Long Week

The week has been long for the Braves. After our starter went down and we had a rough game Sunday, we went to Lexington for a four game series. The series ended in Lexington with a walk off home run in front of a record crowd for 2015. I was not called on to pitch the whole series but knew when I got back I would be up because the bullpen day was coming up. 

The team had a scary moment in Lexington that resulted in a concussion for one of our pitchers. The Lexington bullpen is on the field and you have to be heads up the whole game. I was warming up the left fielder and my back facing the dugout down the line. He overthrew me and was off target, but it hit one of our pitchers in the side of the head. He dropped quickly and now he has to sit at least seven games, basically the rest of the season. 

The new opponent for our last home series is the Red Sox affiliate the Greeneville Drive. They came out hot and before the first inning was over it was 4-0. The game ended 10-3 on the bullpen day, but we only used five pitchers. It’s definitely tough to throw that many guys and not have a starter give you at least 3-4-5 innings and save some arms for the rest of the series.  Fireworks on and off the field. 

  

I made my first appearance after my Sunday against Asheville. My first inning went well and I worked out of a good jam. That made me feel really good. Then my second inning wasn’t so well. There were some hard hits, some bloop hits, and then I ended up giving three runs. The second inning I was behind in more counts than I liked and they were primed and ready for me after the first two guys. 

These last few outings results wise have not been good. Very poor actually. The weird thing is that I feel better throwing and my pitches are improving. I feel that way then I go out there and get hit around or give up runs. The relationship is weird because you’d think that it would be opposite when your pitches improve the results improve.  The pattern should be stuff improves then results improve, but oh well. I have mentioned earlier about taking the lumps early but I didn’t expect them to be like this, now I know what to expect!

A frustrating process, but learning how to respond to these situations is what I need to do. Learn from what I did yesterday to improve myself for next time. We have a five game series against these guys so chances are I will be throwing against them again before the series is over. We are still without a fifth starter so we will all see what happens going forward. This late in the year I doubt they are worried about our wins and losses, but it would be nice to have a full staff with the confidence to compete each game. 

My best efforts will be going into my final few outings. At this point I’m playing for my own personal pride. Show myself I can pitch here against good hitting teams and players. Nine more games to go then I can look back on my first full year as a professional. 

Another Day to Forget

It was a tough Sunday for the Rome Braves. The first three innings Asheville scored 12 runs, and the rest of the bullpen did fine only allowing 1 run over six. 

Unfortunately for me I was part of the 12 runs. After our starter went down, we made a quick decision on who from the bullpen would have to start the game. I came into the game  in the first inning with 1 out and men on first and third. Obviously much earlier than I thought I would throw but when duty calls you have to step up and get the outs. My first batter was the leadoff hitter, hitting for the second time of the inning. That is how the first inning went. 

I would eventually work my way out of the first inning and should have only faced three batters, but there was a bad defensive play that extended their inning and allowed them to score. It was a play with a man on first and 2 outs, the third basemen went for the short out to 2nd on a groundball which the 2nd basemen dropped. He might have been safe anyways but it didn’t help that the inning continued. It also didn’t help that it is technically a fielders choice and not an error. You cannot assume an out, therefore it is not an error. 

The fact that it isn’t an error makes my numbers look bad, and worse than they should, to anyone casually observing the box score. The coaching staff knows what happens which they can put in their reports, but having bad numbers nonetheless is a poor reflection of my abilities. I threw to a few more hitters before eventually striking someone out to end the first after 11 runs. Asheville hasn’t been kind to me this season as they account for 7 of the 16 runs I have given up this year. 

I ended up throwing two more innings and allowing a run, but I didn’t feel as bad about that. There were times when they knew what was coming and hit me hard, but when you come into a game down 11-0 it is safe to say the hitters are ready that day. I managed three strikes outs in there which makes me feel good, and are glimpses of what I should do all the time. Get ahead and get the strikeout. 

Throughout the season I have shown good glimpses of my potential, but overall I feel like it has been an average season up to this point. Not excelling but also not doing terrible. It is a frustrating feeling making good progress then regressing some. Today’s situation was tough being thrown into a game much earlier than anticipated but that shouldn’t matter. The game is the same no matter when I pitch. This is the third game I have thrown in when we have been down at least 10 runs. Ideally not the best spots but innings are innings. Every inning I throw is a new career high for me, and now I am almost to 50 innings including spring training. 

I’m in an interesting spot right now. Feeling like I am treading water with my pitching right now. Sometimes I can pop up and stay above water and other times I’m barley keeping my nose above water. I know I can do better, and I talk about doing better, but then it doesn’t happen when I throw. When the ball leaves my hand it is out of my control, but I can control what happens when I have the ball. 

