[ MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ]
Williams gets another
chance with GiantsThe Waipahu alum is
called up and pitches today
in his second major league start
Jerome Williams struggled in his first major league start back on April 26.
The 21-year-old right hander will get another chance tonight with the San Francisco Giants.
Williams, a Waipahu High School graduate, was called up from Triple-A Fresno yesterday to replace another rookie, Kurt Ainsworth.
Ainsworth has a strained muscle in the back of his pitching shoulder and was placed on the 15-day disabled list yesterday.
Williams (0-1) replaces Ainsworth tonight as the Giants host the Minnesota Twins. Brad Radke (5-5) will start for the Twins.
Williams sat in the Fresno clubhouse yesterday after hearing the news, anxiously shaking his right leg.
"I've just got to go out there and pitch," he said. "I can't worry about this being my first time -- I can't use that excuse again. It's going to be a new thing again. ... (My leg) is a sign I'm nervous again."
Williams will likely get at least one more start after tonight.
Williams was 4-2 with a 2.68 ERA in 10 starts at Triple-A Fresno. He is 0-1 with an 11.25 ERA, losing in his major league debut at Philadelphia on April 26.
In his start against the Phillies, Williams gave up five hits and five runs in four innings. He walked five and struck out three, throwing 86 pitches. He was also 0-for-1 at the plate.
Williams struck out Pat Burrell for his first major league strikeout, and actually retired the first seven batters before getting into trouble.
He was sent back down to Fresno after the game, but correctly predicted he'd be back in the majors this season.
Williams also got a nod of support from catcher Benito Santiago.
"He showed me he has very good control," Santiago said after the game. "He's going to be fine. The kid showed me the first three innings that he can do it. The first day you tend to be nervous, but he was hitting my target pretty good."
To make room for Williams, San Francisco placed outfielder Ruben Rivera on waivers for the purpose of his unconditional release.
Ainsworth (5-4, 3.82 ERA) had a career-high eight strikeouts and pitched into the seventh inning in a 6-2 win over Colorado on Friday night.
The Giants originally said they would not place Ainsworth on the disabled list because, with an off day next Monday, they won't need their fourth starter again until June 13.
"We're going to be cautious," manager Felipe Alou said. "We keep a good eye when young guys are pitching. For the most part, we take guys out early to be safe."
