Trip to majors builds confidence for Kolb

Steve Guiremand

Friday, June 30, 2000 | 10:18 a.m.

The Stars got their star closer back on Thursday night. And thanks to three weeks in the major leagues, Brandon Kolb returns a smarter and more confident pitcher.

The hard-throwing 26-year-old right-hander more than held his own in his first trip to the majors, compiling an 0-1 record and 4.50 ERA in 11 appearances. He allowed 16 hits and walked 11 while striking out 12 in 14 innings.

Perhaps more importantly, Kolb, rated San Diego's 10th best prospect by Baseball America entering the season, got to rub elbows with and observe one of baseball's premier closers, Trevor Hoffman.

"The guys up there are real good about that," Kolb said. "Basically, you talk pitching down there in the pen. You pick up things. You don't necessarily ask questions. You just keep your mouth shut and keep your eyes and ears open and take it all in."

Kolb, one of the PCL's leaders in saves with eight at the time of his promotion, said he wasn't surprised when he got the call to join the injury-depleted Padres on June 4.

"It was something I thought I could accomplish this year," he said before the Stars' 10-8 loss to Albuquerque on Thursday night at Cashman Field. "But when it happens on surprise notice like that it does catch you a little off guard. But (pitching in the big leagues) is something I'd been preparing for for years."

Kolb said he felt satisfied with his performance with the Padres.

"I was happy with the way things went," he said. "I basically got my feet wet and got the nerves out of my system. I feel comfortable up there and confident in my ability to get people out."

Middlebrook gave up eight earned runs in just 1/3 of an inning in a 15-6 loss to the River Cats. His ERA with the Stars is a mind-boggling 216.00.

When the Padres activate the veteran right-hander in the next couple of days, it will mean that another pitcher from the major league club will likely be sent down to Las Vegas.

And reports in San Diego indicate that starter Woody Williams could be activated as early as Sunday to start against Colorado, which will necessitate another roster move by the Padres.

"There's a good chance we will get a player or two back," Stars manager Tony Franklin said. "But as of right now I haven't heard anything."

June has definitely been a month to forget for the 23-year-old catcher.

Davis started the month hitting a solid .299 with four home runs and 27 RBIs. But he has struggled badly in June, going just 13-for-81 with one home run and six RBIs as his batting average has plummeted more than 50 points.

Davis, rated the No. 1 catching prospect in baseball by Baseball America and the No. 2 prospect in the Padres' organization, is now batting just .245 with five home runs in his second full season at triple-A.

It's all part of a program by the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety and the Stars to educate children and parents about bicycle-related crashes, which kill approximately 900 people and injure nearly 570,000 each year.

Children and parents will be able to visit bicycle safety stations at the stadium before the game.

Branson's game-winner off Domingo Guzman (2-2) came after Davis missed what would have been an inning-ending popup in front of home plate to extend the inning.

Second baseman Nathan Tebbs had a home run and four hits to lead the Stars (45-32) offensively.