Matire Franco had watched Brett Myers, Ryan Madson and Frankie Brooks go the mound and win and win and win and he wanted to join the club.

Sunday afternoon, in a 4-0 win over the Greensboro Bats, both were initiated.

Franco, a 19-year old right-hander from the Domincan Republic, tossed his second complete game victory of the season, giving up just five hits. Much of the thanks for his fifth win in eight decisions goes to Padilla, the popular right-fielder. He boomed a three-run homer, went 3-for-4 and scored two runs.

Padilla was still helping Franco out after the game, serving as his interpreter. Franco cannot speak English.

“He’ says he feels real good,” translated Padilla. “He’s proud of himself.”

Padilla then spoke for himself.

“It’s the best I’ve ever seen him pitch. He was tough out there. I’m proud of him.”

Franco was coming off a terrible showing in his last outing, lasting just two innings in a 9-3 loss to Columbus.

“He threw real well in the bullpen before that one,” said pitching coach Rod Nichols,“and he got hammered. Today, he had good stuff while warming up and I’m like, ‘Oh no’. But he took it with him between the lines.”

How good was his stuff? Greensboro never threatened.

Manager Greg Legg said Franco learned from his disastrous start against Columbus.

“When I went out to get him, I said, ‘Next time. Next time, you’re going to get ‘em.’ In between starts, he worked his rear end off and bounced back today.”

So has Piedmont. Sunday’s win was the team’s fourth straight and the 59-30 Weevils upped their second-half, Northern Division lead to two games over Hickory, standing 12-6.

“We’re out of it,” Padilla smiled about last week’s slump.

Padilla doesn’t know the meaning of the word. He has been the hottest Weevil over the last month.

“All the work he has done with Jerry (Martin, the hitting instructor) has paid off,” said Legg.

Actually, the only run Franco needed came in the fourth. Padilla started things with a single and went all the way to third when Brian Hitchcox’s sharp liner up the middle was misplayed for an error. Aaron Merhoff, an outfielder, playing his initial game at first base, sent a long fly ball to right for a sacrifice fly.

Padilla then nailed down the win in the fifth. After Jay Sitzman singled and designated hitter Espy walked, he powered his sixth home run over the left-field fence.

“I’m kinda behind those guys,” he chuckled of Espy, Byrd and Jacobson, who have combined for 49 homers. It’s like they homer every day.”

Franco did the rest.

“When he’s on, he’s going to be tough,” Legg said, “because his ball moves so much.” He always seems to have a second gear and when he gets the lead late in the game, he can finish.”

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