Rick Porcello shines as Detroit Tigers tie with Miami Marlins 3-3 – MLB Spring Training
Rick Porcello had a solid outing in Detroit Tigers 3-3 draw with Miami Marlins at the Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida on Monday, March 26
in a Grapefruit League game of the 2012 Major League Baseball Spring Training Session.
The starting pitcher was unable to make the most of available opportunities last season. For his 4.75 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 2011, Porcello received a great deal of criticism. However, the guy has shown definite signs of improvements since the start of this
spring.
Supporting his bid to claim the second starting spot on Tigers’ pitching rotation, Porcello pitched with great control and accuracy on Monday to help his team secure a tie with the Marlins.
Allowing just one earned run and five hits over seven innings pitched, he played a key role in deciding the outcome of the encounter. It will be interesting to see if Porcello can continue his impressive form throughout this season to assist Tigers’ ace
and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander.
"He's grown up out there," Leyland said. "He's learned to deal with the good, the bad and the ugly. It's not easy, but he's always handled it well."
"I feel mentally and physically ready right now for opening day," Porcello said. "It won't hurt to learn as much as I can before opening day, but I am ready to go now."
Porcello’s 1.59 ERA in five spring starts suggests that he has worked hard on his throwing technique. If the starter can put up similar numbers during the regular season, he will deserve the available starting spot.
Mark Buehrle also displayed some high quality pitching skills over six innings. Marlins’ starter has struggled with a poor 7.30 ERA this spring. He had a decent time with Chicago White Sox last season.
"I really made one bad pitch and it was hit out of the park," Buehrle said. "I was hitting my spots and feel good. I felt good in my last inning and I could have gone another."
It was fifth tie for the Tigers this spring. It seems Jim Leyland and his men will have to work out a method to cross the winning line.
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