Seattle promotes Harrison, Scheffer, Smith to Orlando

After Friday's 7-3 loss to Modesto, Adonis Harrison, Aaron Scheffer and Cam Smith were promoted to Orlando.

But he got some news after the game that helped him put the loss behind him.

Scheffer was one of three JetHawks that were informed after the game that they were being promoted to Class AA Orlando. Joining Scheffer for the trip to Florida will be second baseman Adonis Harrison and relief pitcher Cam Smith.

"I never like to lose, but I'll take that trade every time," Scheffer said with a grin.

Harrison and Smith shared that same smile in the JetHawks' clubhouse following the game.

"I'm so excited to go up," Harrison said. "I hope to have a lot of fun there, just like I did here."

Harrison will be replaced on the Lancaster roster by former JetHawks second baseman Chris Dean, who moves down after struggling offensively at Orlando. The replacements for Scheffer and Smith were not released by press time.

Although Friday didn't turn out the way he would have wanted, Scheffer left the JetHawks with a 2-2 record, 10 saves and a 3.14 ERA. He struck out 65 in 43 innings. He also spent all of 1997 in Lancaster, going 11-3 with four saves and a 5.44 ERA.

"Scheffer's definitely a guy who's earned a shot at Double A," JetHawks manager Rick Burleson said. "He's pitched well here the last year and a half."

Although Harrison hasn't spent as much time in Lancaster as Scheffer, he has shown he deserves his promotion to Orlando. The 5foot-9, 165-pounder from Pasadena has been steady both on defense and as a leadoff hitter for the JetHawks' offense.

He entered Friday's game hitting .339 with 63 runs scored, 35 RBI, 21 doubles and 24 stolen bases.

"Adonis definitely has shown that he deserves to be playing at Double A," Burleson said. "I would have liked to have had a year with him to help mold him, but I'm happy for him."

Smith returns to the team with which he started the season. He joined Lancaster on May 26 after spending a month on the Orlando disabled list. While on the DL, Smith was taught a new arm slot, changing his pitching style.

"It was an experiment, really," Smith said. "We still have a long ways to go, but this is definitely a big step for me. I gained a lot of confidence while I was here. I think that's the biggest thing I'll take with me."

Smith said he expects to pitch in today's game against Bakersfield. He enters the game with a 1-1 record and a 2.25 ERA.

Before he leaves, Smith wants to help the JetHawks end a losing streak that reached two games Friday night.

Lancaster fell behind Modesto early Friday, as Tim Manwiller held the hosts' offense to only one hit and two walks in the first five innings.

Meanwhile, JetHawks starter Brian Fuentes struggled with his control, allowing nine walks and three hits in four-plus innings. Even with all those base runners, the A's scored just two runs off Fuentes.

They added an unearned run off Kevin Gryboski in the fifth, but left the door open for the Lancaster offense - if it could ever get going.

It finally did in the sixth with two runs, before Karl Thompson drove in Jayson Bass in the seventh with a two-out single going the other way, which tied the game 3-3.

"I was looking for something to pull, but I got something inside and was just lucky to slide it through the hole on the right side," Thompson said.

But not even Thompson could dig the JetHawks out of a four-run hole in the ninth. Jose Castro drove in two runs with a double down the right-field line, and Modesto tacked on two insurance runs for the win.