Based on his performance on Tuesday night, sometime reliever, sometime outfielder, sometime pinch-hitter, sometime DH Rob Riley may be a full time starting pitcher. Riley, in an emergency start thanks to Luis Valdez’ ongoing elbow problems, tossed five innings of three-hit, two-run ball.

“That’s the plan right now,” Defenders manager Brian Daubach said when asked if Riley would join the starting rotation. “For not being stretched out, to go five innings, was awesome. After the first inning, he only gave up one hit. Next time out, I hope he can do the same thing. I wish he’d do that every start, it would give him some confidence and he could come back next year.”

Riley said Daubach hinted on Monday night that he might be asked to start Tuesday’s game, but he didn’t find out for certain until he got to the park on Tuesday.

“You always have to be ready to go,” Riley said. “It just allows you (as a starter) to get in a little better rhythm, get prepared, you have a total focus that the game is yours and you have to go out there and perform. We’d been going through a rough stretch. I tried to go out, keep the guys in the ball game, and that’s what happened.”

Riley said he settled down and found that rhytym after the first inning. “It was just about slowing down and finding a nice little rhythm,” he said. “(Catcher Zane) Chavez did a great job behind the plate, we were on the same page the entire night. I didn’t have to get a different grip with any of the pitches. I had a grip, he called it, we were right there, and it all worked out.”

XXXXX

They’ll be a special post-game  Thursday night fireworks show tomorrow night (Aug. 6) thanks to the rainout last Friday….

Scheduled pitchers for Thursday are Defenders righty Alex Woodson (1-1, 4.34, another reliever turned starter) vs. Worcester RHP Jusef Frias (3-2, 5.96).

– TOM KING