Stars fall to River Cats in Saipe’s first outing

Victoria Sun

Thursday, July 20, 2000 | 9:58 a.m.

It wasn't exactly the fresh start Mike Saipe was hoping for, but it was a start nonetheless -- which is a lot more than the 26-year-old right-hander could say two weeks ago.

Saipe scattered seven hits and gave up five runs in four-plus innings as the Stars fell 13-8 to the Sacramento River Cats before an announced crowd of 2,853 Wednesday night at Cashman Field.

By his own admission, Saipe's debut in a Stars uniform (he was signed as a free agent on Monday) was mediocre. He wasn't able to protect a 5-2 lead entering the third inning and left with a no-decision. Brandon Kolb (2-3) took the loss.

"I felt very comfortable out there," Saipe said. "Any time we go out and score five runs and we've got a lead, I'd like to shut them down.

"I did a very average job at that. I would have liked to have done a better job."

Saipe attended the University of San Diego before being drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 1994.

Saipe worked his way through the Rockies' farm system, a stint highlighted by a call-up in 1998 when he went 0-1 in two major league starts.

He started his third full season with the Rockies' triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox, but was released July 9 after going 4-5 with a 9.44 ERA.

"This year it's been a case of untimely bad outings and not a lot of luck," he said. "That's not a good combination for a pitcher. ... I think I have pitched better than my numbers indicated.

"But I had a few really bad games, and it's hard to make things look decent.

"This is the best fit I could have asked for," Saipe added. "I am just happy to get a new start here."

"It did; it hit him in the head," Franklin said. "I went out to ask him about the play.

"He didn't think I was right. Before you knew it, we were discussing it quite vehemently. It was just baseball stuff between managers and umpires."

"He's being considered for a possible promotion," Sacramento manager Bob Geren said before the game. "They have a list of possible candidates and he is one of them.

"So they requested he throw on the side, that's all."

If Zito does get called up to the Oakland Athletics, Geren doesn't expect to hear the news until Friday.