MOBILE, Ala. – At 32 years old, former University of South Alabama baseball and current Chicago White Sox standout Juan Pierre has already cemented himself as arguably one of the best base stealers of his generation.

From 2001-09, he never finished lower than fifth in the National League in stolen bases. Pierre, the active career steals leader in baseball, led the NL in steals in 2001 and 2003, and finished second in the league five times.

His 35 stolen bases this season at the age of 32 are more than Ty Cobb stole at that age, when he swiped 28 bags with Detroit in 1919.

Now, as July winds down and pennant races begin to heat up, Pierre, who now plays in the American League, sits on the verge of a career milestone. With just six more stolen bases, he will reach 500 for his career, making him the 37th major leaguer in the history of baseball to eclipse the 500 mark.

He will tie Clyde Milan and Hall of Famer Willie Keeler, who are tied for 37th all-time with 495 steals, with his next stolen base, and he  will have the opportunity to do so Monday night when the White Sox host the Seattle Mariners at 7:10 p.m. (CT).

Down on the farm, several former Jaguar pitchers are making strides.

P.J. Walters is 4-2 with a 2.79 earned run average for AAA Memphis in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. This season, Walters has recorded 63 strikeouts versus 16 walks in 61.1 innings pitched. He is 3-0 in his last three starts, allowing just one run in each of those games, while recording 20 strikeouts and issuing just two walks. Earlier this season, Walters earned his first Major League win, tossing five scoreless innings while allowing four hits. He struck out four Padres in the contest while issuing just two walks.

Left-hander Brandon Sage is 3-5 with a 3.86 ERA this season at Class A Savannah, part of the New York Mets organization. Sage has recorded one save in 25 appearances out of the bullpen, and has commanded the strike zone thus far with 32 strikeouts versus seven walks. Opponents are hitting just .240 against him. Sage has not allowed a run in four consecutive appearances, and has allowed just two hits during that span while recording four strikeouts without issuing a walk.

After being promoted to Class A Fort Wayne of the Midwest League, Matt Jackson is 1-1 with 14 strikeouts and five walks. The right-hander carries a 4.67 ERA in 17.1 innings pitched so far this season, all out of the bullpen. Jackson earned his first win July 18 in 2.2 innings of relief against Quad Cities.

Right-hander Eric Gonzalez has been hot as of late for the Lake Elsinore Storm of the Class A Advanced California League. Gonzalez is 3-3 this season in 16 appearances, and has recorded 21 strikeouts and issued nine base on balls in 33.1 innings pitched. In his last three appearances, Gonzalez has allowed just one run on only four hits, and recently earned the win over Bakersfield on July 25 in three innings of relief.

Kevin Nabors was promoted from Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga to AAA Salt Lake in the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim organization earlier this season. The right-hander, who is currently listed on the seven-day disabled list, boasts an ERA of 1.69 in four appearances for the Bees in 5.1 innings.

At Salt Lake, Nabors has allowed just one run and six hits, and has recorded four strikeouts. Earlier this season at Rancho Cucamonga, Nabors went 1-0 in seven appearances without allowing an earned run in 9.2 innings pitched. He struck out seven batters and issued only two walks while allowing just four hits, limiting opponents to a .125 batting average.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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