Ross Ohlendorf Phlusters Phillies

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 2, 2010 10:22 PM EDT

Really awesome game tonight - if the Pirates aren't going to have an offense, and that seems to be pretty much a given (and the Bucs only had five hits today), I much prefer these well-pitched 2-0 thrillers they've been having lately over whatever it is they usually do. Anyway, Ross Ohlendorf picked up his first win of the season today, and this was almost certainly his best start of the year - he isn't usually the type to rack up eight strikeouts, and with only one walk to boot. He got a boost from Lastings Milledge, who made a great diving catch in the fourth to rob Ben Francisco of a hit and kept a run from scoring.

One bit of news that was announced during the game is that Charlie Morton was optioned to Indianapolis. This is more of a technicality than anything else - he was already pitching there while on a rehab assignment, and he'll continue to pitch there. The "shoulder fatigue" that got him sent to the DL in the first place was pretty vague, and he actually spent some time working with a sports psychologist after the Bucs sent him packing, so placing him on the DL and sending him on a "rehab" assignment in the first place was probably mostly about avoiding negative press and protecting Morton's ego. In any case, hopefully Morton will get himself back on track in the minors.

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Haven't had much occasion to say this, so:

Ross the Boss

by bucdaddy on Jul 2, 2010 10:46 PM EDT reply actions

Why I missed the game:

First I spent a huge chunk of the afternoon boating on the Mississippi and then I got back to work late and when I came in the house, I turned on the game and there was 2 outs in the top of the 9th. And to top it off, I forgot to record it.

I hope the games are this good when it’s the weekend of Bucs Dugout Night.

by IAPiratesFan on Jul 2, 2010 10:54 PM EDT reply actions

Ohlendorf struggled so badly early on that I picked him on waivers in a 30 team fantasy baseball league with 25 man rosters. I haven’t had a chance to actually start him yet because we only get to throw one starter a day, but I think I made a good move there. Hopefully I didn’t miss his only good starts of the year.

by ElDuce on Jul 2, 2010 11:13 PM EDT reply actions

The injury could have affected him

enough to limit his ability. Hes definitely throwing harder since his first couple starts back from the DL.

by ryebr3ad on Jul 2, 2010 11:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

During the postgame show

Tekulve mentioned that Alderson is starting to get his velocity back. I hadn’t read anything to that effect; have any of you heard/read something about his velocity increasing?

by biggyv on Jul 3, 2010 12:08 AM EDT reply actions

I haven't but that would be freaking awesome!

by Slick1 on Jul 3, 2010 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Alvarez still looks very poor on defense, not just offense. Two of the Phillies “hits” should have been ruled E-5. There was one poor throw, and another play he completely botched, and couldn’t even pick up with his bare hand.

There are definitely reasons to think Alvarez will improve on both sides of the ball, and I’m not making any future judgments. But as of this minute, there’s no doubt about it. He looks awful.

by Adam Reynolds on Jul 3, 2010 1:46 AM EDT reply actions

He looks to be getting more comfortable, at least. I’m happy to see some of his hits drop.

by ryebr3ad on Jul 3, 2010 2:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Alvarez

I think he is starting to relax in the box. His swings are still pretty bad on off-speed stuff, but he has slowly been getting better cuts at the ball. When he starts being more aggressive early in the count, you know he is finally comfortable.

Incidentally, I expect this to be sometime in the next week or so.

by SpacePirate on Jul 3, 2010 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions

When he starts being more aggressive early in the count, you know he is finally comfortable.

I suspect that that’s what’s really killing him right now. He’s being too patient early, which you can get away with in the minors and lots of pitchers can’t throw strikes. Then when you’re ahead in the count, said minor league pitcher serves you up a fat one. In the bigs, pitchers throw strikes. Pedro’s gotten into a lot of 0-2 and 1-2 counts just by taking pitches. And it’s very hard to hit when you’re always behind in the count.

by matskralc on Jul 3, 2010 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions