Prime Pitching Performances (And Alliteration!)

Let’s take a look at some of the notable pitching performances from yesterday. Take the numbers presented with a grain of salt – it is only one game after all – but it was a grand day for pitching storylines.

It might be safe to say Chris Carpenter is healthy, for now at least. Yesterday, Carpenter made his 2009 debut, throwing seven innings of one-hit ball against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Carpenter threw 92 pitches, inducing swinging strikes on 14 of those, about 15% while using his all of his pitches pretty well. Encouraging processes and results here.

Rick Porcello made his shortly-awaited major league debut. Five innings, 89 pitches, a walk, four strikeouts, and two homeruns allowed. Outside of the homeruns, Porcello did manage to get quite a bit of groundballs. Used his change and curve along with a ton of fastballs. Three swinging strikes, one on a curve.

A.J. Burnett’s first win as a Yankee as they avoid a sweep. Five and a third innings, six strikeouts, a walk, and a homerun. Tons of fastballs (averaged about 96 miles per hour, topped out near 98) and curveballs. A long third inning prevented Burnett from going deeper, although it did allow the Yankees to get Mariano Rivera some work.

Jarrod Washburn(!) went eight, as did Glenn Perkins, both striking out four and allowing five hits. The difference: Washburn gave up no runs, while Perkins gave up one. I guess Franklin Gutierrez and Endy Chavez are paying off already for Seattle.

Matt Garza gained notoriety for his performance in the ALCS against the Red Sox and faced off with them again yesterday. Seven innings, five Ks, and three walks were good enough for the win, as Daisuke Matsuzaka lasted five and a third, yielding three walks and three homeruns.

Kyle Davies and John Danks played dueling banjos through seven and six respectively, giving up three hits each and a few walks. Davies struck eight out, but found himself in the no decision barn right alongside Danks as the Royals edged the Southsiders.