Cochran a hit

Former Wild Things pitcher Tom Cochran had a big night Monday, leading the Carolina Mudcats (Reds) to a 3-2 victory over the Jacksonville Suns (Marlins) in the Class AA Southern League.

Cochran pitched five shutout innings, allowing only two hits, and improving his record to 8-5. The eight wins are the team high.

The most impressive part of Cochran's night was that he had as many hits as a batter as he allowed as a pitcher. Cochran's single up the middle in the second inning drove in a run. He later led off the fourth inning with a double and scored.

Because the Frontier League uses the designated hitter, Cochran batted only one time in his two seasons with Washington. Last year, he was 1-for-21 in the Reds' system. This year, he's hitting .138.

It's worth noting that both of Cochran's hits Monday came off former major leaguer Andrew Miller, who was the Detroit Tigers' first-round draft pick (sixth overall) in 2006. Miller has 16 wins in the major leagues and was part of the trade that sent Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from Florida to Detroit. Miller's star has dimmed as his record is 1-8 with Jacksonville.

UPDATE: Miller, despite his struggles, was called up to the majors Thursday by the Marlins. Here's hoping he doesn't have to pitch to Tom Cochran.

Cochran an all-star

Former Wild Things pitcher Tom Cochran (pictured), who is playing for the Carolina Mudcats, the Cincinnati Reds' Class AA affiliate, has been named to the Southern League All-Star Game, which will be played July 12 in Huntsville, Ala.

Cochran has a 5-3 record and 2.32 ERA in 15 starts for the Mudcats. The league is batting only .226 against him.

In his last start, Wednesday against Jacksonville, Cochran pitched seven shutout innings, allowing only two hits.

Cochran is the second former Wild Things player to be selected for a Southern League All-Star Game. Pitcher Dave Bradley was chosen for the 2004 game (I think that was the year).

Cochran starts at Double-A

Former Wild Things pitcher Tom Cochran, pictured, who last year went from the independent ranks to Class AAA in the Cincinnati Reds' organization, will start the 2010 season with the Carolina Mudcats in the Double-A Southern League.

Cochran had a 5-6 record between Double-A and Triple-A last year after being signed by the Reds from Lancaster of the independent Atlantic League. During spring training, Cochran was pitching with Triple-A Louisville and threw four hitless innings in a start March 29. He was on Louisville's roster until Wednesday. Louisville had 18 pitchers Tuesday, and still has 14 (seven lefties) as of this writing.

Carolina opens its season Thursday against the Birmingham Barons, which is an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. Birmingham's starting first baseman is likely to be former Peters Township High School standout Jim Gallagher. Though not on the 40-man roster, Gallagher started a couple of spring training games with the major-league team and had about a dozen at-bats.