I have gotten good advice from my fellow pitching staff. Their confidence in my certainly helps me when I go into the game and they are building me up. That is what I like about our bullpen, everyone wants the other guys to do well and compete. I’m sure there are secret bad blood motives between some guys, but when we are preparing to pitch, all hands go to action to make sure the pitcher is ready. 

Going forward, there are just over two weeks left. I can still make a good impression for the offseason. Midseason is a tough time to make major overhauls and correct problems, but the offseason is the perfect time. Tomorrow we leave for Lexington for four days, not including the off day tomorrow, then back home on Friday after the game. I still have not thrown against Lexington in their home park so i have that to look forward to. Three more series to get better. 

Midnight to Rome

The trip to Charleston was not kind to the Rome Braves. We dropped the first game of the series and were rained out the second. The second day of the series we rode over to the ballpark through a downpour, and waited around a few hours to learn the game was cancelled. 

On Wednesday after the cancellation we played a double header. The double header was in doubt to begin with because of:

  It ended up not raining at during the double header. We dropped both games of the day and went 0-3 on the road trip.  My two innings in the second game of the double header went well, I judge this on if they score. They did not score off me and it helps my confidence going into the series with Asheville. 

The part that everyone in the team myself included was not looking forward to was the six hour bus that followed the game. Whenever the games were over, win or lose, there is still six hours on the bus. A couple of wins can make the bus ride much happier and go by much quicker. Fortunately I had my own seat on the bus and am able to stretch out some. My aisle partner usually lays on the floor across the aisle under the seats, which allows me to lay across the seats. It is a nice set up we have going, and the last couple of rides have been smooth. This ride I did not sleep at all, and we got back to Rome around 5:45 am. My roommate wanted to get food when we got back, and after that pit stop it was time to sleep. 

One thing that our pitching coordinator is that nobody that isn’t playing feels sorry for us when we are on overnight trips or playing double headers. There are guys out there playing right now to be in our shoes riding a bus overnight to play for the Braves everyday. It is good to have perspective on how lucky we are getting a chance to play everyday, and now it is getting to crunch time. I think we have 18 games left, I heard there is a double header in Lexington coming up. 

These last 18 games are critical for each player to leave a positive spin on a season in the eyes of the coaches. Finishing strong is what they want to see going into the offseason when they make plans for who is getting the invite back. 

Eight more home games, ten more away games, two road trips, and then call it a season. A season. A ball season. I’m funny and I didn’t even know it. 

Snaking A Win

Wins and losses are a weird stat for pitchers. A starting pitcher can go seven strong and leave with a no decision. Then the guy who comes in after picks up a win for his one inning of work. Well I didn’t quite throw one whole inning but I made it work to pick up my first win in A ball. 

The situation was 1st and 3rd two outs, tie ball game 1-1 when I came in. I struggled with the first hitter and walked him. Not the best start of a relief pitcher working out of a jam, but it was alright because I somehow stuck out their three whole hitter with a good 2-2 fastball. Stranding inherited runners is always nice for a reliever, and I am glad I worked out of the tight situation for the starter. Getting him off the hook and keeping the team in the game is what I am supposed to do. 

The next inning I went out and it was 3-1, putting me in line for the win after getting one hitter out. I got ahead, but ended up giving a single to the first hitter. A quick pop out then a walk later, my night was done. .2 innings but in line for the win. The next reliever picked me up and stranded my runners, we won, and I picked up my first win. 

Weird how it works, I struggled through my outing, and picked up the win. My fellow pitcher Q told me I was rushing through my delivery which was causing the ball to be up and wild. I agree, I was aware of the delivery problems but couldn’t make the adjustment on the fly. It is frustrating, and I’m not gojng to say ah well and be happy about it, because I know there is more in the tank. The curveball hasn’t been my friend lately, and I’m not sure where it went. Being able to command it for a strike is critical right now or else every hitter knows I am only throwing fastballs at them. If they know it is coming their chances of hitting it are good, no matter how hard I throw. In the bullpen it is good for the most part, I can throw it for a strike. Then a hitter comes in and it goes away, the target is the same but the hitter throws me off. I have milled the idea of throwing something else such as a slider which might be easier to command and throw like a fastball, but I haven’t talked to the coaches at all. The problem with that is I would have to learn a new pitch on the fly, and the curveball is nasty, so why scrap it. 

Yes the positive attitude and thinking is improving in my game, but I am not immune to being upset and having negative thoughts pop around. What else was frustrating is that our pitching coordinator was in town, and I wanted to excel why he was here. Show him I am finishing strong and am still a good investment for the Braves. 

We are currently on the bus to Charleston, one of the best places to play in the league. I think they are having a down second half, and we are rising right now coming off a four game sweep. If we can sweep or win a series then we will have a big series ahead of us with Asheville. I have pitched well in the past in Charleston, and looking to build off that. 

