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June 11, 2008
Pike Progressing
The move was made out of necessity and nothing else. Rather than bring right-hander Barry Hertzler back on three days rest at Southern Maryland May 21, Bluefish manager Tommy John opted to use reliever Matt Pike in the role of spot starter.
Five starts later, Pike is still in the rotation and still progressing. He assembled his best start this season Tuesday in helping lead the Bluefish back into first place in the Liberty Division with a 3-2 victory over the Camden Riversharks.
Pike (5-1) allowed two runs and seven hits, struck out four, walked two and threw a season-high 109 pitches in a career-high seven innings. He had twice worked 6 2/3 innings in back-to-back starts at Billing in the Pioneer League (Rookie ball) June 22 and 28, 2001.
``He sinks the ball and he’s got a good split-finger, a good breaking ball,’’ John said. ``Like I told him, the only thing that he’s got to work on is he’s got to get his (pitching) hand up. When his hand gets down then everything kind of shoots up. I said other than that he threw the ball well.’’
Pike (5-1) had not made a start since Aug. 23, 2002 for Tampa in the Class A Florida State League and he had made just 17 starts in 168 career appearances prior to this season. Entering play Wednesday, he was tied for second in the Atlantic League in wins.
Pike, who led the independent Canadian-American League with a career-high 24 saves at Atlantic City last season, has won his last two starts as he continues to get stretched out. He threw 103 pitches over six innings in a win at Newark June 4 before eclipsing both marks Tuesday.
It had been 133 appearances since Pike worked as many as six innings.
``(I’m) just getting used to the starting role again,’’ Pike said. ``I think that’s five starts now so I’m just starting to get in a groove, trying to pace myself a little bit as opposed to a reliever where you come in and you just have to really be fired up and just go all out. I’m starting to learn a little bit how to step into that new role.’’
Rich
Posted by Elliott on June 11, 2008 6:54 PM
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