Friday, April 9, 2004 | 10:34 a.m.
Opening night is about getting through the nerves, especially when you're the center of attention.
So it was Thursday at Cashman Field for Dodgers prospect Edwin Jackson, a 20-year-old pitcher who was expected to be -- and may still be -- Los Angeles' fifth starter, but struggled in spring training and was sent to Triple-A to start the season.
And once the malfunctioning fire alarms stopped ringing, the rain stopped raining, and the pregame introductions were done, it was finally Jackson's turn for real.
Jackson started, sputtered, then started again, retiring 10 consecutive batters in his final 3 1/3 innings as he led the Las Vegas 51s to a 7-2 win against the Portland Beavers, before an announced crowd of 6,037.
Thanks to Shane Victorino's double in the bottom of the fifth inning, Jackson also got the win. His final line of the night was two earned runs, three hits, and five strikeouts in five innings.
Las Vegas 51s manager Terry Kennedy said after the game that Jackson's biggest challenge Thursday was getting past the opening-day jitters.
"Everyone can't wait to get opening day over with. You get through that first at-bat, for pitchers the first inning, and now you can go play," Kennedy said.
In the second inning, actually, Jackson gave up a single to the Beavers' Humberto Quintero, then nicked shortstop Ben Risinger before giving up a sacrifice hit to pitcher Dennis Tankersley. After giving up a two-RBI single to Portland's Bernie Castro, Jackson simply shut down the Beavers.
"I tried to stay aggressive, and make them put the ball in play," he said afterward, as the fire alarm started blaring again after being silent through the game. "Today, I pitched the same way I always do. I threw strikes, stayed aggressive, put pressure on them."
At a media session earlier in the week, Jackson said he wasn't disappointed in being sent to Triple-A, saying it gives him something to strive for in the early season. After Thursday's game, Jackson said he also is unfazed by other teams having offensive success off his pitching.
"If they put the ball in play, the only thing you can control is what happens after that," he said. "You just tip your hat and keep on working."
Kennedy pointed out before Thursday's game that Jackson's cool demeanor is a characteristic the young phenom has always had.
"He's a ballplayer first, he's not a cult of personality, like some ex- Dodgers," Kennedy said, laughing. "For him, it's just about Edwin Jackson winning games for his club and for himself. He's water off a duck's back, good or bad."
Kennedy said he was particularly impressed with Jackson's use of offspeed pitches, saying that Jackson wasn't simply out throwing, but was throwing good pitches.
Jackson said he was simply trying to do what he could with what pitches he has.
"I don't really jump too far. I just going to have to go out and stay within my capabilities," he said. "When you're in a groove, everything you do is so smooth, you just want to keep the momentum in your favor."
With the Dodgers not needing a fifth starter until April 17, it's possible Jackson could be in the parent club's rotation, although Los Angeles also has past starters in Wilson Alvarez, Jose Lima and Darren Dreifort providing bullpen support.
Barring an unforeseen call-up this weekend, Jackson will start at Cashman Field Tuesday against the Tacoma Rainiers.
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