Quick Turnaround

When you throw six pitches in an inning you get to throw in the next game. Usually between my outings I have 3-4 sometimes 5 days off. This time I came back the next game and threw against Savannah. 

It went much smoother than last time against the Gnats, and they weren’t beating us 18-0 when I came in. It was only 3-0 at the time and I had the task of keeping it there.  My fastball command was much better today as well as getting another guy out with a change up. I might have hit a guy but that’s alright it was only a curveball in his foot. He acted like he was going to come out of the game and couldn’t move, but three pitches later he was thrown out stealing second. So much for being hurt to where you can’t run. We ended up losing the game 3-0. 

Savannah has an old stadium, and this is the last year the team is playing there. Next year the move to Columbia, SC happens. The field was fine, but the locker rooms could use an upgrade. A large focus for the team was how crappy the locker rooms are but that has zero effect on what happens during the game. The bullpen is located on the field down the left field line, with a back stop behind it. I prefer the bullpens with backstops because you can let loose instead of worrying about throwing one onto the field. 

From the right hand corner of the dugout the field looks like this: 

   
Pardon the tractor in the way but I was trying to be sneaky before their batting practice. Not pictured is the bullpen, which is just out of view in the first picture. Another bonus for the bullpen is there are no stands by us, and no children nagging us for baseballs. When a kid approaches nicely we tell them if we get a foul ball we can hand them one, and that usually works. Recently we have been getting the kids who walk up and say “Give me a ball now”. That doesn’t work. 

In off the field events the team went to a historical restaurant that is popular in Savannah. The place is called Mrs. Wilkes dining room. Yesterday we had about twenty guys say that they were going to attend but then only eight guys showed to actually eat. It is a southern food style place buffet but not where you go pick the food. You sit at your table and then the food is brought to you and passed among the ten or so seats.  It isn’t the healithest food I’ve had, but when in Savannah you have to try the local fare. This might be my only time in Savannah so I thought hey let’s get fat. 

Savannah cooking

 I counted about 25 dishes we could choose from. The part I liked best about the resturant is that it was cash only. They know how to run a business. 
 

Patrons waiting to eat

Mrs. Wilkes is only open from 11-2 and in high demand. Fortunately they like the Braves and we snuck into the kitchen and bypassed these lines that were out the door. Very nice of them to sneak us in the back way for a quick meal. 

Two more games here in Savannah then four games at home against Lexington before we hit the road again. I’m guessing I’ll throw versus Lexington when we get back. The team knows the end is near for the season, but here is to hoping they stick it out and play hard for another month. 

Last Time in Augusta, First Time in Savannah

The first half of the road trip is complete. My last trip to Augusta for the season is in the books and I got my one inning in yesterday. 

My inning was very smooth and was only six pitches long. Threw one changeup for a strike and the guy popped out. Woo hoo for throwing good change ups. I figured I would go back out for more but they said other guys needed work. Understandable. We went 2-2 against Augusta in four games, and now we play Savannah for three. 

This is my first time in Savannah and my first impression is on the offday. Before the team left Rome we discussed going to the beach as a team. Most of the guys were interested and a lot of talk during the games was about the beach and the activities that would occur. Well today was the day of the beach and only seven players showed up to enjoy it. I figured hey when in Savannah might as well.  

 This is the entry point to beach and to the left there is a pier that people were fishing on. The sand was crazy hot to walk on and of course I did not have beach shoes with me. 

While at the beach, we ventured down until the beach until we found this small sand bar about 50 feet from the main beach. There were a lot of seagulls but there were also pockets of water flowing throw the sand. Each small pocket of water was about a foot deep, but it felt like a small hot tub. It was one of the most relaxing places in the area, and it felt like we were there for hours. That is the funny thing about the beach, it is a time warp. You think it has been hours but only 10 minutes. We noticed the water was moving quickly and noticed that our small sanctuary was fading. Looking around the sand bar was quickly disappearing with the tide. 

The trek back to base with the rest of the team was swell and we let the rest of the team know about the sanctuary. 

All in all is was a solid day but tomorrow it is back to baseball for another month. Savannah won the first half of the division and are in the playoffs no matter what. At this point our chances are slim making the post season but stranger things have happened in baseball. 

I haven’t wrapped my head around the idea of the season being over yet, and we only have three road trips left in the season. When I think of it that way the season end seems imminent. The under one month countdown is effect but still far away with a lot of baseball to be played. 

Augusta, Savannah, Augusta, Savannah

The home stand against Augustana and Savannah is over. Now the road swing against the same teams is beginning today. Rather than travel after the early game yesterday we are doing a travel and play the same day. In college that is about every game, but we rarely do it here. This is the first time I will be part of the same day journey.

