With PCL batting title on way, Myrow glad to get promotion

By: JOHN MAFFEI - Staff Writer | Sunday, September 2, 2007 11:15 PM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO -- Brian Myrow turns 31 on Tuesday, and he'll celebrate in a big-league uniform.

He will also officially be crowned the Pacific Coast League batting champion.

"Winning the batting title will probably mean more to me down the road," said Myrow, a left-handed hitting first baseman who had his contract purchased by the Padres from Triple-A Portland on Saturday.

"Quite honestly, if I had been called up a month earlier and lost the batting title, I would have preferred that."

Myrow finished the PCL season hitting .354, a point ahead of Iowa's Geovany Soto. Soto was called to the big leagues by the Cubs, so the only thing standing in the way of Myrow and the batting title is the end of the PCL season today.

Myrow's baseball journey has been a long one.

He played for Winnipeg of the independent Northern League for two seasons before signing with the Yankees. After five minor-league stops, the Yankees traded him to the Dodgers.

Finally, in 2005 he got the call to the big leagues, playing 19 games for the Dodgers and hitting .200.

Last season was lost to injury, so this was a bounce-back season.

"This is a great opportunity to chip in any way I can," Myrow said. "And maybe I can answer the big question. 'Can this guy hit in the big leagues?' The only way to find out is to get the chance."

Myrow's path to playing time with the Padres is blocked by Adrian Gonzalez, and Myrow understands that.

"Adrian's the man here," Myrow said. "All I can do is play as well as I can when I get the opportunity. In doing so, hopefully, I can help the club and myself."

Hensley to get call

Padres manager Bud Black said pitcher Clay Hensley will be recalled from Portland on Tuesday.

That, however, could be the extent of the calls.

It isn't likely pitchers Tim Stauffer and Mike Thompson will be summoned. The same goes for outfielder Paul McAnulty.

Third baseman Chase Headley could get a call from Double-A San Antonio when the Texas League playoffs are over.

It's probable that catcher Pete Laforest will be re-signed if he clears waivers today.

Injury update

Black said second baseman Marcus Giles (left knee sprain) will be ready to come off the disabled list when he's eligible on Sept. 9.

Outfielder Scott Hairston (strained left oblique) "is coming along," according to Black, "but nothing is imminent."

Short hops

The Padres have not confirmed a starting pitcher for Wednesday's game in Arizona. Manager Bud Black, however, indicated rookie RHP Jack Cassel will get the start. ... With hits Sunday, Adrian Gonzalez and Khalil Greene both pushed their hitting streaks to six games. ... Dodgers reliever Roberto Hernandez pitched the ninth inning Sunday, his 1,005th major-league appearance. That ties him for 11th with Mike Jackson on the all-time games-pitched list. ... Neither team took batting practice prior to Sunday's game with Padres players arriving as late as 75 minutes prior to first pitch. ... This afternoon's game with the Arizona Diamondbacks will not be on TV.

-- Contact staff writer John Maffei at (760) 740-3547 or jmaffei@nctimes.com.