MLB 09 "Road to the Show" Summer on the AAA bus pt. 1 - N51_rob's Blog

N51_rob's Blog

MLB 09 "Road to the Show" Summer on the AAA bus pt. 1

Posted on March 9, 2009 at 06:40 PM.

(0)

After a terrible stretch that saw Rich Robinson go 1-4 with a 5.13 ERA in May. I focused and decided that I needed to really pay attention to what I was doing on the bump. This isn't AA ball anymore and I want to make it to the show. Besides I'm pitching in that Nationals organization how hard could it be? With a new focus on handling lefties and a new drive to get my numbers respectable again we entered June.

Finally! I beat the Durham Bulls. These guys have been all over me since I got to AAA. It was like I was tipping pitches. They were hitting me for power and average. Not to mention when my offense can't hit it makes things difficult. Well I guess all the start aligned for me after the horrendous run of last month. I went 6, struck out 7, gave up 7 hits and 3 ER in my last inning before handing the pen a 1 run lead to hold for me. They came through for me again. So far, so good!
5 wins 4 losses

The good feeling from that game lasted about 5 days. The Louisville Bats were quick to ensure that I didn't get to feeling too good about my teammates and my record for too long. This wasn't a bad game for me. Like many games this year. I pitched a good not great game, had the offense showed up who knows. It was also one of those frustrating games whee your defense lets you down and leaves you feeling helpless on the hill. The Bats scored 3 runs while I was pitching, 1 was earned. Those are the worst feelings. It didn't help that we scored 3 runs total, 2 in the 1st and 1 in the 9th. Not good as I take the fall and move to 5-5 on the year.
Another wasted start

So I was feeling a little bit down, but my spirits were high for my next start. I despite going 1-1 I was pitching really well. I was getting that old feeling of being unhittable again. I just needed something to bring it all together. I wouldn't quite find it in my 13th start of the year. It would actually be more of a replay of the Bats game. I pitched a great game and again my offense let me down for the most part. I had what would be arguably my best start in AAA thus far. 7 innings, 5 hits, 0 runs scored and 3 K's. The end result a no decision as the my team only managed to gather 5 hits and one of them was from your truly.
1-0 ND to the Braves

Touched up, but not roughed up. Man this was a hard, hard start. It was also the first time that my teammates picked my up in a long, long time. Playing the Norfolk Tides on the road. These guys were locked in, but so was I more or less. This was a very weird outing for me. 3.2 innings pitched, 8 hits, and only 2 ER against. Why you ask. Foul balls. These guys left me physically drained. I only went 3.2, but I pitched with everything that I had. Literally I threw 7 or more pitches to 6 batters. It was rough. Total pitches: 83. I was pissed that I got yanked, but in hindsight the team won the game 8-2 and I'm sure that I didn't have a lot left if I were going to try to get the win. Gotta think team first. But I was proud of my team. 8 hits and only 2 runs and they scored 8?!?! I am scared though that they used up my monthly allowance of run support in one game.
Quick Work.

So I stand at 5-5 but the ERA and WHIP have been coming down and I'm feeling good again. Who knows what is left for me in the summer. I am currently the #4 pitcher and based off last year the big club called the top 3 guys up in the rotation last season, so I would think that I am close to being there. It's been a struggle, but it has been fun and I'm feeling better about my pitching. I also haven't had to add a 5th pitch yet to handle lefties, but I'm reading "The Yankee Years" and the thought of having a Mo Rivera type cutter getting in on the hands of lefties is quite tempting....