Jackson

Zach Jackson knows there's much room for improvement.

Still, it's hard for anyone to argue with the results.

Jackson, a left-handed pitcher with the Nashville Sounds, the Class AAA affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, has jumped out to an 8-3 record, including a 6-2 victory over the Omaha Royals Monday.

The eight victories vault Jackson, a Seneca Valley graduate, into a tie for the Pacific Coast League lead in wins. On Monday, he allowed two runs and seven hits over six innings. He struck out four and walked one.

"I can't complain," said Jackson, 24. "I've been trying to work on some things. I've been working with our pitching coach (Stan Kyles) with my mechanics.

"I haven't been as consistent as I want, but it's part of the process. I have to try and execute my pitches and try to get out of the battle mode, that 'win-win-win' mentality,"Jackson added.

Jackson is 3-0 over his last four starts as the Sounds have won six in a row and 15 of their past 19 games to surge into first place in the PCL's American North Division.

The Sounds (42-29) are among the top teams in ERA and strikeouts, and one pitcher, Yovani Gallardo, was just called up by the parent club and pitched against the San Francisco Giants Monday night.

"Our pitching as a whole has been great," said Jackson, who has not dropped a decision since May 18 against Albany. "Our starters, our bullpen have done a great job. Everyone has chipped in. We're first in the league in ERA and the staff takes pride in that."

And that staff is also waiting for their chance to jump up to Milwaukee.

Gallardo got the call last week (his 110 strikeouts led the league by more than 30 at the time) with the injury to Milwaukee's Chris Capuano.

The Brewers are sitting atop the National League Central Division with a 38-31 record, 6Z\x games ahead of second-place Chicago.

It might be tougher to get called up by a team gunning for the playoffs, but Jackson and his teammates will be prepared if they get the call.

"When the (parent) club has success, all you can do here is take care of business. It's out of your hands. Hopefully, it's sooner than later," said Jackson, who was 2-2 with a 5.40 ERA in a brief stint with Milwaukee last year.

In his previous start against Memphis last Wednesday, Jackson received a no-decision, allowing three earned runs in 4Z\c innings and six strikeouts, but his biggest accomplishment that day came at the plate.

Jackson belted a three-run homer, his first round-tripper since his senior season at Seneca Valley in 2001.

"Yeah, they always joke around, but I try to take pride in myself and all parts of the game," said Jackson. "I can help win the game because I wasn't in there long.

"I want to help the team win and I got lucky. I got a good hit and contributed to the win," he added.

Jackson is learning that it isn't necessary to force himself onto the game, that the game can come to him.

"I realize I don't know everything," said Jackson. "I can be hard-headed and think that I don't trust these guys, but I'll keep rolling along and continue to improve."