Bellingham Does It With More Than Arms

Bellingham, which continues to closely pursue leader Everett, could conceivably win its fourth North Division title in the past five years.

These Giants, however, are unlike the division-winning Giants of 1995.

When Bellingham won the Northwest League’s North by six games last year, its pitching led the way. Guided by Post Falls native Darin Blood (6-3, 2.54 earned-run average), the Giants posted the league’s best ERA.

Pitching still rules this year, with a league-best 3.36 ERA at the halfway point. What’s different is the Giants’ hitting. Instead of an adequate .239 - sixth-best in the league - Bellingham is No. 3 at .253.

“I like this hitting club better than last year’s,” said Gene Clines, the parent club San Francisco Giants’ coordinator of minor-league hitting.

Clines, who recently spent four days helping Bellingham’s hitters, received some of the credit for the turnaround.

“He tells us stuff we should know, but probably need to hear again,” said Giants infielder Mike Glendenning, who responded to Clines’ advice July 14 with a three-run homer and RBI single.

Clines hit .277 during a 10-year career, most notably with Pirates. He was a member of the 1971 World Series champion Pirates, who beat Baltimore 4 games to 3.

Hackman Zachmann

Everett first baseman Rob Zachmann has punished Spokane Indians pitching this year, clubbing five homers in 10 games.

As harshly as he’s treated Spokane, however, Zachmann has been tougher still on Portland.

The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder hit two homers against the Rockies July 12, followed up with two more the next night, then added another July 14.

Zachmann leads the league with 17 homers. At this pace, he’ll shatter the NWL short-season record of 25 set in 1980 by Central Oregon’s William Darkis.

Surrounded by winners

Portland’s catchers hang out with the rich and/or famous.

Blake Anderson learned to switch-hit from his father Donny, a Pro Bowl running back with the Green Bay Packers (1966-71).

Backstop teammate Gilvert Vidal plays winter ball in Puerto Rico with Baltimore second baseman Roberto Alomar, Boston shortstop Jose Valentin and Chicago White Sox pitcher Roberto Hernandez.

One bright moment

The NWL’s worst team, the Southern Oregon Timberjacks, managed a shining moment July 13.

Second baseman David Slemmer, with 10 assists, came within one of the league record set by Eugene’s Charles Hiller 37 years ago.

Slemmer won’t approach any other NWL records. Parent club Oakland Thursday promoted Slemmer to Class A Modesto of the California League.

Throbbin’ Cuban

Bellingham is 6-0 when left-hander Alberto Castillo starts, but all is not well with the Cuban defector.

Shoulder stiffness has cut short three of Castillo’s starts, including a one-inning outing two weeks ago.

, DataTimes