Herndon making name for himself

Steve Guiremand

Tuesday, June 13, 2000 | 10:17 a.m.

With the Las Vegas Stars shuttling pitchers back-and-forth to the injury-plagued San Diego Padres much of the season, it figures to be just a matter of time before 21-year-old right-hander Junior Herndon gets "the call" to report to the big leagues.

Especially if Herndon continues to pitch like he did his last two starts.

Herndon (7-4) was named the Pacific Coast League's Pitcher of the Week after allowing just one earned run in two complete game victories, including a 12-1 win over Tucson on Sunday afternoon at Cashman Field.

"He was outstanding," Stars manager Tony Franklin said. "It's tough to overlook him when he has two complete games and does it in the fashion that he did. He was pretty much dominating."

Herndon allowed just five hits in the win over Tucson, walking two while striking out six. Perhaps even more impressive was the fact he used his 90-plus mph sinker to register 14 ground ball outs, seven of them by second baseman David Newhan.

"I'm not really a strikeout pitcher," said the native of Craig, Colo.. "Even when I get behind I still have the confidence that I can throw a pitch and get a ground ball double play ball if I need to."

Herndon entered the season recognized by Baseball America as the Padres' No. 5 prospect and also as the organization's best control pitcher following a 10-9 campaign at double-A Mobile. So far he has more than lived up to his billing, walking just 25 batters in 67 1/3 innings en route to a glossy 3.34 ERA.

Not bad for someone who should just be a junior in college. But Herndon, who signed a letter of intent to play at Arizona State before inking a deal with the Padres after getting picked in the ninth round of the 1997 June free agent draft, has no regrets about bypassing college baseball.

"I just wanted to be a pro ballplayer," Herndon said. "I had to put college out of the equation and get started on my pro career."

A career that could land him in the big leagues very soon.

"Of course I come to the field every day hoping I'm going to get the call that day," Herndon said. "But I'm just going to continue to go out there and do the best I can and be consistent. After that, whatever happens, happens."

Darr left the dugout to argue with Alvarado and was ejected. There was some question whether Darr may have bumped Alvarado during the exchange.

"I expected to see a letter or something on my desk about it when I came in today," Stars manager Tony Franklin said. "But there was nothing."

It would be surprising if Darr and the Stars were not notified by this afternoon. At the very least, Darr more than likely can expect a hefty fine in the $500 range.

Brendan Sullivan (2-1) picked up the victory in relief of Buddy Carlyle while Vicente Palacios picked up his fourth save with a 1-2-3 ninth.