July 9, 2006 - Reliever Barry impresses - By DAVID O'BRIEN (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
BRAVES REPORT
Reliever Barry impresses
By DAVID O'BRIEN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/09/06
He earned his degree in business administration from Rider University, but Kevin Barry might be able to put on hold plans for a second career in banking.
The Braves right-hander allowed one walk in four hitless innings Friday against Cincinnati, giving him nine scoreless innings in three relief appearances since arriving from Class AAA Richmond.
"Every time out there, the kid's getting outs," manager Bobby Cox said of Barry, 27, who has given up just two hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in nine innings against the Yankees, Cardinals and Reds.
A 14th-round draft pick in 2001, Barry spent 5 1/2 seasons in the minors before getting his first major league call-up on June 25.
He pitched three innings of two-hit ball at Yankee Stadium in his June 26 debut, was optioned to Richmond June 30 to open a spot for Chris Reitsma to come off the disabled list, then recalled July 2 when Reitsma returned to the DL.
This time around, Barry could stick with the Braves a lot longer. He's pitched six hitless innings with one walk in his last two games, and Cox said Saturday that he could be considered for a start.
"Absolutely," the manager said. "He started all year at Richmond."
Barry didn't want any part of speculating about his chances of starting.
"When my name's called, I just try to do the best I can," he said.
Used almost exclusively as a reliever until this season, the New Jersey native was moved to the Richmond rotation so he could work on off-speed pitches.
Barry was 3-4 with a 3.26 ERA in 15 games (12 starts) for Richmond, including 2-1 with a miniscule 0.30 ERA and .162 opponents' average in five May starts after settling into the role. He allowed one earned run in 30 innings in May.
