duke of dorwood
04-23-2002, 08:41 AM
From todays Cubune:
The experiment of three inexperienced starters in the rotation isn't working as expected, forcing the Sox to give Parque another chance whether his velocity is back to normal or not.
"I hear he's very close," manager Jerry Manuel said. "Command is the key thing. He's shown some command. He's always shown that ability to fight. We probably need that command more than we need a velocity guy. We need someone to throw strikes because we have caught the ball better. If you're not throwing strikes, [the defense] can't catch it."
Parque has thrown strikes, though he has also served up seven home runs in 22 2/3 innings. The inconsistency of Jon Garland, Dan Wright and Jon Rauch is beginning to wear on the Sox offense, which had given them adequate run support. Wright and Rauch are getting on-the-job training in the majors, which doesn't bode well for a team that considers itself a pennant contender.
They're learning," catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. said. "They have good days and bad days. Right now we're supporting those guys offensively, so it's not a problem. If our offense goes cold, they're going to have to do better than that. Garland is going to make improvements, and hopefully Danny Wright does.
"But you've also got Gary [Glover] waiting for a chance. He's throwing strikes. You can move people around. Jerry can do that if we wants. You can't go out every outing and give up six or seven runs, but I have faith in those guys. The velocity is there. It's just the control."
Glover, who competed for a starting job in the spring, has 7 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings since Opening Day. But Manuel said he's not considering moving Glover into the rotation.
The experiment of three inexperienced starters in the rotation isn't working as expected, forcing the Sox to give Parque another chance whether his velocity is back to normal or not.
"I hear he's very close," manager Jerry Manuel said. "Command is the key thing. He's shown some command. He's always shown that ability to fight. We probably need that command more than we need a velocity guy. We need someone to throw strikes because we have caught the ball better. If you're not throwing strikes, [the defense] can't catch it."
Parque has thrown strikes, though he has also served up seven home runs in 22 2/3 innings. The inconsistency of Jon Garland, Dan Wright and Jon Rauch is beginning to wear on the Sox offense, which had given them adequate run support. Wright and Rauch are getting on-the-job training in the majors, which doesn't bode well for a team that considers itself a pennant contender.
They're learning," catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. said. "They have good days and bad days. Right now we're supporting those guys offensively, so it's not a problem. If our offense goes cold, they're going to have to do better than that. Garland is going to make improvements, and hopefully Danny Wright does.
"But you've also got Gary [Glover] waiting for a chance. He's throwing strikes. You can move people around. Jerry can do that if we wants. You can't go out every outing and give up six or seven runs, but I have faith in those guys. The velocity is there. It's just the control."
Glover, who competed for a starting job in the spring, has 7 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings since Opening Day. But Manuel said he's not considering moving Glover into the rotation.