GOODYEAR, ARIZ.: Indians starter Derek Lowe is a fast worker on the mound. He has a reason for speeding up the pitching process, but sometimes he’s too quick for his own good.
“I’ve watched the game over the years,” he said. “I listen to the position players. I want them to make the plays.”
To help them along, Lowe doesn’t waste time between pitches, because he doesn’t want infielders’ minds to wander; he doesn’t want them back on their heels.
“But sometimes I work too fast,” Lowe said. “It’s something I have to watch out for. But I need the guys to be ready. The only hitter I strike out is the pitcher [in the National League]. I can’t do that this year.”
On the importance of his sinker, “Without it, I’m working at McDonald’s supersizing your value meal.”
What, no slider?
“I can’t throw a slider for the life of me,” Lowe said.
Notable numbers
Michael Brantley .280, 25 at-bats; Asdrubal Cabrera .200, 30 AB; Russ Canzler .355, 31 AB; Lonnie Chisenhall .231, 26 AB; Shin-Soo Choo .300, two home runs, four RBI, 30 AB; Jason Donald .217, 23 AB; Shelley Duncan .217, three HR, 10 RBI, 23 AB; Travis Hafner .360, one HR, 25 AB; Jack Hannahan .222, one HR, five RBI, 18 AB; Jason Kipnis .250, one HR, five RBI, 32 AB; Casey Kotchman .294, 17 AB; Matt LaPorta .182, 22 AB; Jose Lopez .417, two HR, six RBI, 24 AB; Lou Marson .462, 13 AB; Carlos Santana .188, two HR, five RBI, 32 AB; Ryan Spilborghs .214, 28 AB.
Jeremy Accardo 1.80 ERA, 5.0 innings pitched; Jeanmar Gomez 0.00 ERA, 11.0 IP; Nick Hagadone 1.29 ERA, 7.0 IP; Frank Herrmann 6.43 ERA, 7.0 IP; David Huff 5.73 ERA, 9‚ IP; Ubaldo Jimenez 9.31 ERA, 9‚ IP; Derek Lowe 4.00 ERA, 9.0 IP; Justin Masterson 7.56 ERA, 8· IP; Zach McAllister 4.50 ERA, 6.0 IP; Vinnie Pestano 0.00 ERA, 7· IP; Chris Ray 12.86 ERA, 7.0 IP; Chris Seddon 3.38 ERA, 5· IP; Tony Sipp 10.80 ERA, 5.0 IP; Kevin Slowey 5.63 ERA, 8.0 IP; Joe Smith 3.00 ERA, 6.0 IP; Josh Tomlin 10.50 ERA, 12.0 IP; Dan Wheeler 12.00 ERA, 6.0 IP.
Marching onward
The Indians play the San Francisco Giants at Goodyear Ballpark today. Kevin Slowey will start against Eric Surkamp, with Tony Sipp, Frank Herrmann, Jeremy Accardo, Rafael Perez and Robinson Tejeda throwing out of the bullpen. For Perez and Tejeda, it will be their first appearance in an exhibition game after nursing injuries for virtually all of spring training.
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at http://www.ohio.com/tribematters. Follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/SheldonOckerABJ and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/sports.abj.
