Friday, May 6, 2011

SWEENEY, DI FELICE, O'CONNOR AND UNGS GIVE PITCHING LOTS OF ATTENTION

Brian Sweeney's stop-overs are getting a tiny bit longer in the Atlantic League.

The Seattle Mariners signed the veteran right-hander before Somerset even started the season one year ago. Sweeney had only worked in an exhibition game.

A free agent again during the offseason despite a decent 3.16 earned run average (1-2record) in 24 relief appearances for the M's last season (and an earlier 15 games for Triple-A Tacoma), Sweeney returned to Somerset.

He was the opening day starter for Sparky Lyle's crew, picking up the Patriots' only victory in five outings this year. The four-hit, eight-strikeout effort (no walks) over seven innings in which the 36-year-old only allowed two runs were enough for the New York Mets to step in. They bought his contract and are sending Sweeney to Triple-A Buffalo, but that, too, could be a brief stay on the way to Citi Field where the parent Mets could use some help.

MARK DI FELICE FINALLY ALLOWS A RUN

If former Camden and Somerset hurler Mark DiFelice can maintain the pace a little longer, it seems likely he will join Mike O'Connor in returning to the major leagues.

DiFelice finally allowed a run Wednesday, but the Nashville reliever (Brewers) still has a 1.13 ERA for his first seven appearances of 2011 with a win and a save on his log. DiFelice, 34, has been stingy in every manner, allowing only five hits and two walks in his eight innings spread over seven appearances. He also has 11 strikeouts.

The New York Mets brought the southpaw O'Connor, who spent some time at Southern Maryland in 2009, up from Triple-A Buffalo this week.

MUTUAL ADMIRATION SOCIETY

First time Atlantic Leaguer Nic Ungs, who has been pitching professionally since Florida drafted him in 2001, obviously likes his choice of Somerset to continue his comeback from elbow surgery.

"This is a great league because it's so heavily scouted by big league teams, and you're playing with and against guys who have a lot of big league and Triple-A experience," the right-hander from Dyersville, IA told The Dubuque Herald.

Those comments came prior to his first regular-season start in which he got a no-decision, but allowed only five hits and two runs in five innings against defending champion and unbeaten York. Ung has yet to make it to the major leagues, but the 31-year-old went into this season with a 71-56 minor league record.

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