Published May 16, 2004
Lugs lose starter to Double-A
Marshall walked only 4 all season

Left-handed pitcher Sean Marshall got off to an incredible start in his second professional season and the Cubs noticed.

Marshall, one of the top pitching prospects in the Chicago Cubs organization, was promoted from Lansing to Double-A West Tennessee of the Southern League on Friday.

"I was pretty shocked," said Marshall, who skipped high Class A in Daytona, Fla. "Julio (Garcia) told me the news, and I got real excited."

Marshall, 21, was 2-0 with a 1.11 ERA in seven starts with the Lugnuts.

"His control has been impeccable and way above where we thought he'd be at this point," said Oneri Fleita, Cubs director of player development.

Marshall struck out a team-high 51 batters and walked just four through 48 2/3 innings.

"I felt like I started off really well," Marshall said. "I developed my fastball right away and had great command with it.

"The rest of my pitches have been getting better, and I felt like I had my best game during my last outing in Lansing."

Marshall pitched Lansing's first complete game of the season in his last appearance. He allowed two hits and struck out nine in a shutout victory at Burlington on Tuesday.

"I really had it all going," Marshall said. "Hopefully, I can take what I did in my last game there and continue it."

Marshall knows he's going to see a big jump in terms of competition, but doesn't think he'll have to make many changes in his game.

"Frankly, when I put a guy in Double-A, I don't think he's going to need many adjustments," Fleita said. "The biggest thing is how he will respond mentally and do what he was doing against better competition. That will be interesting to see."

Marshall will make his first appearance with the Diamond Jaxx at Montgomery, Ala.

COMING HOME: Lansing returns from an eight-game road trip, its longest of the season, on Thursday for a four-game series with the Fort Wayne Wizards, a San Diego Padres affiliate.

The West Michigan Whitecaps, a Detroit Tigers farm team will play four games in Lansing starting May 24.

In addition to the regular Thirsty Thursday promotion, the homestand opener will also mark the second bobblehead giveaway commemorating the Lugnuts 2003 Midwest League championship.

The first 2,500 fans through the gates will recieve an Andy Sisco bobblehead.

The second of 15 LAFCU fireworks shows will take place after Saturday's game.

STREAKING: Several Lugnut players had streaks going into Saturday's game at Clinton.

Outfielder Chris Walker reached base in 19 consecutive games. He also leads the league with 20 stolen bases.

• Relief pitcher Clay Rapada hasn't allowed a run in nine straight appearances. He is 1-1 with a 1.76 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 15.1 innings this season.

   

• Outfielder Carlos Mejia has driven in a run in all eight games that he's played in since being promoted on April 30.