09:49 AM EDT on Tuesday, July 13, 2004

BY SHALISE MANZA YOUNG
Journal Sports Writer

PAWTUCKET -- Mama said never judge a book by its cover, but at 6-foot-4, 270 pounds, with broad shoulders and cannon arms, Bucky Jacobsen looks like a home-run hitter.

Jacobsen's cover doesn't lie.

The Tacoma Rainiers first baseman clubbed 11 home runs in the first round to lead the Pacific Coast League All-Stars, and then faced off with International League leader (and Rochester Red Wings' first baseman) Justin Morneau, who had 12 longballs, in the finals.

Jacobsen went first in the final, and sent another eight balls flying out of McCoy Stadium. Morneau had only three.

An Oregon native, Jacobsen was originally drafted by the Brewers in 1997, and has 155 home runs over the last three-plus seasons. He came into the All-Star break with 26 homers.

Asked what his secret was last night, Jacobsen said he tried to not to be fancy.

"I just tried to use my everyday swing, tried to get a pitch," he said. "A lot of times (in home-run contests), it comes down to whether the guy throws consistent pitches right where you want them, and he (PawSox pitching coach Mike Griffin) did a great job.

"I just try to put all 270 pounds behind it."

One of Jacobsen's first-round bombs went over the concession stand in straightaway center field. Though it was under different conditions, Jacobsen is only the second player to clear the hut since the new McCoy opened in 1999 -- Pawtucket's Juan Diaz turned the feat in 2000.

The PawSox' Earl Snyder, who is leading the International League with 25 home runs, went last in the first round, but despite the home-town support, had only three clear the fences.

Norfolk first baseman Craig Brazell and Buffalo designated hitter Ernie Young each had eight homers for the I.L. in the first round, while former Pawtucket and Boston slugger Calvin Pickering, now in the Kansas City organization and playing in Omaha, had seven for the PCL side.

The remaining participants were Syracuse's Glenn Williams, Alberquerque's Larry Sutton and Joe Dillon, and John Gall of Memphis.