media wrap for 5/18

Posted May 18, 200519 yr

Game recaps

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Los Angeles Daily News

Dontrelle off

"There's no excuse," Willis said. "They hit good pitches. They hit bad pitches. I was determined to try to keep us in the ballgame." /---/ SS

Willis didn't have his usual command. Through his first seven outings, he averaged 68.0 percent strikes. Tuesday, 64 of his 102 deliveries were in the zone for his second lowest (62.7 percent) percentage of strikes. /---/ SS

"Now we can let the guy be himself and not worry about going 15-0," manager Jack McKeon said. "It wasn't his night." /---/ MLB

"His energy level was too high today," pitching coach Mark Wiley said of Willis. "He was really, really high energy. He had a hard time gearing down. He wasn't throwing strikes and changing speeds like he can."

Willis entered Tuesday having given up six earned runs in 50 innings before the Dodgers' big first inning. Kent had a two-run single, and Saenz added a two-run double. The Dodgers capitalized on Delgado's error when he dropped Willis' throw trying to nab Milton Bradley, who dropped a sacrifice bunt.

"After [the first inning], he settled down and did a heck of a job," Wiley said.

Even though Willis lost, he impressed Wiley with the way he was able to recover in a game he wasn't at his best.

"The elite pitchers, even if they have a tough inning, a tough first inning or whatever, stay in the game and keep their team in the game," Wiley said. "They make pitches to get themselves back on track again. I think that just shows what kind of competitor and what kind of pitcher he has been this year." /---/ MLB

The biggest difference in Marlins LHP Dontrelle Willis is that he is pounding righthanders inside, holding them to a .196 batting average compared with .288 last season. Willis worked with new pitching coach Mark Wiley in spring training to keep his chin in line when throwing to righties. By going inside on them, Willis opens up the outside corner, adding to his effectiveness. He also is changing speeds on his fastball, showing an 87-mph batting practice version on occasion. /---/ Ken Rosenthal, The Sporting News

'Plaining baseball

Most of Easley's recent doubles have been to the same spot down the left-field line. He has yanked an assortment of pitches that way, sending a fastball and an off-speed pitch into the corner Monday. His first-inning double Friday off Adam Easton was on a hanging curve.

"It's where you're making that contact," Easley said. "Obviously, you run out of room for error when you're playing on that line like that, but I'm one of those guys where if it's working, I don't pay too much attention to it. I know I have to open the whole field up. I'm not trying to put the ball down that line, but that's what I'm getting. If that's what I'm getting, I'll just ride that bad boy out until they go foul." /---/ SS

"It ain't like I'm going after 700 home runs and chasing Hank Aaron,'' Harris said. "I'd rather have 700 home runs than 200 pinch-hits. That's without a doubt.'' /---/ PBP

Marlins veteran Jeff Conine, a close friend of Lowell, understands the struggles of his teammate.

"We all understand what he's going through because we've all gone through it," Conine said. "You can't say anything to make it any easier. It's frustrating. You just try to throw your encouragement his way and know he's going to come out of it. He's a good hitter. You know he's going to come out of it."

The problem with slumps, Conine says, is players try changing everything in hopes of snapping out of it. Last year when Conine got off to a slow start, he began tinkering with some things. It may be something that appears so simple, but it has a major impact on a swing.

Conine pointed out that perhaps moving your feet three inches wider or elevating your hands slightly can make a hitter feel entirely different.

"It often comes down to going back to basics and making it as simple as you possibly can," Conine said. "Then something clicks, and you start hitting again. There is no magic pill. No cure-all drill to get you back where you need to be." /---/ MLB

"This game has a rhythm, and it is contagious," Kent said. "It has a rhythm on defense and a rhythm on offense. Once you get into a groove, it just continues to flow. I'm not saying it happens all the time, but it just makes it a little easier." /---/ LADN

The view from Los Angeles

"What we did better than them tonight was pitching," said Kent, who broke out of his personal 0-for-13 slump with four RBIs in a 14-5 blowout win. "That's going to be the key for us, how well we pitch. Any time the pitching staff allows the offense to stay in the game, it's so much easier to swing the bats. Lately, we haven't been scoring enough runs to overcome the pitching, but we'll be all right." /---/ MLB {Of course, he's been one of the few that's stunk at the plate.}

"He's a really tough pitcher because of that jerky motion," Repko said. "He hides the ball so well it makes it tough to recognize a change of speed." /---/ LAT

Gagne's fastball hit 93 mph, but he only needed to throw three of them in the 10-pitch inning. In his season debut Saturday, he allowed home runs to the first two batters he faced before striking out the side with a fastball at 90-92 mph.

"The first time I was too anxious," he said. "I wasn't jumping this time. I was calm and under control out there." /---/ MLB

The crowd was about 5,500 less than the Dodgers averaged during two "$2 Tuesday" promotions that filled up the pavilions and upper deck with fans whose rowdy behavior prompted the team to hire LAPD officers and bolster security procedures.

Dodger officials said the promotion might eventually return, but for one night everyone paid full price. /---/ LAT

Spotlighting

Mike Berardino checks in on the former Marlins on the Cubs' payroll.

Jerry Crasnick allows us in the mind of the agent during draft day. Dontrelle Willis and Marlins' Assistant GM Dan Jennings prominently mentioned.

Mike at Fishstripes.com rips John Kruk for yet another stupid comment. Baseball Think Factory also discussed Kruk's comment and all things BBTN.

Todd Jones chimes in on the stadium. This is only of interest because of its author. Check the 'New Stadium' forum here if you care to learn more. Fishstripes.com also shares his opinion of the recent news.

Maverickball.com has your minor league round up.

Looking ahead

After the game, the Marlins designated Crowell for assignment and recalled Triple-A infielder Joe Dillon. /---/ MLB

Easley should get one more start at second today. McKeon expects to have Castillo back in the lineup for Friday's series opener against the Devil Rays. /---/ SS

Guillermo Mota was set to face batters before Tuesday's game, but those plans were delayed. Instead, Mota will throw a bullpen session on Wednesday morning, and he will face hitters on Friday when the team is back home. /---/ MLB

The left thumb injury that landed prospect Jason Stokes on the disabled list last month has put him there again. The Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes sidelined Stokes on Sunday due to inflammation.

Stokes has played just 13 games this season, batting .283 (13 for 46) with five homers and 15 RBI. Should the Marlins need to make a trading deadline move, Stokes would be one of the prospects they could dangle. /---/ SS

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