Baseball Guru
03-02-2002, 09:59 AM
Pitcher fares well against trio of lefties
By DREW OLSON
of the Journal Sentinel staff
Last Updated: March 1, 2002
Phoenix - Diminutive left-hander Takahito Nomura made a strong first impression Friday, working around a walk, an error and a passed ball in his first appearance with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Entering a game against Oakland in the third inning, Nomura was scheduled to face three tough left-handed batters: Terrence Long, David Justice and Eric Chavez.
Long was retired on a comebacker to the mound. Justice, who is historically tough on left-handed pitchers, fell behind in the count, 0-2, got a break on a checked swing at 2-2 and eventually walked. After Chavez struck out, Miguel Tejada reached on an error by Jose Hernandez.
With first baseman Mario Valdez, another lefty, at the plate, the runners moved up on a passed ball.
"My ball did not have good movement in the bullpen today but it had good movement on the mound," Nomura said through his interpreter.
Nomura, a 10-year veteran of the Japanese Pacific League, struck out Valdez to end the inning. The Brewers, led by solid relief pitching and a two-run homer by Geoff Jenkins, went on to win the game, 3-1.
"He looked very good today," Brewers manager Davey Lopes said of Nomura. "His velocity is surprising at times. I think he throws harder than some guys expect. It's good to be able to change speeds like that.
"A couple of those left-handers looked uncomfortable against him. I'd say he's off to a good start."
Although adjusting to a new culture presents its own set of problems, Nomura has to make a few adjustments on the field as well. The Brewers are trying to break him of his habit of licking his fingers while he's on the mound: a no-no in American baseball that can result in a ball being called.
"(The A's) third-base coach was yelling at the umpire," shortstop Jose Hernandez said. "He said, 'That's three times.' I guess the umpires don't call it that close in spring training, but they will during the season."
Through his interpreter, Nomura also said the mounds in Japan were softer than in the United States.
"He better get used to it," Lopes said. "He's not pitching in Japan."
High noon
Brewers leftfielder Ryan Thompson battled a bright sun and difficult backdrop to make a running catch against the bullpen fence.
"We thought he was going to kill somebody," said Mike Buddie, one of several relievers who scattered out of the way. "He was coming at us fast and he's not a small guy. We couldn't see the ball, so I don't know how he did."
Thompson's counterpart, Justice, lost track of a ball in the sun and several other players struggled, including Brewers second baseman Dionys Cesar.
"That sun was the worst I've ever seen," Thompson said.
Cesar misplayed a pop-up hit by Rob Ryan, but Alex Ochoa alertly picked up the ball and threw out Ryan, who had made too big a turn at first base.
"That was a great play by Alex," Lopes said. "You have to be hustling to make a play like that. A lot of guys would have just taken it easy, but he didn't. He has a great arm. Anybody with an arm is looking to show it off."
Buddie was appreciative.
"I didn't have to quick-step (to the plate) or throw over to first," he said. "That was big."
Signings
Buddie and infielder Bill Hall agreed to one-year contracts Friday and lefty Ray King was closing in on a two-year deal with a club option for 2004.
"It's pretty much done," King said. "There are just a few things that need to be finalized and some language that needs to be cleared up, but we've agreed on the numbers."
King made $220,000 last year and pitched in 82 games, one shy of the franchise record. It's likely that his deal will guarantee him between $1 million and $1.4 million over two years.
The Brewers have reached accord with 34 players on their 40-man roster. The remaining six - pitchers Ben Sheets, Ruben Quevedo and Luis Martinez, infielder Elvis Pena and outfielder Ryan Christenson - probably will sign today.
Pena is still having travel trouble in the Dominican Republic. General manager Dean Taylor said the infielder, who was recently married, was having trouble getting a visa for his wife.
Pony league
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, two of the horses entered in the field for the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap today are named Milwaukee Brew and Euchre, an apparent play on a certain baseball team and its popular announcer. The entry, owned by Frank Stronach and trained by Bobby Frankel, was favored at 7-2 in the opening line followed by Futural (9-2) and Giant Gentleman (5-1).
