Put in a Tough Spot, Reliever Cliburn Goes the Extra Distance

Stewart Cliburn, who was nowhere to be found in the Angels’ initial plans for the 1988 season, found himself in a difficult situation Saturday night.

Cliburn, a right-handed relief pitcher, was pressed into service when starter Chuck Finley surrendered three first-inning runs to the Cleveland Indians and had to leave after one inning because of a stomach virus.

Although the Angels tied the game in their half of the first, Cliburn was in a tight spot.

He responded by going six strong innings, his longest major league outing, keeping the Indians at bay in a game the Angels eventually won, 5-4.

Cliburn (4-0) played a key role, allowing six hits and one run for the victory.

“Finley had the flu,” said Angel Manager Cookie Rojas. “I didn’t know he was in that bad shape. He was white when he came in the dugout (after the first inning).

“Cliburn came in and did one hell of a job.”

Not bad for a guy who began the season as a nonroster player. The Angels signed Cliburn as a free agent with the intention of having him play in Edmonton, the team’s triple-A farm club, where he had spent the past two seasons.

He was a long shot to make the team, but he pitched well in spring training, made the opening-day roster and has been in Anaheim ever since.

Last season was almost a washout for Cliburn. He was 1-0 with a 2.30 earned-run average, but he pitched only 15 innings in 16 games because of muscle strains in his pitching arm.

His performance Saturday brought back memories of his rookie season in 1985. He was 9-3 with a 2.09 ERA, appearing in 44 games with the Angels.

Cliburn was primarily the set-up man for Donnie Moore, the Angels’ stopper that season with 31 saves and a 1.92 ERA.

This season, Cliburn is a middle reliever.

“I’m Chuck’s roommate,” Cliburn said. “I knew he was sick. He got a phone call this morning and I went to get him and he didn’t look too good. He went out and gave his best effort. I knew that if he didn’t feel well I’d be the first one called.

“My job is to come into a game whether we’re behind or ahead. It’s challenging, but I’m happy with it. There won’t be that many save or win opportunities, but I’m 4-0.”

Cliburn’s fine performance didn’t escape the notice of his teammates, notably Brian Downing, who immediately thought of Cliburn’s ’85 season.

“That’s what he did for us a few years ago,” said Downing, whose single in the seventh knocked in Devon White with the game-winning run. “Tremendous.”

Cliburn said he had a little trouble in the first few innings because of a sore rib muscle he had injured a few weeks ago in Cleveland.

“I felt a little rusty,” he said. “I think I’m still battling through that. It takes me a little time to get it loose.”

If it bothered him it didn’t show.

Cliburn escaped the second inning--his first on the mound--with only a one-out single by Julio Franco, the Indians’ second baseman.

The Indians got to him in the third. Cory Snyder doubled home Ron Kittle, who had reached on a leadoff single.

But after that Cliburn breezed through the seventh before Greg Minton came in to pitch the final two innings.

“I was hoping he could go that far,” Rojas said. “I was thinking if he can get me into the fifth inning, I should be in good shape. He went (until the) seventh, which was great.”