Durango53
04-11-2005, 02:37 PM
On Saturday, Johan Santana received his 2004 American League Cy Young Award as former Twins, and fellow recipients, Frank Viola and Jim Perry stood next to him.
On Sunday he showed what Cy Young-caliber pitchers do -- they end slumps before they start. He stopped the White Sox in a 5-2 victory at the Metrodome.
Santana wasn't motivated by starting in front of a national television audience, or because it was his first start following his Cy Young ceremony.
His motivation was to avoid an embarrassing sweep at home by a White Sox team that Santana said is definitely better than last year's edition.
Santana, who has struck out 10 or more 15 times in his career, kept the game close early but did his best work after his first trip through the White Sox order. He registered nine of his 11 strikeouts between the fourth and seventh innings. He stuck out three in the fifth, including slugger Paul Konerko, who was fed four consecutive changeups before going down swinging.
This guy is young and is pitching. The way his change up was going last night was great. If this kid can learn to pitch so soon instead of throw he could be one of the great's by the time he is ready to call it quits!!! :thumbsup: And I hope that is on a Twins team also!!!!
On Sunday he showed what Cy Young-caliber pitchers do -- they end slumps before they start. He stopped the White Sox in a 5-2 victory at the Metrodome.
Santana wasn't motivated by starting in front of a national television audience, or because it was his first start following his Cy Young ceremony.
His motivation was to avoid an embarrassing sweep at home by a White Sox team that Santana said is definitely better than last year's edition.
Santana, who has struck out 10 or more 15 times in his career, kept the game close early but did his best work after his first trip through the White Sox order. He registered nine of his 11 strikeouts between the fourth and seventh innings. He stuck out three in the fifth, including slugger Paul Konerko, who was fed four consecutive changeups before going down swinging.
This guy is young and is pitching. The way his change up was going last night was great. If this kid can learn to pitch so soon instead of throw he could be one of the great's by the time he is ready to call it quits!!! :thumbsup: And I hope that is on a Twins team also!!!!