Osborne gets last-minute start

Nick Christensen

Thursday, June 17, 2004 | 9:01 a.m.

Former UNLV pitcher Donovan Osborne was scheduled to throw about 65 pitches in relief Wednesday for the Portland Beavers, trying to return himself to game shape following a month-long layoff.

Osborne, who started the season with the Yankees, signed with the San Diego Padres earlier this month with hopes of joining their starting rotation.

But Osborne made a spot start for Portland after pitcher Brian Sweeney was recalled to San Diego. Osborne allowed six hits and two runs that may have been earned, but could easily be blamed on a lax Portland defense that looked sluggish all night.

Still, he was reluctant to blame his defense for the two runs he gave up over his five innings of work.

"That's always an excuse," he said. "A couple pitches weren't where they were supposed to be. You can't expect a shutout all the time."

Osborne, who was a three-time All-American at UNLV, said he didn't object to being moved to the starter's role.

"It doesn't matter. I had 65 pitches either or. Sweeney was hopefully going to go six or seven. I didn't want to mess him up. I had to throw 65 when he got called up. It worked out perfect."

He said his arm felt stronger in his second appearance with the Beavers. Osborne expects to remain in Portland's rotation and eventually earn a promotion to the Padres.

Myrow was traded to the Dodgers this week to complete the May deal that sent 51s starter Tanyon Sturtze to the New York Yankees. Sturtze is 2-0 with a 4.26 ERA in five games for the Yankees since the trade.

In his only plate appearance Wednesday night, Myrow struck out swinging -- after looking at the first three pitches.

"I see a lot of pitches," he said. "I struggled a bit this year, hopefully that will change."

51s manager Terry Kennedy singled out Thurston when talking about a strong 51s defense backing up starter Joel Hanrahan.

"We had some good defensive plays," Kennedy said. "Joe Thurston was good at second base."