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06/09/2008 10:31 PM ET
Parrish ties Chiefs mark with ninth win
Veteran scatters three hits over eight innings in 5-0 shutout of Baby Bombers
By Larry Fleisher / Special to MLB.com
John Parrish tied Alan Koch's 1963 franchise record for most wins to start a season. (Travis Brower)

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John Parrish asked for a chance to return to a starting pitching role during Spring Training. Since then, he's made the most of the opportunity with Syracuse.

The former Major Leaguer came within three outs of his first complete game in seven seasons as the Chiefs blanked the host Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, 5-0.

Parrish (9-0) tied Alan Koch's 1963 franchise record for most wins to start a season by scattering three hits and striking out seven for his eighth victory as a starter and ninth overall.

The 30-year-old left-hander had only made one start since the 2001 season, when he started on regular basis in the Baltimore Orioles' farm system.

Since then Parrish has made over 200 relief appearances, mostly for the Orioles and various Minor League affiliates. Last August he was traded to Seattle and after compiling a 6.97 ERA in eight late-season outings for the Mariners, Parrish became a free agent and asked whether he could become a starter again.

"I was just excited they gave me a chance," he said. "I learned things from when I started before, but I'm just in a comfort zone."

Parrish was three outs away from his third Minor League complete game. He went the distance for Frederick in 1998 and did so again three years later for Rochester.

A blister on his right thumb became bothersome in the ninth inning and he issued consecutive walks to Alberto Gonzalez and Jason Lane.

Other than that, it was a nearly spotless outing for Parrish, who threw 59 of 101 pitches for strikes. He allowed two runners in the first but then shut down the Yankees the rest of the night. He retired 23 of the next 25 hitters before the ninth.

"I established a fastball," Parrish said. "It comes with learning [that] I don't have to overthrow every single pitch."

He hasn't heard from the Toronto Blue Jays yet about any possible promotion. For now, he is content to have the opportunity with the Chiefs.

"I can still pitch," Parrish said. "I'm just looking for an opportunity right now."

Syracuse (38-27) pulled within two games of the first-place Yankees with a four-run fourth off Daniel McCutchen (0-4).

Buck Coats and Hector Luna smacked RBI doubles and Danny Sandoval capped the frame with a two-run two-bagger.

Erik Kratz added a solo home run in the eighth as the Chiefs snapped a three-game losing streak.

McCutchen continued to struggle at the Triple-A level, allowing four runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Larry Fleisher is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.