Kris Medlen hopes an adjustment he made in the bullpen will help his command when he takes the mound Thursday night against the Nationals. Medlen has struggled to consistently hit the inside corner to left-handed hitters, and away to righties, and it’s cost him.
He gave up a season-high five runs on 10 hits in a loss to the Tigers his last start. He’s an uncharacteristic 1-3 in five starts, despite a 3.26 ERA.
Medlen said pitching coach Roger McDowell pinpointed the problem during a bullpen session Tuesday. He was landing so that his legs were firing in the wrong direction on pitches to that part of the plate. He said McDowell stood a few yards away from Medlen, giving him a reference point, and then ducked out of the way as Medlen released the pitch.
One time was all Medlen said he needed to get the feel back.
“The first one I threw when he did that was right where I wanted it, just like last year,” Medlen said. “Felt good. Effortless. Next pitch I told him to get out of the way. Did it once, next two, same exact thing. I was like I’m done. Just lock it in.”
