Through the first two and a half months of the minor league baseball season, the biggest story has been the biggest surprise.

There are just not enough adjectives to describe the way that Round Rock Express right-hander Kirk Saarloos has pitched since he was shelled in his first career Double-A start. His numbers are enough to make scouts drool and the opposition shake their heads in bewilderment.

Since giving up nine runs in only four innings of work against El Paso on April 8, the 23-year-old Saarloos yielded just eight runs -- four earned -- in 79 1/3 innings of work.

A third-round selection of the Houston Astros in the 2001 draft, he recently had his string of 48 1/3 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run snapped versus Shreveport on June 11. Saarloss did managed to pick his 10th straight victory after allowing two runs -- one earned -- and five hits over eight innings against the Captains.

The streak of consecutive innings without allowing an earned run was the longest in the minors since Brian Smith of the Class A Hagerstown Suns had a stretch of 47 1/3 innings back in 1995. Joe Kennedy went 39 1/3 innings without allowing an earned from for Double-A Orlando and Triple-A Durham last season. Bowie's John Stephens owned the Double-A's longest single-season streak last year at 33 1/3 innings.

The last pitcher before Saarloos to record 10 straight wins in the Texas League was, ironically enough, Round Rock's Tim Redding, who achieved the feat a year ago.

If Saarloos wants his 11th straight win, it will have to come in the big leagues. With Shane Reynolds out for the season following back surgery, Saarloos was promoted to Houston and is scheduled to start Tuesday against Milwaukee. Saarloos was selected as a league All-Star in the Texas League, which showcases its top players on Monday night. But, he would have missed the game regardless of this week's events. Saarloos will be married on Sunday. Nothing like a honeymoon in Milwaukee!

Still scoreless ... in the minors
Double-A Mobile BayBears right-hander J.J. Trujillo extended his streak of consecutive scoreless innings to 25 2/3 after a 2-1 victory over Orlando on June 9.

Trujillo struck out the side in the ninth inning as he collected his Southern League-leading 20th save of the season. The 26-year-old, who had converted his last 12 save opportunities, yielded just 12 hits, nine walks and fanned 28 batters over that streak. He was 2-0 and a 0.46 ERA in 30 appearances this season, striking out 48 batters over 39 frames.

Trujillo was promoted to San Diego on June 11 and made his major-league debut that night against the Baltimore Orioles.

The first batter that he ever faced in the big leagues was Baltimore's Tony Batista in the bottom of the 10th inning. Trujillo threw a 2-2 slider and the ball landed somewhere near the Inner Harbor, giving the Orioles a 6-5 win.

In 39 innings of work in the minor leagues this season, Trujillo served up just one home run (a two-run blast) back on April 29 against Carolina, the only two runs he had allowed all year. During his minor league career, Trujillo allowed just six home runs.

Tough beginning
While the big league ball club in Boston owns the best record in the majors at 42-21, the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox have stumbled to the third-worst record in the International League and have run into problems scoring runs as of late.

Pawtucket is 25-43, owns the league's worst batting average at .246 and has scored the fewest runs in the league at an average of just 3.7 per game.

Over their last nine games, the Red Sox have scored just 17 runs. At one point, they went 35 innings June 4-8 without scoring a run. After scoring two runs in the second inning of a 4-2 loss at Indianapolis on June 4, Pawtucket opened a four-game series with the Bats at Louisville's Slugger Field two days later and did not score a run in three straight games.

Pawtucket finally got a runner to cross the plate when outfielder Michael Coleman led off the second inning with a home run on June 9. The Red Sox lost that game, 6-4.

Returning to McCoy field helped the scoring a bit, as Pawtucket put up five runs on June 10 in an 8-5 loss to Richmond. The Red Sox beat the Braves the following night, 5-3, and then were held to just one run in a 3-1 loss on June 12.

Not even the addition of rehabbing big leaguer Manny Ramirez could solve Pawtucket's problems. Ramirez, who is in Triple-A rehabbing a fractured left index finger, went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts as the Red Sox suffered a 5-0 loss to Richmond in the final game of the series on June 13.

Ramirez and company host Syracuse beginning on Friday, June 14. The SkyChiefs have hit 79 home runs this season, the most in the International League, and scored 341 runs this season, the third-most league in the circuit.

Minor-league highlights
Carolina (Double-A Southern League) outfielder Rene Reyes hit for his first career cycle, going 4-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored to help the Mudcats defeat Greenville, 6-2, on June 10. Reyes drilled a two-run shot in the second inning, tripled in the fourth, singled in the seventh and lined an RBI double in the eighth to become the first player in the league to hit for the cycle this season.

Lake Elsinore (Class A California League) third baseman Danny Bravo recorded a cycle, going 4-for-4 with three RBI and four runs scored in a 16-6 win at Modesto on June 9. The 25-year-old connected on a two-run homer in the third. He then ripped a run-scoring double in the fourth, singled and scored in the sixth and tripled and scored in the eighth to notch the fifth cycle in the National Association this season.

