Fullmer Feeling Grand in Toronto

Brad Fullmer didn’t escape Canada, but he did get out of the National League.

And that means he can concentrate on what he does best--hit.

Fullmer is flourishing as the Toronto Blue Jays’ designated hitter. He is batting .360 with four home runs in 50 at-bats, including two homers against the Angels last week.

The former Montclair Prep star hit his second career grand slam Monday to key Toronto’s 7-1 victory and had a two-run blast on Wednesday in a 12-4 victory.

“I’m making my living as a hitter,” Fullmer said. “I’m not saying I want to be a designated hitter for the rest of my career at only 25 years old, but I don’t have any problem with it and I’m enjoying it right now.”

So is Manager Jim Fregosi. Last season, three of Blue Jays--Dave Hollins, Willie Greene and David Segui--platooned at designated hitter and put up the worst numbers in the major leagues: .245 with 16 home runs and 51 runs batted in.

“Brad should add a consistent left-handed bat to our lineup,” Fregosi said after Fullmer was acquired in a three-way trade that involved the Texas Rangers. “He’s got an impressive approach to hitting.”

Fullmer rose through the minor league ranks with the Montreal Expos, who took him in the second round of the 1993 draft. He broke into the big leagues late in the 1997 season and won the first-base job the following spring.

Although he batted .273 with 44 doubles and 13 home runs in ‘98, Fullmer made 17 errors and developed a reputation as a defensive liability. When he slumped at the plate early last season, he was sent to triple-A and wasn’t recalled until the all-star break.

Fullmer’s batting stroke returned. He hit .277 with nine homers and 34 doubles in 347 at-bats with the Expos, which hiked his trade value.

Toronto is pleased with the results. Batting fifth in the lineup, Fullmer has driven in 18 runs and is batting .556 with runners in scoring position.

*

Mark Loretta (St. Francis High) has been the Milwaukee Brewers’ most consistent hitter for several years.

Except in April.

Loretta’s career batting average in April is .238, more than 50 points lower than his overall mark of .294.

One reason might be the cold weather at County Stadium. The game-time temperature at the home opener April 9 was 34 degrees, the third-coldest in the team’s 31 years.

“I don’t think you ever get used to [the cold weather],” Loretta said. “It’s tough on the hands. It’s tough to grip the bat. I think the pitchers have the advantage when it’s cold like that.”

Loretta has heated up in the last week and is batting .269. In the last three seasons, he batted .290, .316 and .287 while playing first base, second base, third base and shortstop. This season he is the Brewers’ every-day shortstop.

*

Short hops: Brewers’ right-hander John Snyder (Westlake) should come off the disabled list any day. Snyder, acquired in an off-season trade with the Chicago White Sox, was placed on the 15-day disabled list on March 28 due to a strained rib cage and abdominal muscle. Snyder was 16-14 the last two seasons. . . . After hitting home runs in his first two at-bats with the Texas Rangers, Gabe Kapler (Taft, Moorpark College) did not hit another homer until belting one against Orlando Hernandez of the New York Yankees on Tuesday. . . . Catcher Bobby Hughes (Notre Dame) had his contract purchased by the Cleveland Indians on Friday. He began the season at triple-A Buffalo.