A cynic might suggest that it's the only time Milwaukee Brew will be favored this year.
By DREW OLSON
of the Journal Sentinel staff
Last Updated: March 1, 2002
Phoenix - Diminutive left-hander Takahito Nomura made a strong first impression Friday, working around a walk, an error and a passed ball in his first appearance with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Entering a game against Oakland in the third inning, Nomura was scheduled to face three tough left-handed batters: Terrence Long, David Justice and Eric Chavez.
Long was retired on a comebacker to the mound. Justice, who is historically tough on left-handed pitchers, fell behind in the count, 0-2, got a break on a checked swing at 2-2 and eventually walked. After Chavez struck out, Miguel Tejada reached on an error by Jose Hernandez.
With first baseman Mario Valdez, another lefty, at the plate, the runners moved up on a passed ball.
"My ball did not have good movement in the bullpen today but it had good movement on the mound," Nomura said through his interpreter.
Nomura, a 10-year veteran of the Japanese Pacific League, struck out Valdez to end the inning. The Brewers, led by solid relief pitching and a two-run homer by Geoff Jenkins, went on to win the game, 3-1.
"He looked very good today," Brewers manager Davey Lopes said of Nomura. "His velocity is surprising at times. I think he throws harder than some guys expect. It's good to be able to change speeds like that.
"A couple of those left-handers looked uncomfortable against him. I'd say he's off to a good start."
Although adjusting to a new culture presents its own set of problems, Nomura has to make a few adjustments on the field as well. The Brewers are trying to break him of his habit of licking his fingers while he's on the mound: a no-no in American baseball that can result in a ball being called.
"(The A's) third-base coach was yelling at the umpire," shortstop Jose Hernandez said. "He said, 'That's three times.' I guess the umpires don't call it that close in spring training, but they will during the season."
Through his interpreter, Nomura also said the mounds in Japan were softer than in the United States.
"He better get used to it," Lopes said. "He's not pitching in Japan."
High noon
Brewers leftfielder Ryan Thompson battled a bright sun and difficult backdrop to make a running catch against the bullpen fence.
"We thought he was going to kill somebody," said Mike Buddie, one of several relievers who scattered out of the way. "He was coming at us fast and he's not a small guy. We couldn't see the ball, so I don't know how he did."
Thompson's counterpart, Justice, lost track of a ball in the sun and several other players struggled, including Brewers second baseman Dionys Cesar.
"That sun was the worst I've ever seen," Thompson said.
Cesar misplayed a pop-up hit by Rob Ryan, but Alex Ochoa alertly picked up the ball and threw out Ryan, who had made too big a turn at first base.
"That was a great play by Alex," Lopes said. "You have to be hustling to make a play like that. A lot of guys would have just taken it easy, but he didn't. He has a great arm. Anybody with an arm is looking to show it off."
Buddie was appreciative.
"I didn't have to quick-step (to the plate) or throw over to first," he said. "That was big."
Signings
Buddie and infielder Bill Hall agreed to one-year contracts Friday and lefty Ray King was closing in on a two-year deal with a club option for 2004.
"It's pretty much done," King said. "There are just a few things that need to be finalized and some language that needs to be cleared up, but we've agreed on the numbers."
King made $220,000 last year and pitched in 82 games, one shy of the franchise record. It's likely that his deal will guarantee him between $1 million and $1.4 million over two years.
The Brewers have reached accord with 34 players on their 40-man roster. The remaining six - pitchers Ben Sheets, Ruben Quevedo and Luis Martinez, infielder Elvis Pena and outfielder Ryan Christenson - probably will sign today.
Pena is still having travel trouble in the Dominican Republic. General manager Dean Taylor said the infielder, who was recently married, was having trouble getting a visa for his wife.
Pony league
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, two of the horses entered in the field for the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap today are named Milwaukee Brew and Euchre, an apparent play on a certain baseball team and its popular announcer. The entry, owned by Frank Stronach and trained by Bobby Frankel, was favored at 7-2 in the opening line followed by Futural (9-2) and Giant Gentleman (5-1).
A cynic might suggest that it's the only time Milwaukee Brew will be favored this year.