Struggling Burton headed to Louisville

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By Hal McCoy, Staff Writer Updated 2:12 AM Tuesday, June 2, 2009

ST. LOUIS — Jared Burton drew the short straw when it came time to make room for Edinson Volquez, who came off the disabled list to pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals in Busch Stadium.

Burton, victimized by lack of work that led to ineffectiveness, was optioned to Class AAA Louisville. His 28th birthday is today, but he isn't feeling like cake.

In his last four appearances he allowed six rujns in four innings and has been generally ineffective all year after he was 5-1 with a 3.22 ERA in 54 appearances last season.

"This is part of it and I'm not going to argue with them about the decision," said Burton. "I know it and I hope they know it. I'm not pitching the way I know how and for some reason there is a little mental thing, a confidence thing. I need to get a few things going my way.

"I need to get locked back in because I know what I can do and I know I can help the team," he added. "It's a situation where it is hard to be bitter because we've had our starters throwing so well and going deep into games it is hard to get work when you have Nick Masset, Arthur Rhodes and David Weathe3rs throwing so well on the back end."

Burton said he'll have a chance "to work the kinks out and get regular work" in Louisville and manager Dusty Baker agrees.

Baker agrees with Burton's lack of work assessment and said, "It's a good problem to have. We know Jared has the stuff. We've seen it. They're going to try to pitch him a lot. Sometimes when you're not doing what you know you can do, you lose a little confidence. We want him to get his act together and come back with confidence and conviction."

Some new leather

Jonny Gomes spent several minutes in the clubhouse early Monday pounding the pocket of a new black-and-tan first baseman's glove with the fat end of a bat, "Trying to form a pocket. They told me to take ground balls at first base so I ordered this glove."

Gomes pointed into his locker and said, "I have a first baseman's mitt, but it's a bit old." The raggedy piece of leather looked as if Lou Gehrig used it in 1927.

Gomes took ground balls Sunday in Milwaukee and Monday in St. Louis during batting practice.

Out of the lineup

• Jerry Hairston Jr. was not in Monday's lineup after showing up with flu-like symptoms and Baker said, "He's feeling poorly." Hairston missed considerable time in spring training when he conteracted a strong flu in Mexico playing in the World Baseball Classic and lost 12 to 15 pounds.

"Let's hope this isn't the same thing," said Baker.

• Center fielder Willy Taveras missed his third straight start with a sore right hamstring, but Baker said, "He'll probably start (tonight) and might even get into (Monday's game). Monday was the first day he tried to run hard."

Quote of the day

"I hate to come in every day and see my trainer's injury report. First thing I do is peek to see how long it is and if it's short I'm a happy man." — Baker on his team's injuries.

Contact this reporter at  hmccoy@coxohio.com.

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