Lynchburg (Class A Carolina League) first baseman Ray Navarrete finished 6-for-7 with a pair of doubles, a home run and a career-high seven RBI in the Hillcats' 24-0 victory at Salem on June 9. The last league player to stroke six hits in a game was Justin Martin, also of Lynchburg, against Winston-Salem on May 19, 2001.

Minor-league leaders
(Through June 13)

AVERAGE (Minimum 150 TPA): Chad Tracy, El Paso, .388; ON BASE PERCENTAGE: Mike Campo, Rancho Cucamonga, .481; SLUGGING PERCENTAGE: Corey Hart, High Desert, .668; HITS: Chad Tracy, El Paso, 100; HOME RUNS: Josh Phelps, Syracuse, 20; RBI: Brad Nelson, Beloit, 71; STOLEN BASES: Wayne Lydon, Columbus, 41; DOUBLES: Jeff Mathis, Cedar Rapids and Miguel Cabrera, Jupiter, 26; TRIPLES: Chone Figgins, Salt Lake, 10; RUNS: Tony Miller, Asheville, 59; WALKS: Graham Koonce, Midland, 60; STRIKEOUTS: Jorge Soto, Visalia, 98; ERRORS: Scott Youngbauer, Clearwater, 28.

BEST ERA (50 IP): Ray Aguilar, Myrtle Beach, 0.88; WORST ERA (50 IP): Justin Gordon, High Desert, 9.41; WINS: John Koronka, Chattanooga, 12; LOSSES: Juan Pena, Pawtucket, Yoel Hernandez, Clearwater and Claudio Vargas, Calgary, 10; SAVES: Evan Rust, Bakersfield, 22; COMPLETE GAMES: Several tied with 3; GAMES: Brian Bowles, Syracuse, 35; INNINGS PITCHED: Shawn Sedlacek, Omaha, 98.2; STRIKEOUTS: Rich Harden, Midland, 102.

BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE/CLUB: Akron (Indians), .712 (47-19); Stockton (Reds), (.706) 48-20; Lynchburg (Pirates), .704 (45-22); Wilmington (Royals), .657 (44-23).

BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE/ORGANIZATION: Houston Astros (.596); Cleveland Indians (.590); Pittsburgh Pirates (.585).

Top pitching performances
Akron (Double-A Eastern League) left-hander Billy Traber spun a one-hit shutout in the Aeros' 2-0 victory over Binghamton in the first game of a doubleheader on June 6.

Carolina (Double-A Southern League) right-hander Aaron Cook spun a three-hit shutout to help the Mudcats edge Tennessee, 1-0, on June 8. Cook struck out four in the outing and induced 16 groundouts. He threw another shutout in his next start, was named the league's Pitcher of the Week and was promoted to Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Lakeland (Class A Florida State League) right-hander Calvin Chipperfield notched the fourth shutout of his five-year career to lead the Tigers over Clearwater, 1-0, on June 9. Chipperfield limited the Phillies to four hits, one walk and struck out seven, including the side in order in the ninth, to capture his fifth win in his last six starts.

Nashville (Triple-A Pacific Coast League) received outstanding starting pitching during a seven-game winning streak June 6-12. Right-hander Brian Meadows hurled his first shutout in six years and struck out 12 in the Sounds' 7-0 victory over New Orleans on June 6. Right-hander Tony McKnight tossed his first career shutout in the Sounds' 10-0 pounding of the Zephyrs on June 8. Right-hander Salomon Torres struck out 11 batters over seven-plus strong innings in the Sounds' 4-1 victory over New Orleans on June 9.

Orlando (Double-A Southern League) right-hander Brandon Backe spun his first career shutout in the Rays' 3-0 victory at West Tenn on June 7. The 24-year-old was perfect through four innings before yielding a leadoff single in the fifth and allowed just one hit each inning from there on. Backe became a starter for the first time in his career this season and struggled early, with a record of 0-5 through nine starts. He was 3-0 in three starts since May 27, with a 0.82 ERA and 10 strikeouts over 22 innings in that span.

Potomac (Class A Carolina League) right-hander Rhett Parrott tossed a three-hitter to lead the Cannons to a 6-2 victory over Winston-Salem on June 10. Parrott was in line for his second shutout in less than a month when he hit the first batter of the ninth and then gave up a two-run homer. He retired 17 of 18 batters between the second and eighth innings.

Streaking
Bakersfield (Class A California League) right-hander Evan Rust recorded his minor-league leading 15th consecutive save with a scoreless ninth inning in the Blaze's 4-1 triumph over Stockton on June 13. The 24-year-old right-hander allowed a hit and struck out one of the three batters he faced to earn his 22nd save of the season, tops in the National Association. Rust had yielded 15 hits, six walks and struck out 19 batters over 17 2/3 innings with a 1.02 ERA during his current streak, which is the longest known streak of its kind in California League history. He had 13 saves over his first two pro seasons combined.