The last game I pitched in didn’t go well, we lost 20-3. It was one a game where I was exhausted after mentally and physically. Mentally in the bullpen you see the starter give up eight runs in one inning is a demoralizing feeling. When that happened, I thought okay well I am pitching today at some point. I came in the eigth down 18-0.  You might say well it’s 18-0 it can’t be that bad to come into the game. I think it is just as hard if not harder throwing in that game then in a tie game in the ninth. It’s an excuse yea but it is how I feel. 

The other team is locked in hitting at this point and the position guys are checked out. When you go out there in a situation like that then you are pitching solely for yourself. It’s about your stats and leaving a good impression with the team. My stats at the end of the day were the best of the day, but to me not the best because they scored a couple runs. I felt fine throwing and knew I was the last guy, no matter what happened I would be in until the game was over. My curveball has been wild lately but I think I know what is causing it. 

The first stop Augusta which has a nice surrounding area of the hotel. I haven’t been to Savannah yet.  The homestand did not end well for the team. I think we went 2-5, losing our last three or four in a row. There isn’t one thing that is causing the losses to pile up, but it does get old. The feeling in a game where something goes wrong, then another, then the team loses their interest in game. After doing the same daily routine for seven months I can see why interest would be low. Although, working a job requires a routine and that is year round. 

The team morale is high as everyone is still themselves. I guess it is different here during a full season because if I got upset every time we lost then I would be depressed. With a month to go our playoff chances look low, but there is always a hot streak that we could catch onto. 

Before the game a few days ago our manager Randy talked to us about not giving up. That everytime you play you have to take advantage because you never know when you could be done. At this point you are playing to finish strong and leave a positive image in the minds of the coaches. That is my goal going forward, showing the coaches I make the adjustments and that I’m worth a spot next year in the organization. My numbers might not reflect the fact I had a great year going for a while, but if I’m going to have a bad numbers year then A ball is the time to have it (prefer never to have it).

There is some fun extracurricular activity planned for this trip, but first and foremost it is time to win some games!

Month of July, see you later.  My birthday month was not kind to me, or the Rome Braves. We are in ab it of a slide right now do to about everything that can happen.  Pitching, defense, hitting, we have not had timely any of these. Update – just heard we have dropped 12 of last 13. Ouch!

My month was tough with my worst two outings of the season coming in back to back appearances.  I thought the third time was the charm last night when I threw against Augusta.  My first inning went well and it was quick, a couple of loud outs to the outfield but mainly guys were swinging early and keeping my pitch count down.  The second inning I came out of the game bases loaded with 1 out.  Hypothetically speaking if I do my job in the ninth then we might win the game.  We ended up scoring a few runs to cut the deficit but that of course could not have happened given a different situation in the ninth.  It was a tough inning and I made some good pitches, but some calls did not go my way and they hit a few decent pitches to knock me out of the game.  Fortunately for me the month of July is over and I can look ahead towards August.

There are a few front office guys in town for the next few days.  Everyone always wants to play well in front of the brass, but it is also funny to see guys do extra work who never do it.  The only reason they do is because a higher up is in the town, and this occurrence is not limited to baseball.

I wanted to throw exceptionally well when the front office guys are in town.  Not so much that I am going to try to throw 100 or anything like that but I want to show them I am making progress. These are the guys who ultimately write reports and can influence whether you move on in baseball. When my outing was all said and done I think I did okay, and that the front office guys will be happy with my performance when the year is all said and done.

While the pitching rover is in town, he talks to us a lot about what to expect as you move up the ladder in baseball.  He was telling us how if you are a rookie in the big leagues and you don’t back up a base it can cost you your spot and you will wind up back in the minors.  If you are getting paid $20 million then it is a different story, but he said it isn’t right that they can do that to rookies, it is just the way that it is. It sounds like BS to me but hey once I get there then I will make sure to back up the bases.

The announcement for who is going to the instructional league should come soon if I remember correctly.  Right around this time in August there will be an envelope in the lockers of who is going and who is getting to be done in September.  I have planned on instructional league this entire year, and going would not be the worst thing for me.  If I get more reps with the coaching staff then I get to practice pitching even more going into the off season.  Who knows, I could put it all together during instructs and be ready to go for the spring.

I am looking forward to the last full month of the season because I think I will be given more opportunities.  The bullpen seems to have solidified and we are sticking with the guys we have up here.  The fewer guys that rotate in and out means more outing for everyone here on shorter rest.  That is what we all want, continued chances to get better and get the work in.  My next outing should be against Savannah on the home stand, and then against Augusta and Savannah again.  Augusta knows me pretty well, but I have also been watching their hitters and each time have a better idea of how to approach them.

Last word, Shout out to my friend Matt Marksberry making it the major leagues a couple days ago.  He was in Rome last year then shot up the ladder to make his major league debut of 1.2 scoreless yesterday.  Here is to hoping to be the next Matt Marksberry and progress up the ladder.