If He Keeps this up, Jason Lane May not be a Chihuahua for Long

Jason Lane, 37, pitched six scoreless innings, allowing only five hits in his 2014 debut for the El Paso Chihuahuas.  The former big league outfielder is in the third full season of his attempt to return to the Major Leagues as a pitcher.  However, this is the first of those three in which he has commenced the year in the starting rotation of an affiliated team.

Lane began 2012 in the bullpen for Reno(Arizona's AAA affiliate).  He made 15 appearances for the Aces before being released in June.  He completed the season as a starter for Sugar Land's Skeeters.

He continued as a starter for Sugar Land in 2013 until he signed with the Padres in July.  In 35 games(34 starts) with the Atlantic League Skeeters in 2012-13, Lane posted a 3.08 ERA with 130 strikeouts in 216 1/3 innings pitched.

Lane spent six seasons in the big leagues as an outfielder.  All but three games of that career were spent with Houston.  He had 61 home runs and 189 RBI as an Astro. 

Houston Shoots for Series Win Over Rice on Tuesday

The University of Houston baseball team takes the field Tuesday night against cross-town rival Rice with a chance to clinch their first Silver Glove Series win since 2000. Houston won the first game of 2014 between the rivals 3-0 in February at Rice.

The Cougars enter the 6:30 pm contest  at Cougar Field with a 19-4 record this season. They have won 11 of their last 13 games and are currently ranked #17 by Baseball America. Rice is 19-6 and has won nine in a row. The Owls are ranked #10 by Baseball America.

The Owls have won 52 of the 66 games the two clubs have played since the Cougars won the season series in 2000. The third game of this season's head-to-head series is scheduled to be played on May 13 at Constellation Field in Sugar Land.