Fick’s Hit List Grows to 32 Games

Robert Fick’s hitting streak grew to 32 games when the first baseman for Class-A West Michigan drilled his ninth home run, a 420-foot shot to center field, in the fourth inning of Saturday’s game at Comstock Park, Mich.

Fick (Newbury Park, Ventura College, Cal State Northridge) finished the game with two hits in four at-bats. His streak is the longest in pro baseball this season and the longest in the minors since Brent Gates hit in 35 consecutive games for Modesto in 1992.

“I’m just basically doing the right things, staying short with my swing,” Fick said after Saturday’s game. “I’m not trying to do too much.”

He’s still doing plenty. Fick raised his average to .425, tops in the minors. He also leads minor league baseball with 23 doubles, 32 extra-base hits and an .833 slugging percentage.

It’s all quite an improvement from last summer, when Fick went directly from Northridge to Class-A Jamestown, N.Y., and hit .248.

“He’s been outstanding,” said Dave Miller, the Detroit Tigers’ director of player development. “This spring Toby Harrah [the Tigers’ roving minor league hitting instructor] worked with him quite a bit on his swing. Instead of upper-cutting, which he had done with a metal bat [in college], he is swinging more right through.”

Fick still has a long way to go to reach the 69-game streak Joe Wilhoit had for Wichita in 1919. That is the longest minor league hitting streak uncovered by Howe Sportsdata, baseball’s official statisticians, although minor league records are sketchy from early in the century.

With every game Fick’s streak grows, so does the media coverage. Even though he is in only in the minors, Fick said he had gotten plenty of attention from television stations and newspapers around Michigan.

“It’s pretty big league,” Fick said. “I’m just trying to have fun with it. I’m not thinking about any pressure. If it ends tomorrow, 32 games is something to be proud of.”

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Scanning Friday’s box scores: TRIPLE A--Outfielder Ryan Radmanovich (Pepperdine) hit his ninth home run for Salt Lake City. . . . Former JetHawk outfielder Jose Cruz Jr. hit his fourth home run for Tacoma, Wash. DOUBLE A--First baseman Kevin Millar (Hart) hit his 10th and 11th home runs, driving in three runs, for Portland, Maine. . . . Designated hitter J.P. Roberge (St. Francis) hit his third home run for San Antonio. CLASS A--Outfielder Greg Shockey (Northridge) had two hits, including a homer, and three RBIs for Rancho Cucamonga. . . . Former JetHawk right-hander John Daniels picked up a save for St. Petersburg, Fla.

JETHAWKS

Most pitchers would consider going from the starting rotation to middle relief a demotion, but not right-hander Aaron Scheffer.

Scheffer was so good out of the bullpen last season that the Seattle Mariners tried to make him a starter this year with the JetHawks. After three starts and a 6.57 earned-run average, that experiment was shelved.

Since Scheffer has gone back to the bullpen, he has pitched well. In his past four outings, Scheffer has pitched 8 1/3 innings and allowed two earned runs while striking out 13. He has picked up victories in three consecutive appearances.

“I don’t know what it is, but I just feel more relaxed out of the bullpen,” Scheffer said.

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Matt Apana, a right-hander who was in double A last season, has joined the JetHawks. Right-hander Lesli Brea was returned to extended spring training. . . . Today will be the JetHawks’ final day game at home this season. . . . There is an unusual convergence of Mariners minor-league brass in Lancaster this weekend. Roving instructors Roger Hansen (catching) and Ron Romanick (pitching) are in town, as well as Mike Goff, coordinator of minor league instruction.

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Today’s Game: Lake Elsinore (Stevenson Agosto, 2-1, 4.34) at JetHawks (Eric Morgan, 2-2, 4.78), 2:05 p.m.