TEXT05—Dustin McGowan was on the Syracuse Chiefs pitcher’s mound for the opening game Thursday night and pitched five solid innings, helping lead the Chiefs to a 2-1 win over the Durham Bulls in Durham, N.C.
McGowan, who in 2006 went back and fourth between the Chiefs and their major league affiliate the Toronto Blue Jays, started this season out with the Chiefs but hopes his stay there will be temporary.
In Thursday’s game, McGowan faced 20 batters, struck out 8, walked 2 and gave up 2 hits, allowing 1 unearned run. He threw 87 pitches and 55 of them were for strikes.
Toronto was allowed a fourth option year for the 24-year-old pitching prospect, due to him missing a majority of the 2004 season after undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery.
One thing that has changed for McGowan this year from last year is the club has reported they will focus on him as a starter. During the last two years, Toronto has worked with him as both a starter and as a reliever.
McGowan may be back on the Blue Jay mound sooner than anyone expected if starter John Thomson continues to have problems with a shoulder injury. Thomson was acquired from the Atlanta Braves in the off season, but is currently on the 15-day disabled list for Toronto.
Another Blue Jay pitcher who is having problems and who also is on the 15-day disabled list is B. J. Ryan, with a sore back.
Whether McGowan moves up quickly or not is anyone’s guess. But most will agree before the season is over, he will be moved
McGowan, who in 2006 went back and fourth between the Chiefs and their major league affiliate the Toronto Blue Jays, started this season out with the Chiefs but hopes his stay there will be temporary.
In Thursday’s game, McGowan faced 20 batters, struck out 8, walked 2 and gave up 2 hits, allowing 1 unearned run. He threw 87 pitches and 55 of them were for strikes.
Toronto was allowed a fourth option year for the 24-year-old pitching prospect, due to him missing a majority of the 2004 season after undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery.
One thing that has changed for McGowan this year from last year is the club has reported they will focus on him as a starter. During the last two years, Toronto has worked with him as both a starter and as a reliever.
McGowan may be back on the Blue Jay mound sooner than anyone expected if starter John Thomson continues to have problems with a shoulder injury. Thomson was acquired from the Atlanta Braves in the off season, but is currently on the 15-day disabled list for Toronto.
Another Blue Jay pitcher who is having problems and who also is on the 15-day disabled list is B. J. Ryan, with a sore back.
Whether McGowan moves up quickly or not is anyone’s guess. But most will agree before the season is over, he will be moved