Francisco Rodriguez discussed pitching to Mariano Rivera:
“The last couple of outings I haven’t been able to make pitches when I needed to,” Rodriguez said. “It’s been a little while like that. I just have to find a way to figure it out quick. (Today) I’ll watch some tape and find out what I’m doing wrong and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
But walking a pitcher – one with just two career plate appearances? Three straight fastballs should have more than done the trick, no?
“It was not only with Mo, it was every single guy,” Rodriguez said. “I wasn’t able to make pitches early in the count. (You want to) get a strike, get ahead. Every single batter, it doesn’t matter, you always have to throw a first-pitch strike. I got behind 2-0 then came back and then I walked him. I treat every batter with the same respect, even if they’re pitchers. You have to go out there and make pitches.”
I have to agree with the writer here. Three fastballs down the middle of the plate should have been enough. I know Rivera fouled off one pitch, but I have to believe the chance of him making solid contract were low. Even a ground ball to short does the trick. K-Rod didn’t have to make pitches. He just had to put the ball over the plate and let Mariano make an out.
Walks with the bases loaded are still high, happening in 8.3% of plate appearances in that situation. The next closest year is 2000, with 7.8% of bases loaded PA ending in walks.
Posted by David Pinto at 9:09 am | Games, Pitchers | Permalink | No Comments
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