Buffalo (Triple-A International League) right-hander Tim Drew recorded his sixth consecutive win, throwing a three-hit shutout in the Bisons' 6-0 victory over Toledo on June 6. In his next start on June 11, Drew captured his seventh straight win as the Bisons defeated Syracuse, 5-2. After going 0-2 with a 7.71 ERA in the month of April, the 23-year-old posted a 7-1 mark with a 1.26 ERA since. His consecutive win streak was the second-longest in the minors this season.

Fort Myers (Class A Florida State League) outfielder Josh Rabe reached base safely by hit or walk in 32 consecutive games May 7-June 12 (49-128, 12 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 4 SB).

Fort Wayne (Class A Midwest League) first baseman Joe Hastings hit safely in 18 straight games (32-74, 14 2B, 4 HR, 17 RBI) May 4-June 10, tied for the longest hitting streak in the league this season.

Hickory (Class A South Atlantic League) first baseman Walter Young hit safely in 17 straight games (28-68, 6 2B, 5 HR, 18 RBI) May 24-June 11, raising his average from .278 to .319.

Louisville (Triple-A International League) right-hander Jared Fernandez went 5-0 with a 3.68 ERA in eight games May 13-June 9 (44 IP, 48 H, 19 R, 18 ER, 12 BB, 28 SO). His nine wins on the season were tied for second in the league. The only Indianapolis pitcher ever to have 10 or more wins before the All-Star break was Ralph Citarella with 11 back in 1982. With more win, Fernandez would join Kevin Hagen as the only pitchers to win 10 or more games in back-to-back seasons for the Indians. Hagen won 10 games in 1984 & 1985.

Midland (Double-A Texas League) right-hander Mike Wood won his fifth consecutive start in the RockHounds' 12-9 victory over Wichita on June 8. Wood allowed four runs and eight hits over seven innings to improve to 5-0 with a 2.50 ERA over six starts with Midland in his second year as a pro.

Richmond (Triple-A International League) right-hander Trey Hodges won his sixth consecutive start in the Braves' 3-1 victory at Pawtucket on June 12. The 23-year-old retired 24 of 26 batters through eight scoreless frames, including 15 in a row between the first and sixth, before yielding two hits and a run to open the ninth. Pitching in his first season at the Triple-A level, Hodges became the first 10-game winner in the International League.

Salem (Class A Carolina League) right-hander Justin Huisman's opening-season streak of consecutive innings without allowing an earned run ended at 36 1/3 innings when he allowed two singles and a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning against Lynchburg on June 7. The streak was the second-longest in the minor leagues this season behind Saarloos and the longest in the league since Jimmy Journell of Class A Potomac pitched 42 1/3 innings last season.

Trenton (Double-A Eastern League) shortstop Freddy Sanchez extended his hitting streak to 24 games, the longest streak of its kind in the National Association this season, in the Thunder's 9-6 loss at Akron on June 24. Sanchez went 2-for-3 with his team-leading 19th double and was hitting .390 (39-for-100) during the longest hitting streak of his career. His previous career high was 13 games for Class A Sarasota of the Florida State League July 2-15, 2001. Sanchez held the longest hitting streak in the Eastern League since outfielder Donzell McDonald hit safely in 25 games for Norwich in 1999. Sanchez's hitting streak also established a new franchise record for Trenton.

Lowlights
Beloit (Class A Midwest League) right-hander Jon Steitz went 0-8 with a 7.01 ERA in 11 starts April 10-June 7. Steitz, a Yale University product who is in his first full pro season, stopped a four-start losing skid on June 12 when he yielded one run over 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision against South Bend.

Charlotte (Triple-A International League) left-hander Tom Jacquez went 0-7 with a 6.75 ERA in 14 games April 8-June 11 (61 1/3 IP, 79 H, 48 R, 46 ER, 21 BB, 45 SO). In his last outing, on June 11, Jacquez was tagged for three runs and seven hits in three innings of work as the Knights fell to Ottawa, 7-6.

Hagerstown (Class A South Atlantic League) right-hander Kyle Gross allowed 10 runs on three hits, eight walks and a hit batsman over two-plus innings in a 10-1 loss at South Georgia on June 7, his third straight losing start. After he struck out two batters in a scoreless first inning, Gross walked four batters in a five-run second, three of which came around to score. Gross opened the third inning by hitting a batter, walked the next three, surrendered a bases-clearing triple and was then removed. He fell to 1-4 with a 7.67 ERA for the Suns after starting the season with high Class A San Jose, for whom he issued 11 walks in just 5 1/3 innings.

New Haven (Double-A Eastern League) right-hander Jimmy Journell threw a three-hitter and lost at Bowie, 1-0, on June 11. Journell retired 16 straight batters between the fourth and ninth innings before serving up a two-out, solo home run to Bowie outfielder Luis Matos which won it for Bowie.