Post by #1 Jays Fan on Mar 21, 2008 20:01:46 GMT -5
LAKELAND, Fla. -- Tigers manager Jim Leyland knows Dontrelle Willis can succeed with his funky delivery. He just wants to see the same funky delivery each time.
Willis gave up five runs and seven hits with four walks in 3 1-3 innings in Detroit's 5-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday.
Willis didn't seem overly concerned. Leyland was, however, and said that Willis needs to develop more consistency. The left-hander, acquired with Miguel Cabrera during the off-season from the Florida Marlins, has a 6.59 earned run average and has been battling control problems.
"He's not doing his mechanics the right way," Leyland said. "I don't mind his funky delivery, but not all the different types of funkiness I've been seeing this spring."
Willis said he feels fine.
"When the season starts it will be OK. I need to get some work done with locating my pitches, but I don't see any problems," he said.
Willis's typical delivery is a chiropractic nightmare. He dips, raises his front leg, tucks his elbows, does a twist, and then delivers. It's a movement completely unique among major league pitchers, but it also resulted in Willis winning 22 games for the Marlins in 2005.
"Even if it is a funky delivery, repetition is important," Leyland said, "If he's consistent, that is fine. His command was so bad today. I am not concerned as long as he can find command of his fastball. If he can't, then, yes, I am concerned."
Reed Johnson and Shannon Stewart's competition for the vacant Blue Jays left field spot remained unsettled. Johnson had two hits, including a double.
He said that he knows to check the newspaper every day to see if he is still with the Blue Jays. It's a friendly rivalry with Stewart, but Johnson knows he has to keep producing.
"Shannon and I are happy and we can play well together," Johnson said. "I understand why they brought him in. They do that every year. I have sat in September when they have brought guys up. They always come back to me next year."
Johnson hit .236 for the Blue Jays in 79 games last year and spent two stints in the minor leagues. Stewart batted .290 in 146 games for the Oakland Athletics last season.
Blue Jays manager John Gibbons was quick to say that he hadn't made any decisions yet on the contest between Johnson and Stewart.
The Detroit bullpen, led by Zach Miner, Bobby Seay, Aquilino Lopez and Francis Beltran allowed only four hits in 5 2-3 scoreless innings.
Gary Sheffield and Ivan Rodriguez both homered for the Tigers.
Notes: Brandon Inge started at shortstop for the Tigers, the first time he has played there this spring. He has also caught, played third base, left field and centre field. Leyland said Inge has been impressive everywhere, and that Inge would also get a look at second base. ... The loss dropped the Tigers to 11-12 on the spring, and Leyland isn't happy. "I haven't been impressed the last few days," Leyland said. "We don't look like we are ready yet." ... One player Leyland has been impressed with is Rodriguez, who hit his Grapefruit League-leading seventh homer. "Pudge is looking a lot stronger than last spring," Leyland said. "When he stays in the strike zone he can hit .320. When he gets out of the strike zone, he doesn't hit.
Willis gave up five runs and seven hits with four walks in 3 1-3 innings in Detroit's 5-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday.
Willis didn't seem overly concerned. Leyland was, however, and said that Willis needs to develop more consistency. The left-hander, acquired with Miguel Cabrera during the off-season from the Florida Marlins, has a 6.59 earned run average and has been battling control problems.
"He's not doing his mechanics the right way," Leyland said. "I don't mind his funky delivery, but not all the different types of funkiness I've been seeing this spring."
Willis said he feels fine.
"When the season starts it will be OK. I need to get some work done with locating my pitches, but I don't see any problems," he said.
Willis's typical delivery is a chiropractic nightmare. He dips, raises his front leg, tucks his elbows, does a twist, and then delivers. It's a movement completely unique among major league pitchers, but it also resulted in Willis winning 22 games for the Marlins in 2005.
"Even if it is a funky delivery, repetition is important," Leyland said, "If he's consistent, that is fine. His command was so bad today. I am not concerned as long as he can find command of his fastball. If he can't, then, yes, I am concerned."
Reed Johnson and Shannon Stewart's competition for the vacant Blue Jays left field spot remained unsettled. Johnson had two hits, including a double.
He said that he knows to check the newspaper every day to see if he is still with the Blue Jays. It's a friendly rivalry with Stewart, but Johnson knows he has to keep producing.
"Shannon and I are happy and we can play well together," Johnson said. "I understand why they brought him in. They do that every year. I have sat in September when they have brought guys up. They always come back to me next year."
Johnson hit .236 for the Blue Jays in 79 games last year and spent two stints in the minor leagues. Stewart batted .290 in 146 games for the Oakland Athletics last season.
Blue Jays manager John Gibbons was quick to say that he hadn't made any decisions yet on the contest between Johnson and Stewart.
The Detroit bullpen, led by Zach Miner, Bobby Seay, Aquilino Lopez and Francis Beltran allowed only four hits in 5 2-3 scoreless innings.
Gary Sheffield and Ivan Rodriguez both homered for the Tigers.
Notes: Brandon Inge started at shortstop for the Tigers, the first time he has played there this spring. He has also caught, played third base, left field and centre field. Leyland said Inge has been impressive everywhere, and that Inge would also get a look at second base. ... The loss dropped the Tigers to 11-12 on the spring, and Leyland isn't happy. "I haven't been impressed the last few days," Leyland said. "We don't look like we are ready yet." ... One player Leyland has been impressed with is Rodriguez, who hit his Grapefruit League-leading seventh homer. "Pudge is looking a lot stronger than last spring," Leyland said. "When he stays in the strike zone he can hit .320. When he gets out of the strike zone, he doesn't hit.
