Special_K19
04-18-2003, 12:08 PM
Bullpen struggling without Wohlers
04/18/03
Burt Graeff
Plain Dealer Reporter
It's easy to underestimate the role of the setup guy coming out of the bullpen. The closer gets most of the publicity, good and bad, while the setup guy is rarely noticed.
Until he's gone.
The Indians are discovering that Mark Wohlers' absence has put the bullpen in a tizzy.
"Without Mark Wohlers," said manager Eric Wedge, "it has been a lot tougher. He is a quality setup guy."
Wohlers, who was 3-3 with a 2.54 ERA in 35 second-half games last season, underwent surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow on March 11. "He's on course to return by early June," Wedge said.
With Wohlers out, Wedge has primarily used David Riske in the setup role. Before throwing two scoreless innings with three strikeouts last night, Riske had been shaky, giving up two home runs in 4Ðinnings. Last night's effort dropped his ERA to 8.53.
In Wednesday night's 4-3 loss to Baltimore, the Indians held a 3-1 lead when Wedge passed up Riske in the eighth inning, instead bringing in closer Danys Baez.
Baez gave up the tying run in the eighth and the winning run in the ninth - a home run to Melvin Mora.
"We've got guys capable of filling that role," said Wedge, referring to Carl Sadler, Billy Traber, Jose Santiago and Terry Mulholland. "I have to keep giving them the opportunity to step up."
Tough luck:
Jake Westbrook is the best 0-2 pitcher in big-league baseball. In 12Ðinnings, he's given up one earned run on seven hits. He's holding opposing hitters to a .163 batting average.
A devastating sinker has been the key for Westbrook, who stepped in to replace the injured Jason Bere in the starting rotation.
In working 5Ҡinnings of the Wednesday night loss to the Orioles, Westbrook gave up one run on two hits. Here's how effective the sinker was: 10 of his 17 outs came on ground balls.
"One thing that I've done is mix up my pitches well," he said. "It has kept hitters off balance."
The 0-2 record has not discouraged Westbrook, who was part of the trade that sent David Justice to the Yankees in July 2000. "I am very pleased with the way I have pitched," he said. "Pitching can be just like when a hitter hits a bullet right at someone.
"All of this will even out."
Off to a nice start:
Right-handed pitcher Jeremy Guthrie, the 22nd overall pick of the June 2002 draft, is 2-0 with a 0.63 ERA in three starts at Class AA Akron.
Guthrie, who was forced to leave his April 9 start with stiffness of the neck and upper shoulder, gave up one run on four hits in seven innings of Wednesday night's 7-2 victory at Reading.
He is holding opposing hitters to a .170 (8-for-47) batting average.
Other minor matters:
Victor Martinez and Alex Escobar continue to struggle at Class AAA Buffalo. Martinez, who won batting titles in the Eastern and Carolina leagues the last two seasons, is hitting .160 (4-for-25) with one home run and five RBI for the Bisons.
Escobar, who missed all of last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament of the left knee, is batting .118 (4-for-34) with 15 strikeouts.
04/18/03
Burt Graeff
Plain Dealer Reporter
It's easy to underestimate the role of the setup guy coming out of the bullpen. The closer gets most of the publicity, good and bad, while the setup guy is rarely noticed.
Until he's gone.
The Indians are discovering that Mark Wohlers' absence has put the bullpen in a tizzy.
"Without Mark Wohlers," said manager Eric Wedge, "it has been a lot tougher. He is a quality setup guy."
Wohlers, who was 3-3 with a 2.54 ERA in 35 second-half games last season, underwent surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow on March 11. "He's on course to return by early June," Wedge said.
With Wohlers out, Wedge has primarily used David Riske in the setup role. Before throwing two scoreless innings with three strikeouts last night, Riske had been shaky, giving up two home runs in 4Ðinnings. Last night's effort dropped his ERA to 8.53.
In Wednesday night's 4-3 loss to Baltimore, the Indians held a 3-1 lead when Wedge passed up Riske in the eighth inning, instead bringing in closer Danys Baez.
Baez gave up the tying run in the eighth and the winning run in the ninth - a home run to Melvin Mora.
"We've got guys capable of filling that role," said Wedge, referring to Carl Sadler, Billy Traber, Jose Santiago and Terry Mulholland. "I have to keep giving them the opportunity to step up."
Tough luck:
Jake Westbrook is the best 0-2 pitcher in big-league baseball. In 12Ðinnings, he's given up one earned run on seven hits. He's holding opposing hitters to a .163 batting average.
A devastating sinker has been the key for Westbrook, who stepped in to replace the injured Jason Bere in the starting rotation.
In working 5Ҡinnings of the Wednesday night loss to the Orioles, Westbrook gave up one run on two hits. Here's how effective the sinker was: 10 of his 17 outs came on ground balls.
"One thing that I've done is mix up my pitches well," he said. "It has kept hitters off balance."
The 0-2 record has not discouraged Westbrook, who was part of the trade that sent David Justice to the Yankees in July 2000. "I am very pleased with the way I have pitched," he said. "Pitching can be just like when a hitter hits a bullet right at someone.
"All of this will even out."
Off to a nice start:
Right-handed pitcher Jeremy Guthrie, the 22nd overall pick of the June 2002 draft, is 2-0 with a 0.63 ERA in three starts at Class AA Akron.
Guthrie, who was forced to leave his April 9 start with stiffness of the neck and upper shoulder, gave up one run on four hits in seven innings of Wednesday night's 7-2 victory at Reading.
He is holding opposing hitters to a .170 (8-for-47) batting average.
Other minor matters:
Victor Martinez and Alex Escobar continue to struggle at Class AAA Buffalo. Martinez, who won batting titles in the Eastern and Carolina leagues the last two seasons, is hitting .160 (4-for-25) with one home run and five RBI for the Bisons.
Escobar, who missed all of last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament of the left knee, is batting .118 (4-for-34) with 15 strikeouts.