Dodgers sell contracts of two pitchers to Japanese teams

Friday December 06, 2002

LOS ANGELES (AP) The Los Angeles Dodgers sold the contracts of pitchers Kevin Beirne and Jeff Williams to Japanese teams Friday.

Beirne's contract was sold to the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes of the Japanese Pacific League while Williams' contract was sold to the Hanshin Tigers of the Japanese Central League.

Beirne, a 28-year-old right-hander, was 2-0 with a 3.41 ERA in 12 appearances with the Dodgers last season three of them starts. He was also 10-3 with a 4.15 ERA at Triple-A Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League.

Williams, a 30-year-old left-hander from Australia, worked as a reliever in 10 games without a decision for the Dodgers with an 11.70 ERA in 10 innings last season. He was 6-4 with a 2.60 ERA and a franchise-record 28 saves at Las Vegas.

In parts of four seasons with the Dodgers, Williams was 4-1 with a 7.49 ERA in 37 games including four starts.

(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)