TEXAS LEAGUE

Move could be start of something big for Brady

Michael Brady was an infielder at the University of California and a catcher for a short time in the Miami Marlins organization.

The seventh-year pro began another transition Tuesday at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock.

Brady, 28, struck out six over three perfect innings in his first start of the season as the Arkansas Travelers beat the San Antonio Missions 1-0 in front of an announced crowd of 3,228.

The Travs scored their only run in the fourth inning when Kentrail Davis singled to right field and scored on Raywilly Gomez' single up the middle as Arkansas won its fourth consecutive victory, but the biggest development came on the mound.

It was just Brady's fourth start in 233 career appearances, but sparked by Brady's ability to throw four pitches for strikes and an influx of minor-league relievers, Arkansas Manager Bill Richardson said the Los Angels Angels want to explore Brady's potential in the rotation.

"If I could throw like I did today, I would like to be a starter," Brady said. "But, no, I don't have a preference. I'll do what they ask of me and try to do my best. You've just got to be ready to tackle any problem they throw at you."

Richardson didn't expect anything less from Brady. Brady had compiled a 2.84 ERA in 13 relief appearances before Tuesday's start, but Richardson approached Brady after Monday's doubleheader sweep of the Springfield Cardinals to inform him of the experiment.

Arkansas' first-year manager said the decision came from "up above," meaning at the request of the Angels, the Travs' parent club. He said he wasn't sure how long it would last, other than to say "he'll be in there for awhile."

"He's got a four-pitch mix, and you saw how the fastball was coming out," Richardson said. "I think they see value there, and I think tonight substantiated that."

Brady threw a fastball, cutter, curveball and change-up for strikes while striking out two batters in all three innings. Despite three perfect innings, Brady wasn't allowed to return for the fourth inning considering his 39 pitches -- 3o were strikes -- was his second-highest total this season.

"I'm glad they took it easy on me," Brady said. "If they're going to continue to do this, that's the right way to do this. So I appreciate what the coaches are doing for me and not killing me the first time."

Brady said the sudden change in routine wasn't too much of an adjustment. He's made plenty of them through his career.

A third baseman and shortstop at Cal, Brady was picked in the 24th round of the 2009 draft by the Marlins. He spent his first two seasons in the minors playing second base, then third base and for a time was tried out behind the plate.

"That didn't work out so well," he said.

Then he was moved to the bullpen in 2010 and recorded 66 saves over five seasons at various levels. He was designated for assignment by the Marlins last season and picked up by the Angels, who stuck him in their bullpen at Arkansas and Class AAA Salt Lake last season. That's where he stayed until Tuesday night.

"That's the biggest adjustment you're going to make as a pitcher," Brady said of moving from the bullpen to the rotation. "But I think for the most part you've got to throw strikes. ... If this were to be permanent, I would be fine with it."

HOOKS 4, NATURALS 1

Northwest Arkansas was held to four hits in a loss to Corpus Christi at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale.

Hooks starter Vincent Velasquez (2-0) scattered 3 hits and struck out 8 in 5 innings. Michael Feliz earned his first save after giving up one hit over four innings. Corpus Christi took a 1-0 lead in the sixth inning when Teoscar Hernandez came home on a fielding error. Tony Kemp scored on Aplin’s ground ball double play to make it 2-0.

The Naturals cut the lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth on Raul Mondesi’s home run to center field, his third home run of the season, but Corpus Christi added two runs in the top of the ninth.

Sports on 05/27/2015

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