Editors note: This post has nothing resembling well reasoned analysis. This is simply the author’s enthusiastic response to two recent plate appearances. The views and opinions expressed below do not represent those of the more logically based billfer that normally resides in this corner of the internet. He’ll be back tomorrow.
Did you see what Freddy Dolsi did today? Dude comes in with the sacks loaded, the go ahead run standing at the plate, and only one out in the 8th inning. Dolsi, anagram-ically nicknamed Freddy Solid by frequent DTW commenter Chris in Dallas, fell behind Jhonny Perralta 2-0. He battled back into a full count. And then came the heat. A 97 mph fastball right down the middle. It’s the type of pitch that Rod Allen labels “here it is, hit it” but there would be no hitting it today sir.
With two outs, now some of the pressure is off. But Dolsi is amped up. Three more fastballs down the middle to Ben Francisco and Dolsi had himself back-to-back K’s. This one was a called strike where Pudge comes rocketing up out of his crouch before the ump even calls strike 3. It was beauteous.
As I type this Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney are throwing another rehab outing. Soon, someone will have to go down and I think Dolsi isn’t eager to go anywhere.
Yes, the Indians hitters helped him out by not really having good at-bats, but Dolsi gets some of that credit doesn’t he?
And yes, coming into today he’d allowed 12 hits and 7 walks in 12 innings. And there was that time he didn’t call time out and Toriii Hunter stole second. And there was the time he air mailed an intentional walk ball for a wild pitch. And there was the time he didn’t cover first base resulting in a walk-off infield single (hey, it’s starting to sound like that billfer guy snuck back in here). Some of those things might undermine his sexiness as well as the Freddy Solid monicker. But today he was sublime so for now I will bask in the warm glow of his 9 fastball, 2 K outing.
He sure was today!!!
Speaking Zumaya and Rodney:
Their Rehabs tonight were like this:
Fernando Rodney: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR — 23 pitches, 10 strikes.
Joel Zumaya: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K — 11 pitches, 7 strikes.
This guy could be really, really good. I think he’s the likely best 8th inning option for right now.
If we get Zumaya back, Cruceta straiten out (a big if), and a fully healthy & effective Rodney back (a bigger if), then this bullpen could be truly lights-out.
Cruceta was DFA’d, Chris. You may be thinking of Denny Bautista.
Rodney’s line doesn’t look very encouraging, unless I’m misunderstanding something..3 K’s (on 10 strikes?) seems kind of out of line with the rest of it.
Basically he was wild/hit hard at least once (the HR). It’s not overly encouraging, though you do like the 3 K’s … just not when they come with a HR, a H, and a BB.
So many of these guys have good arms…its amazing how good things happen when they throw strikes!
I was at the game yesterday and got to see the Dolsi show, up close and personal. He looked unreal. The two batters he faced had no clue what to do, they were simply over matched.
Check out my site for more gushing about Dolsi.
http://www.spotstarters.com
Well the team is in need of some sexy. Gil can’t do it all.
Great to hear the gushing over Dolsi, especially from Billfer. That’s the kind of performance that can turn the season around. I mean Billfer’s. Dolsi stinks.
No, really, I don’t know if I can recall a pitching performance this season that made anyone here go WOW, not simply “good job” It’s about time.
Gil can’t do it all, tiff, but it might be his turn to do a little more of it.
Nice blog, Blake. I’ve only glanced at it before, read a little further this time and enjoyed it.
And I shouldn’t complain about Rodney. He’s pitching and striking guys out. If Mr. Sexy continues to shine, maybe they’ll take their time with Rodney like they probably should.
What’s the deal with Cruceta, anyway? Was he claimed?
Great clutch performance by Dolsi!
David G, I’ve been looking for info on Cruceta and can’t find any. I’m guessing he hasn’t been claimed yet but still may be. Someone else here surely knows.
Sean: They’ve had plenty of pitching performances that have made me go “Wow”. For example: “Wow, Francisco Cruceta makes me want to shower in napalm.” or “Wow, I wonder if Casey Fossum can sustain an infinity ERA.”
Chris, something interesting about Cruceta is that he put up some good numbers when the Tigers were at their worst. Maybe deceptively good, but his ERA during the losing streaks was 1.59 (I think). The curt statement by Leyland makes me think Cruceta’s done for, but save the napalm for Miner. Every time I think he might be OK after all, he isn’t.
Miner has been a bit of an enigma this year. He was pretty decent in a relief role in ’07, and he was at least equal to what Maroth would have been (probably better) as a starter in ’06 so you know he’s got ability. And he’s shown signs of being good this year. Of course he’s also shown the ability to give up 7 runs in 1/3 of an inning.
Someone here characterized Miner’s problem as a chronic lack of confidence in his stuff. I’m not sure if that’s true, but I’m developing a chronic lack of confidence in his stuff. Jim likes him a lot all of a sudden this year. Maybe he feels bad about going with Durbin instead last year.
Freddy was money, I think his performance even evoked one of Rod’s spontaneous ‘AAAAAHHAAAAAA’s. I forget how many drinks those are worth….