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Thursday, June 1, 2006
A Ray of hope
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The more others struggle in the Braves’ bullpen, the more Death Ray’s performance stands out.
Kenny Ray pitched a perfect ninth inning Wednesday with two strikeouts in a blowout against Los Dodgers. Lest anyone point out how much easier it is to pitch with a six-run lead in a game that’s over, keep in mind at certain other Braves relievers have coughed up leads almost that large lately. Ray’s pitched basically the same regardless of the situation. If they’re not Padres, they’re not scoring on him, apparently.
We’ve done our part in advocating Ray for the closer job for, oh, a month now. And in the past couple of weeks, his role has morphed into a co-closer thing, whether it’s officially called that or not.
Ray has a 1.38 ERA and .182 opponents’ average in 26 appearances, numbers that would have fit in nicely with that juggernaut 2002 Braves bullpen, but numbers that scream for attention in this, uh, well, decidedly less proficient ‘pen.
He gave up four runs, five hits and two walks in two appearances against the Padres on April 16 and May 22. In Death Ray’s other 24 games, he’s allowed - pause for effect - 11 hits and ZERO runs in 25 innings, with 10 walks and 17 strikeouts. Not bad for a journeyman who hadn’t pitched in the majors since 1999 and was stuck in some independent league on the Jersey Shore or some such place last season until the Braves signed him and sent him to Richmond.
But by now you probably know the back story on the former Roswell High pitcher. Just want to again point out that, one-third of the way into the season, he’s still doing it, maybe better than ever.
Could he keep it up as a full-time closer? Don’t know, but Braves may need to find out, depending whether they can trade for someone else before July 31 - and no, before the question’s asked, I’m hearing nothing of report-worthy trade rumors. Teams just aren’t ready to dump closer-ready guys at this point, but give it a few more weeks and that should change as a few teams fall by the wayside.
Now, couple other matters: Braves bullpen has slipped to third-worst in the NL in ERA (4.89), with a league-high 12 blown saves in 25 chances. Only Giants relievers, with 91, have fewer strkeouts than the Braves (108) in the NL. And the Braves relievers have 84 walks to go with it, not at all a good combination.
Mets relievers, by comparison, have a 3.46 ERA with 182 strikeouts and 67 walks. But a couple of Mets relievers also been overworked, so we’ll see how long they can keep up this pace.
Here’s a really damning stat, in my view: In close and late situations, only the Giants (.299) have a higher opponents’ average than Braves relievers (.296), and only the Marlins (.446) have allowed a higher slugging percentage in those spots than the Braves (.443). Yikes.
Now, a couple of you asked about Lance Cormier. Again, a misinformed rumor run amok. He didn’t refuse to report to Richmond, nothing of the sort. He was OPTIONED to Richmond, not designated for assignment. He had options left, one of the reasons the Braves liked him and Villarreal (also has options) when they traded for them in exchange for Estrada. Gave them flexibility in case those guys weren’t ready this year.
The bad rumor probably stemmed from another, actual fact: Travis Smith, the journeyman pitcher, refused an assignment to Richmond, which he had the right to do as an old dude with no options left. That’s why Braves had to designate him for assignment. He opted to become a free agent, and at last check, no one’s signed him yet.
One other thing: Cormier, much as some may want to portray otherwise, had not pitched well lately. Not since the side strain that eventually landed him on the DL. In his last nine appearances sandwiched around that May DL stint, Cormier allowed 12 hits, 13 runs and 12 walks in 10 innings (11.70 ERA). Folks, that’s just not good. He gave up at least one run in seven of those 10 outings.
So let’s not act so confused or shocked that he got sent down, just because the timing seemed odd to some, coming after he allowed one run in 3-2/3 innings the night before. He also gave up three hits and three walks in that less-than-perfect outing, but was moved because the Braves wanted to bring up Tyler Yates.
While Cormier’s struggles weren’t exactly Kolbian in scope - and yes, I may have to update that reference here soon, if you know what I mean - Cormier was hardly Death Ray’s sidekick as bullpen saviors.
Hey, and might as well address the Tim Hudson rumor, since a couple of folks are going to ask about it each day as long as it sits growing mold on the ESPN rumor mill site (and it will sit there for a long time, count on it). Braves aren’t and haven’t talked to teams about dealing Hudson, and the only way - ONLY WAY - he might be traded is if Braves fell out of playoff contention before July 31. Period. Even then, I don’t think he’d be dealt because John S. would never move him for anything less than a huge return package.
OK, gotta get ready and get out to the ballpark. The surging D-Backs in town for four. Braves better watch out. These guys are seriously putting it together, and their lineup is solid almost top-to-bottom.
