Sox Send Bertotti Back to Minors; Bolton Gets Call

CLEVELAND One day after getting roughed up by the Kansas CityRoyals, White Sox rookie left-hander Mike Bertotti was sent back toClass AAA Nashville and replaced by right-hander Rod Bolton.

Bolton was forced into action Friday against the Indians muchsooner than the Sox had hoped.

And he got off to a rough start by serving up a home run to thefirst batter he faced, Paul Sorrento, before retiring the next threeto end a five-run third inning.

Bertotti (1-1) gave up eight earned runs in two starts. The Soxdon't think he's ready for the majors, but they expect him back soon- maybe before the season is over.

"I was happy to see he didn't take it real good," Sox managerTerry Bevington said of Bertotti, who had made the trip to Cleveland.

"He was bothered by it, but that's one reason we brought him up.We knew he wouldn't be scared up here."

Bolton, 26, has succeeded in the minors. He was 12-3 with 71strikeouts and 19 walks this season.

He was leading the American Association in ERA at 3.12 andranked second in the league in victories.

Bolton began the 1993 season in the Sox' starting rotation, buthe was 2-6 with a 7.44 ERA.

"It's good to be back," Bolton said before the game. "They'vebeen making a lot of moves, and I just kept hoping one of those callswould be mine."

The Sox wanted Bolton to start in Bertotti's place Tuesday inSeattle.

But Brian Keyser, who was unavailable for relief because ofrecent use in the bullpen, is now the tentative Tuesday starter.

NO TV: Because the Cubs-St. Louis Cardinals game was televisedon Channel 7 as part of The Baseball Network's coverage, theSox-Indians game was not televised in the Chicago area.

If the Cubs were rained out or delayed, the White Sox likelywould have been picked up.

SELECT COMPANY: Frank Thomas, who celebrated his fifthanniversay in the majors with his 170th home run Wednesday, trailedonly Joe DiMaggio and Mark McGwire (173 apiece) in home runs hit atthe five-year mark by an American Leaguer.

National Leaguers with more home runs at five years: Ralph Kiner(215), Eddie Mathews (190), Ernie Banks (183) and Chuck Klein (181).