Birmingham’s Brown to Miss Pitching Turn

Birmingham High’s playoff hopes received a blow Tuesday when the Braves learned that right-hander Josh Brown (11-2, 1.50 earned-run average) will be unable to pitch Friday against Sylmar in a first-round game of the City Section 4-A Division playoffs.

Brown strained a small muscle in his pitching shoulder and remains a question mark for next week should Birmingham win Friday.

“It hurts when he throws, it’s as simple as that,” Birmingham Coach Wayne Sink said.

Junior left-hander Jason Mansfield (5-4, 3.38) will pitch in Brown’s absence. Mansfield took the loss the only time he faced Sylmar. Brown defeated Sylmar on a two-hitter in his only appearance against the Spartans.

Mansfield has won four of his past five decisions, and his only loss in that stretch came against Monroe last week when he allowed three hits in a complete game. As a result, Sink remains upbeat.

“He’s done nothing but come on,” Sink said. “In all my years of coaching, I’ve always said that I’d trade five players for a good left-hander. And that’s what I have.”

Sylmar (16-9) likely will start junior right-hander James Encinas (6-4, 2.53) on Friday.