Lawrence is living up to high billing

Thursday, Aug. 10, 2000 | 9:49 a.m.

OMAHA, Neb. -- It's easy to see why Ted Simmons, the San Diego Padres' vice president of scouting and player development, is so high on Las Vegas Stars right-hander Brian Lawrence.

Lawrence, singled out last week by Simmons as perhaps the next Las Vegas pitcher to get a shot at the big leagues, pitched six more shutout innings on Wednesday in helping lead the Stars (61-56) to a 6-2 victory over the Omaha Golden Spikes (54-63) at Rosenblatt Stadium.

The 6-0, 195-pound Lawrence allowed just seven hits --- all singles --- while walking one and striking out three en route to his first triple-A victory.

In three Las Vegas starts since being promoted from double-A Mobile, Lawrence (1-0) has allowed just one earned run in 17 2/3 innings (0.51 ERA). He has allowed 17 hits, walked one and struck out 16.

Center fielder Ethan Faggett keyed a five-run Las Vegas fourth inning with a two-run homer, his first at the triple-A level.

First baseman John Scheschuk, promoted from Class A Fort Wayne earlier this week to help out the injury-ravaged Stars, had three hits for Las Vegas.

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