Scott Kazmir 'Loses' Homecoming Game

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 4, 2009 12:30 AM EDT

Scott Kazmir 2009, edition 2, issue 2

The raw results glow. 99 pitches over five innings with six strikeouts, a walk, and a homerun allowed. That's not too bad. Before I provide the velocity information, let me include a note about Arlington's pitchfx readings. It seems the flat mound or machine or something there leads to velocity readers being a few miles per hour lower than in other stadiums. So Kazmir "sat" around 91-92, but in reality, may have sat closer to 92-93.

To Kazmir's credit his pitches found the zone and the backstop's netting all night, resulting in 60%+ strikes on just about every one of his pitches. His change-up sat ~79-82, slider 81-84, two-seamer 87-92, and ... curve 84. Yes, he actually threw a pitch that registers as a curve, and it looks a lot like David Price's spike curve. I'm not sure if it's intentional, something new, or what.

Kazmir had 12 whiffs through 75 pitches and only induced one over the next 24. 12/75 is ridiculous, and basically 13% overall is pretty good. I would caution reading too much into these numbers, as they're inflated by hack masters like Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Chris Davis. Take those two out of the equation and Kazmir registers six. Still good, but facing the Rangers can inflate your swinging strike rates pretty quickly when Davis and Salty are active.

This didn't seem like a good match-up for Kazmir. The Rangers lineup was predominately right-handed and in a ballpark known for homeruns, Kazmir's fly ball tendencies were less than encouraging. He fared well and used the entire plate against the righties, making his big mistake against lefty Hank Blalock - a slider up and away.

There are some areas of improvement Kazmir can work towards, but let's be honest, this is a lot better than what Kazmir was doing in April.

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"This is a lot better than what Kazmir was doing in April"

Sir, I think that may be the understatement of the year.

by Zach Attack on Jul 4, 2009 2:24 AM EDT reply actions

3 ER over 5 innings that's typical 2008 Kazmir

He was good, the offense just decided to take an extra day off i guess.

by acablue on Jul 4, 2009 9:11 AM EDT reply actions

Try 1 ER

by Raymondo on Jul 4, 2009 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Offense has been more 'off' than on lately

by Raymondo on Jul 4, 2009 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Partially true..

There last ten have been:

10, 1, 7, 10, 7, 3, 5, 4, 4, 0

It’s a little low at 5.1 runs per game, but the spread isn’t terrible.

by tallyray on Jul 4, 2009 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions

In 'lately' i was focusing on the last five

baserunning has been killing them

getting picked off and ‘losing’ a fly ball into a DP are getting troublesome

by Raymondo on Jul 4, 2009 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions

and you forgot last night, where Tommy 'Catfish' Hunter dominated them

by Raymondo on Jul 4, 2009 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions

With some help from an expanded zone, at least it seemed

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by FreeZorilla on Jul 4, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions

yes it was but i didn't see a difference when Kaz was out there

and besides, Hunter had done nothing till last night

by Raymondo on Jul 4, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions

2 starts so far

and his pitch patterns are definitely changing. Has thrown his 4FB under 50% in both starts so far whereas he was pushing 60% before hitting the DL.

Dockoftherays.com

by Jason Collette on Jul 4, 2009 10:49 AM EDT reply actions

Much better

Only 1 ER for Kaz..the other 2 .a walk and an error on Zobrist…Our pitching staff is starting to get in a groove,but where the heck are our bats…1 run in the last 2 games..ouch…and I’m not sure what is going on with Longo..I think he has only one hit in the last week.GO get um David..

by electriclott on Jul 4, 2009 11:06 AM EDT reply actions