Mike Minor frustrated after failing on the mound against Miami Marlins - MLB Update
Fans are concerned about the Atlanta Braves’ weak rotation right from start of the season. Calling into question preparations being made since last year September collapse, they want to see pitchers performing at par with their offence.
Game against the Miami Marlins proved another reminder of how easily the Braves’ pitchers can be roughed up.
Mike Minor stepped on the mound as starter and while initial few innings were terrific, he just lost his way in the fourth and fifth inning. His change-ups were landing straight on the bat and breaking balls were going all over the place.
What can be demoralising for Minor is the fact that the offence against which he struggled has been performing poor in the season. Being drawn six runs in around four innings is not a good sign.
While having a guilty conscious, he felt sorry for the fans on being unable to live up to their expectations. He rightly acknowledged the extent to which he was exasperating fans when things went beyond his control in the ballpark.
“I feel like I let the team down, I let myself down and the organization down, and the fans,” said Minor. “The fans don’t come to the ballpark to see me walk batters and go 3-2 on pitchers when they’re up to the plate.”
Braves’ manager Fredi Gonzalez however draws positives from his outing. Thinking that the game will become a lesson for him, Minor will come out improved next time, he maintains. Such experiences are necessary for a pitcher to start focusing on areas that
are overlooked otherwise, he elaborated.
“I’ve seen three, four solid innings and one big inning just kind of unravels on him,” Gonzalez said. “That’s just part of big league experience, getting through those innings and minimizing the damage. That comes with running him back and there and saying,
‘Hey, let’s get through it.’”
While the Braves’ pitchers have been mediocre, their offence has been effective and is the greatest reason of their dominance in National League East Division. To sustain dominance, the club will require quality starters, those who can throw seven to eight
innings tirelessly.
Minor will look to work out his control and make sure he will not be losing the plot under-pressure in upcoming games. By unlearning mistakes he committed in the last game, he can go a long way in restoring his best.
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