Kevin Barry update (Aug. 2005)

Rider alumnus Kevin Barry is making what is likely his final minor league start of the year today at Durham, as Kevin's Triple-A Richmond Braves take on the Bulls in International League action.

Kevin entered the contest with a 4-3 record and a 3.09 ERA in 30 games, including six starts, for the R-Braves. He gave up a two-run homer to Durham's Josh Phelps in the bottom of the second inning today, but settled down and went on to strike out all three batters he faced in the bottom of the fourth.

POST-GAME UPDATE...
Kevin wound up earning the victory in Richmond's 4-3 win over Durham by tossing six solid innings, allowing just the two runs on only two hits while striking out six and walking four. Should that be his final minor league appearance this season, he will finish 5-3 with a 3.08 ERA, 69 strikeouts and 41 walks allowed in 31 games (seven starts) for Richmond. Not bad at all when you consider he struggled as a reliever for most of the season and had an ERA hovering near 5.00 well into the summer. But after a brief trip back down to Double-A ball, Kevin came back to Richmond as a starter and was almost unhittable. In fact, he was so good in his first two outings as a starter, Kevin earned IL Pitcher of the Week honors for Aug. 8-14.

Hopefully, today's outing won't mark Kevin's last one of the year, though. If there is any justice, Kevin will get rewarded for his recent run of success as a starter at Richmond with a call-up to "The Show" when Major League rosters expand Sept. 1.

The Phillies have four home games with Atlanta Sept. 12-15 and I would like to see Kevin in the Braves' bullpen at Citizens Bank Park...as long as he doesn't help them win the division again.