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OAKLAND, Calif. — Scott Kazmir's season is in the balance.
Literally.
After a frustrating beginning and an encouraging ending to Tuesday's start, the Rays ace said his extended struggles are the product of problems with his delivery, and once he solves those he should start winning again.
"It's so frustrating," Kazmir said. "It's been a disappointment so far. It really has. Hopefully I come back at the right time."
Sitting in the clubhouse Wednesday afternoon reviewing video of his previous night's work, Kazmir (8-6, 3.22) said he didn't have to watch the pitch to know where it went; he could tell by his footwork.
When he kept his stride short and his front leg bent, he delivered the ball how he wanted to and threw it where he was supposed to. But when his leg was stiff, and he wasn't able to come over the top, he didn't do either.
"I just have to be more balanced," Kazmir said.
As a result, he continued a disturbing trend, throwing too many pitches, in this case, 97 — including 43 balls — in only five innings.
Kazmir hasn't made it through six innings in nine of his past 11 starts, and in those nine, only 61.4 percent of his pitches were strikes (or put in play). In his first eight starts, when he was 6-2, he threw strikes on 66 percent of his pitches.
Tuesday, he had trouble getting comfortable at first with the shorter stride, and it showed as he went to a full count on six of the first eight batters, including four in a 33-pitch second inning, including his only true mistake, a two-run homer by Bobby Crosby as the Rays lost 2-1.
He got better as the night went on, retiring his last seven, though he had two more full counts, and he said he is confident he will carry that over to his next start in Texas on Sunday.
Manager Joe Maddon also thinks he is close to turning it around.
"The velocity was really good," Maddon said. "I still believe it's about rhythm, feel, tempo. He's just a little bit still too internal thinking about his mechanics; we've just got to get him to focus on the glove and stay aggressive and he'll be fine."
OAKLAND, Calif. — Scott Kazmir's season is in the balance.
Literally.
After a frustrating beginning and an encouraging ending to Tuesday's start, the Rays ace said his extended struggles are the product of problems with his delivery, and once he solves those he should start winning again.
"It's so frustrating," Kazmir said. "It's been a disappointment so far. It really has. Hopefully I come back at the right time."
Sitting in the clubhouse Wednesday afternoon reviewing video of his previous night's work, Kazmir (8-6, 3.22) said he didn't have to watch the pitch to know where it went; he could tell by his footwork.
When he kept his stride short and his front leg bent, he delivered the ball how he wanted to and threw it where he was supposed to. But when his leg was stiff, and he wasn't able to come over the top, he didn't do either.
"I just have to be more balanced," Kazmir said.
As a result, he continued a disturbing trend, throwing too many pitches, in this case, 97 — including 43 balls — in only five innings.
Kazmir hasn't made it through six innings in nine of his past 11 starts, and in those nine, only 61.4 percent of his pitches were strikes (or put in play). In his first eight starts, when he was 6-2, he threw strikes on 66 percent of his pitches.
Tuesday, he had trouble getting comfortable at first with the shorter stride, and it showed as he went to a full count on six of the first eight batters, including four in a 33-pitch second inning, including his only true mistake, a two-run homer by Bobby Crosby as the Rays lost 2-1.
He got better as the night went on, retiring his last seven, though he had two more full counts, and he said he is confident he will carry that over to his next start in Texas on Sunday.
Manager Joe Maddon also thinks he is close to turning it around.
"The velocity was really good," Maddon said. "I still believe it's about rhythm, feel, tempo. He's just a little bit still too internal thinking about his mechanics; we've just got to get him to focus on the glove and stay aggressive and he'll be fine."
[Last modified: Aug 14, 2008 03:14 PM]
Comments on this article
by MD
Aug 14, 2008 3:14 PM
"I just have to be more balanced," Kazmir said No kidding? He looks like he's going to fall down after he releases the ball. Maybe watch Howell, that's how Kaz used to pitch.
by Ernie
Aug 14, 2008 3:10 PM
Mike, you have your opinion and I have mine. You might disagree with me, but at least respect me. You didn't have to be disrespectful by questioning my knowledge of baseball. You don't know me. So, don't be questioning my baseball knowledge. TY
by Joe
Aug 14, 2008 11:20 AM
This is very reminencent of last year. Hickey spent the first half of the year messing with Kaz' mechanics. After the All Star break, Kaz wnt back to what was working. Why or why did we bring Hickey back? Percival seems to be doing more postive.
by mike
Aug 14, 2008 11:20 AM
scott is hardly a gamble, do you know baseball?
by bob
Aug 14, 2008 11:20 AM
Some starters have this problem and they cure it by pitching out of the stretch at all times. I think this may help Scotty.
by Ernie
Aug 14, 2008 10:10 AM
Just because a pitcher has a great year in the beginning of his career doesn't mean he's a keeper. The Rays have taken a gamble with Scott. Hopefully, Scott will overcome his problems and pitch the level we all expect from him.
by Jon
Aug 14, 2008 9:10 AM
So, does this explain the loss of 5 mph off of his velocity?
I have spammed these boards asking for a professional journalist to investigate this FACT. So far, my posts are deleted.
2 years ago, Kaz thre 95-97 on his fb. Now it's 88-93. PROB FOUND.
by willem
Aug 14, 2008 9:08 AM
I think he is overtrowing, after he came back from his injury and his velocity was down a few ticks he was unhitable and there was more break. on his bals, now he is back to his old speed pitches are balls and fouled of all the time. Come on kaz
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