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Even Eaton can't help Storm

By: GIDEON RUBIN - For The Californian | Wednesday, August 10, 2005 11:01 PM PDT ∞

LANCASTER ---- The idea came up during a casual conversation with trainers. Less than 24 hours later, Padres pitcher Adam Eaton was navigating his way through about 200 miles of freeway traffic to the Antelope Valley to make a rehab start for the Storm.

Eaton, who'd fallen off the radar since suffering a tendon injury on his right middle (pitching) finger in mid-June, was encouraged by his outing Wednesday night. He threw 42 pitches (26 for strikes), striking out two batters and allowing one hit and two walks in three innings of shutout ball.

Even his big league presence, however, couldn't help the Storm, who lost their 10th straight game, 5-1, to the Lancaster JetHawks in front of 1,116 at Clear Channel Stadium.

Lake Elsinore (18-26, 59-54 overall) has lost 13 of its last 14. The Storm is 0-6 at Lancaster and 3-12 against the JetHawks overall.

"I felt a little uncomfortable on the mound, but I felt my mechanics were OK," Eaton said. "I was able to keep the ball down. That was one of the things I wanted to focus on, throwing quality pitches and keeping the ball down in the zone. I only had a couple of balls right up in the zone and a couple of them were 'chasers.'"

Eaton, who was on a three inning-or-45-pitch limit, was originally slated to make his first rehab start Monday with Triple-A Portland. He's now ahead of schedule, and will be on a 60-pitch leash when he makes what will be his first of at least two starts for Portland next Monday.

"I was able to come down here and at least get three innings and get a little jump start as opposed to getting three innings or 45 pitches on Monday," Eaton said. "Now we're a whole start ahead."

Just as important, Eaton was able to throw a curveball ---- the pitch he's had problems with since suffering the injury ---- during warm-ups. He'll throw a few more during a side outing Friday. He hopes to use it as necessary in his Aug. 20 start with Portland.

"It's definitely nice to have that in my arsenal because it's a very big pitch for me," Eaton said.

Fellow rehabbing Padres pitcher Rudy Seanez (right shoulder tendonitis) was less effective. Seanez (0-1), who relieved Eaton in the fourth, allowed four runs on three hits including two homers and one walk.