[AZTarHeel]

Andrew Zarzour stood on the mound at the Albuquerque Sports Stadium, his head down and his left foot scratching in the dirt. His manager, Mike Scioscia, was coming out to talk to him, and Zarzour knew this wouldn’t be a long chat.

For the second game in a row, Big Z had been reduced to small potatoes by Triple A hitters. It was only the fourth inning against the Calgary Cannons and already Scioscia was having to come and get him. Just like five days ago against the Oklahoma RedHawks. A full house, which had been expecting a big show from the team's biggest prospect, was nearly silent.

“Hey, it’s OK big fella. We’ll get this turned around,” Scioscia said, taking the ball from the 7-foot-2 left-hander and pointing for reliever Sean Maloney in the Dukes' bullpen. “This just wasn’t your night.”

Zarzour felt awful. His parents, who had broken another time share arrangement -- and paid yet another big fee over it -- had come out to see him pitch this game after missing his first start in Albuquerque. And he had blown up right before their eyes. They, of course, were nothing but supportive of their son, reminding him over and over that he’s just 18 and already a world-beater by just getting to this level so quickly But Zarzour, ever the quiet competitor, hated that he couldn’t replicate in Triple A what he had been able to do pretty well in the lower divisions.

Up here, a fastball that might have blown past someone gets jacked out of the park. And the hitters, some of them veterans twice Zarzour’s age trying to earn one more shot at the Bigs, don’t bite nearly as much on his junk.

Zarzour was sickened when he saw his line from his first two starts as a member of the Albuquerque Dukes: 0-1 record (mercifully, in the first game the other starter was just as bad), 6.75 ERA, 21 hits allowed, 11 earned runs. He did have 22 strikeouts but it often took him seven or eight batters in an inning to get those K’s.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a 6.75 ERA,” Zarzour told his dad.

“Yeah, but I don’t think any 35-year-old former All-Stars were taking hacks at your pitches either, son,” his father retorted. “Hang in there, kid. Remember what it says in the book of Joshua. Be strong and courageous. Do not fear. Take heart. God is with you and still loves you. We love you, too, and are unbelievably proud of you..."