Lowe's woes aren't too troubling
Before getting too worked up about Derek Lowe's current three-game losing streak, let's remember that he's experienced similar stretches in the past. Also, let's not forget that he'd limited the Red Sox to just one hit before surrendering consecutive two-out, fifth-inning doubles last weekend in Boston.
His June 14 start in Baltimore and last night's outing against the Yankees were ugly. But mixed in between was the respectable effort in Boston. So let's not make too much of the fact that the 36-year-old sinkerballer has posted a 12.34 ERA and allowed opponents to hit .433 against him during his past three starts.
This sample size is too small and not entirely unprecedented. When he last lost three consecutive starts, from July 8-19, 2006, he posted a 9.60 ERA and allowed opponents to hit .411. Over the course of his next nine appearances, he went 7-1 with a 2.28 ERA and limited opponents to a .218 batting average.
After allowing a season-high 11 hits and eight runs -- six earned -- during last night's loss, Lowe provided indication that he's been feeling somewhat uncomfortable for a while.
During his first 10 starts, Lowe experienced just one game during which he induced fewer groundballs than fly balls. Remarkably that one game occurred at the offensive haven known as Great American Ball Park on April 24, when he allowed two runs over seven innings while allowing the Reds to produce 10 flyballs and eight groundballs.
Lowe's sinker seemed to be in top form on May 23, when he induced got 18 of the 28 Blue Jays he faced to hit the ball on the ground. Against the 31 Diamondback hitters he faced five days later, he induced 13 groundballs and saw the ball hit in the air 16 times.
Dating back to that start against the D-Backs, Lowe is 1-4 with a 6.61 ERA. In the process, he has compiled a 1.08 ratio of groundballs-to-flyballs.
"I have to figure it out," Lowe said. "Clearly, there's something going on that's making the ball not do what it's supposed to do. It's not quite back to the drawing board, but we have to figure it out."
His June 14 start in Baltimore and last night's outing against the Yankees were ugly. But mixed in between was the respectable effort in Boston. So let's not make too much of the fact that the 36-year-old sinkerballer has posted a 12.34 ERA and allowed opponents to hit .433 against him during his past three starts.
This sample size is too small and not entirely unprecedented. When he last lost three consecutive starts, from July 8-19, 2006, he posted a 9.60 ERA and allowed opponents to hit .411. Over the course of his next nine appearances, he went 7-1 with a 2.28 ERA and limited opponents to a .218 batting average.
After allowing a season-high 11 hits and eight runs -- six earned -- during last night's loss, Lowe provided indication that he's been feeling somewhat uncomfortable for a while.
During his first 10 starts, Lowe experienced just one game during which he induced fewer groundballs than fly balls. Remarkably that one game occurred at the offensive haven known as Great American Ball Park on April 24, when he allowed two runs over seven innings while allowing the Reds to produce 10 flyballs and eight groundballs.
Lowe's sinker seemed to be in top form on May 23, when he induced got 18 of the 28 Blue Jays he faced to hit the ball on the ground. Against the 31 Diamondback hitters he faced five days later, he induced 13 groundballs and saw the ball hit in the air 16 times.
Dating back to that start against the D-Backs, Lowe is 1-4 with a 6.61 ERA. In the process, he has compiled a 1.08 ratio of groundballs-to-flyballs.
"I have to figure it out," Lowe said. "Clearly, there's something going on that's making the ball not do what it's supposed to do. It's not quite back to the drawing board, but we have to figure it out."
I'm not really worried about Lowe he faced a tough team that know how to work the count and lay off the bad pitches.
Hopefully he won't punch his hand into a wall/door and land on the DL.
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McCann and Escobar are both out of tonight's lineup...McCann is feeling a little light-headed, which is likely a product of catching four straight days in the Atlanta heat...The Braves are saying Escobar's right hip is bothering him...But they're not publicly saying anything about his latest on-field display of immaturity. I'm going to write a new entry now talking about his decision to point into the press box and then sulk after being charged with an error on Thursday night.
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Boy i wish I had nine problems like Escobar. As opposed to a left fielder who is very "mature" and dogs it on defense in the outfield. A great team player who can't field and can't hit at second. A favored son reliever who is punching walls in the dugout. Two ground ball pitchers who pitch above the belt. Instead we have Yunel who plays hurt, plays hard every day, plays with trade rumours constantly swirling over him, hits everything with RISP and makes mental mistakes occaisonally. Like I said. I'll take nine of Escobar
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Lowe is worrying me whether he worries you or not, Bowman. He has looked ugly. He carries a hugge salary for a man his age.
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