Fife Makes Major League Debut with Dodgers

Starting pitcher Stephen Fife made his Major League debut Tuesday night as the starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers against Roy Halladay of the Philadelphia Phillies. As a player on the Dodgers 40-man roster, Fife was an attractive candidate to make a spot-start in place of the injured Chad Billingsley.

Fife, 25, was originally selected in the third round of the 2008 draft by the Boston Red Sox. He played four seasons in the Red Sox system, amassing a combined 23-16 record with Single-A Lowell, Greenville and Salem, as well as Double-A Portland. The pitcher was also a 2010 Eastern League All-Star Selection.

Fife was acquired by the Dodgers in a trade with Boston on July 31, 2011. After joining the Los Angeles system, the right-hander went 3-0 with a 4.01 ERA in 33.2 frames at Double-A Chattanooga.

This season, Fife has proven a consistent arm in the 'Topes rotation with a 7-5 record with a 4.53 ERA through 97.1 innings. Despite a rocky start in which he allowed 22 runs through his first four appearances, the hurler has made a quick turnaround to allow three runs or less in each of his last eight outings (4-1, 2.78 ERA), most recently dealing a two-hit, scoreless performance in 7.0 frames against Round Rock.

"You know Fife's been tremendous for us," said Isotopes Pitching Coach Glenn Dishman. "We all had our struggles over the first month and he was questioning himself, and we were questioning if he was ready for this level, and he's proven that he is. So, hopefully tonight he puts up a win in Los Angeles."

Fife was held back from his latest scheduled start on July 16 as a precautionary action for a battered Dodgers rotation. According to Dodgers.com, Fife is likely to make the start tonight and return to the Isotopes on Wednesday when Los Angeles pitcher Javy Guerra is reinstated from the Bereavement List.

Wearing number 56, Fife will now join Elian Herrera, Scott Van Slyke, Alex Castellanos and Shawn Tolleson as Albuquerque Isotopes who have made their Major League debut this season.

Fife delivered a quality start in his big league debut, going 6.0 innings, allowing just one run on four hits while walking three and striking out one. Fife left with a 2-1 lead, but wound up with a no-decision after the Phillies rallied for a 3-2 win.