WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - 97s pitcher Kevin McGlinchy took the next step on his way to the major leagues Sunday when he was promoted to Double-A Greenville.

McGlinchy, who found out about the move after his start against the Winston-Salem Warthogs, has been Danville's best and most durable starter this season. He was the club's opening-day pitcher and compiled a 9-8 record and 2.91 ERA in 22 starts.

He feels he earned the promotion.

"I'm just happy to get moved up," McGlinchy said. "I need a change definitely. Maybe it will give me a little boost. The last two starts have been pretty iffy for me, and maybe I'll go up there and turn it around."

McGlinchy pitched for Durham in 1997, posting a 4-7 record and 4.90 ERA. His strikeout numbers and walks were solid (113 and 39, respectively, in 139 2-3 innings), but the Atlanta Braves decided he should at least start this season back in the Carolina League.

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound right-hander made the most of his assignment to Danville, winning his first four decisions and establishing himself as one of the premier hurlers in the league. He was the only Danville pitcher named to the Carolina League All-Star Game, which he started for the Southern Division.

Heading into Sunday's game, McGlinchy led the league in innings pitched (136 1-3) ranked second in victories (9), fifth in strikeouts (122) and fourth in ERA.

"It was time to promote him," 97s manager Paul Runge said. "He's probably one of the most consistent starters in the league, and he's been among the league leaders in stats all year.

"If he's playing on a strong offensive club he wins 14, 15 games here."

97s pitching coach Bruce Dal Canton added: "He got off to a real good start, and we thought he would be ready to go at that time. ... He's proven that he can pitch at this level, and it's time to see what he can do at the next level."

Runge said there will be some moves made throughout the Braves' farm system the next few days with players being promoted from one level to the next. That creates a domino effect, which caught McGlinchy and forced his call-up.

A fifth-round draft choice in 1995, McGlinchy began his career a year later in impressive fashion with the D-Braves. He finished the '96 season just 3-2 for Danville but compiled the best ERA (1.13) in franchise history.

McGlinchy started two games for Class A Eugene at the end of 1996, then bypassed Macon and jumped all the way to Durham in 1997. He struggled a bit following the big jump, but by the end of the season became one of the Bulls' top pitchers.

The promotion to Greenville will allow the 21-year-old to rejoin some of his Durham teammates already in Double-A.

"I'll get to see a lot of teammates from last year at Durham, so that will be a good thing," McGlinchy said.

McGlinchy was part of a superb starting staff this season in Danville, one that includes prized prospects Rob Bell, Jason Marquis, Jason Shiell and Dwayne Jacobs. Marquis said it's always disappointing to lose a teammate, but he and the rest of the 97s know the move is in McGlinchy's best interest.

"Our goal is to get to the major leagues, and anytime you move up a level you've got to be happy for somebody," Marquis said.

Never one to lack confidence, McGlinchy believes he and his 90-plus mph fastball will be successful at Greenville. The promotion is not a temporary move, so he will have the remainder of the season to try and impress the Braves in hope of starting the 1999 campaign at Triple-A Richmond.

"You've just got to trust your stuff no matter where you are and don't change a thing," McGlinchy said. "That's what I'm going to do. I'm going to go up there with the same strategy and let (the hitters) find out about me.