the game like that."

Especially when you were pitching as well as Spencer was. He threw 96 pitches and had a remarkable 68-28 strike-to-ball ratio. He struck out the side twice and allowed just two singles over the first seven innings.

"I thought I pitched as well as that a few times last year," Spencer, who compiled a 3-2 record and 3.75 ERA in eight starts with the Stars in 1997, said. "But that was the best I've pitched this year."

Stars manager Jerry Royster agreed.

"I've seen him do that before," Royster said. "He had another 12 strikeout performance like that last year for us. So when he pitches like that it really doesn't surprise me. I really think a lot of Stan's ability."

Stars pitching coach Dave Smith said earlier this season that he thought Spencer pitched as well as anybody during spring training with the Padres.

Royster believes Spencer has made steady improvement over the last two seasons in Las Vegas.

"He's improved all of his pitches," Royster said. "Before he had a lot of average pitches, nothing really eye-popping. But now he has an above average fastball, an above average cut fastball and his breaking ball is also above average at times. And his change-up is definitely above average.

"He's smart. He knows how to set them up and mixes his pitches well."

If he can stay healthy and continue to pitch like he did on Tuesday, it figures Spencer may finally get his chance to pitch in the major leagues this year.

"It's going to take some time," Royster cautioned. "I've told him I thought he could pitch in the major leagues if he had the same composure on the mound there as he's shown here. But there usually aren't very many guys who have the same composure in the big leagues as they do in triple-A."