al notebook
Cust Breaks Through in a Powerful Way for A's
Jack Cust was congratulated by Nick Swisher, left, after hitting a game-winning, three-run homer on Sunday against the Indians.
(By Sara Wolfram -- Getty Images)
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
Jack Cust had the reputation of a power hitter for almost a decade, but 199 of his 204 professional home runs came in the minors before he homered in his debut for the Athletics on May 6.
The 6-foot-1, 231-pound Cust, a left-handed batter, hit two more Thursday against the Royals and then one in each game of a three-game series against the Indians, including a game-ending three-run blast on Sunday that gave him six homers in his first seven games and 26 at-bats with Oakland. That's one more than he had hit in his first 70 major league games with four other teams.
"I first heard of Jack Cust in the Arizona Fall League like in 1999," Athletics OF Milton Bradley said of the former first-round pick of the Diamondbacks. "Everything I heard about him was that he just hits bombs. When I heard we picked him up, and I thought, 'This is going to pay off.' He comes up and he's just stroking the ball."
Oakland acquired him this month from the Padres for a player to be named or cash, and he's playing because DH Mike Piazza is injured. Cust is off to the best power start of any player in Oakland history. Don Mincher was the previous fastest player to six homers in Oakland, doing it in 47 at-bats in 1970.
"I'm just lucky that I got the opportunity and that I'm hitting the ball well," said Cust, 28. "I'm just happy to ride it out as long as I can."
· MILLWOOD MISHAP: Rangers RHP Kevin Millwood's first start since coming off the disabled list was short and frustrating, as he lasted just five outs before leaving after reaggravating his strained left hamstring.
Millwood, pitching for the first time since April 28, allowed four runs and three hits with three walks, including a grand slam to the Angels' Casey Kotchman.
Manager Ron Washington was not sure about when Millwood would pitch again.
"Hamstrings are tough, and he uses his legs so much that we need his legs healthy," Washington said.
· CLEMENS WORKS OUT: RHP Roger Clemens made 47 throws during a seven-minute session in the outfield during his first workout at the Yankees' minor league complex in Tampa.
Clemens is scheduled for a bullpen session today and barring any problems, he will make his first minor league start Friday night.
-- From News Services
