News
Romero paying attention to mechanics
Toronto (30-26) vs. Kansas City (23-30), 7:07 p.m. ET
By Erika Gilbert / MLB.com
06/04/09 7:55 PM ET
TORONTO -- Ricky Romero hasn't been himself in his last couple of starts. He's struggled to find his rhythm since coming back from a right oblique strain -- something he's been working on since his last outing.After his start against Boston on Sunday, Romero said he planned to work on his mechanics using a drill performed with pitching coach Brad Arnsberg. The drill involves whipping a towel forward as if it were a baseball, which provides resistance without putting as much strain on the arm as throwing a baseball.
"We've done it once or twice this week to get ready for tomorrow," Romero said on Thursday. "It just mimics the mechanics a little bit. Obviously, it's different from when you have a ball on your hand, but it's a thing where you can try and find rhythm and get extended.
"It's something that I like to do, even before I play catch. I'll go out there and work on my lines, staying straight, and it's where I'm actually able to correct myself ... because when you're on the mound, I have to worry about, 'Oh, where am I landing?' and this and that."
The left-handed rookie got out to an impressive start to his Major League career, going 2-1 while averaging seven innings per start in his first three games, in which he gave up only four earned runs and one home run.
Then, on April 23, Romero was placed on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to April 20) after he strained his right oblique while sneezing. He made his return on May 26 and in his two starts since then, he has given up 10 earned runs and five home runs, while pitching only 9 1/3 innings in both games combined.
"I feel like my pitches haven't been as sharp as they were," Romero said. "The fastball hasn't been as good, the changeup -- it all comes from starting to build that rhythm again.
"I haven't been very good at locating. I've left a couple of pitches up. I've given up five home runs in my last two outings, and it's been all pitches that should be hit, especially by big league hitters."
Romero said the mechanics are improving, and physically, he feels good.
"It's coming along pretty good, and it's just something I don't want to have to worry about when I'm pitching out there. It's feeling good right now.
"It's not something that I'm worried about right now. I'll be fine."
Pitching matchupTOR: LHP Ricky Romero (2-2, 4.15 ERA)
Romero lost his second consecutive start since coming off the disabled list with an oblique strain, giving up five runs -- all earned -- on five hits against the Red Sox on Sunday at Rogers Centre. He lasted only four-plus innings -- his shortest outing of the season -- and was taken out of the game after walking the first two batters he faced in the fifth. He issued five walks and threw one wild pitch, and only 50 of his 91 pitches were strikes. Much of the damage came via the long ball, as Romero gave up a solo shot to Boston's Kevin Youkilis in the first and a three-run homer in the fourth. Romero has never faced the Royals. KC: RHP Zack Greinke (8-1, 1.10 ERA)
Greinke wasn't his usual dominant self in his last start, but he was still pretty good. Greinke's command was erratic at times, but he managed to bear down for seven innings, allowing just three earned runs. The Royals right-hander struck out seven, improving his season total to 88, and didn't allow a walk. Greinke drew a no-decision but still hasn't allowed a home run since Sept. 2, 2008, a span of 110 innings. Greinke has faced Toronto once this season, allowing two runs in seven innings in an 11-3 victory on April 29 at Kauffman Stadium. Only three of Greinke's 11 starts have come on the road, and his only loss came on the road against the Angels on May 9. Bird Feed
Adam Lind went 5-for-5 on Thursday, and has now had eight hits in as many at-bats. That ties a club record held by Rance Mulliniks, Paul Molitor, and Tony Fernandez. ... Alex Rios struck out five times on Thursday -- and for the seventh time in his last seven at-bats -- as he tied his own club record for most strikeouts in a nine-inning game, set on July 24, 2006 against Oakland. ... With Brian Tallet's five-run, six-inning performance on Thursday, he ended a run of six consecutive quality starts. ... Dirk Hayhurst made his Blue Jays debut on Thursday, allowing two hits and striking out two in one inning. ... Catcher Rod Barajas' stolen base on Thursday was his first of the season and the second in his career. ... Lyle Overbay extended his season-high hitting streak to 10 games with his fourth-inning single on Thursday. He is hitting .418 over those 10 games. Tickets
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• Saturday: Blue Jays (Scott Richmond, 4-2, 3.50) vs. Royals (Luke Hochevar, 0-2, 10.80), 1:07 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Blue Jays (Roy Halladay, 9-1, 2.77) vs. Royals (Kyle Davies, 2-5, 5.20), 1:07 p.m. ET
• Monday: Blue Jays (Casey Janssen, 1-2, 5.82) at Rangers (Scott Feldman, 5-0, 3.79), 8:05 p.m. ET
Erika Gilbert is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
