Torn: hurlers need to pitch in
August 21, 1998
VALENCIA— Washington Bobwhites manager Rip Torn follows the mantra that pitching wins championships.
“We need to see our pitching step up if we’re going to make any ground in the division or the playoff hunt, nevermind do anything in the post-season,” Torn said in a press conference after a 3-0 loss to the Valencia Stars last night.
Torn said that while he was “content” with last night’s pitching efforts, in which starter Doc Windgate gave up three runs in seven-plus innings, the team’s pitching overall has left something to be desired.
Washington’s staff has posted a 4.82 ERA thus far, the third worst in the Johnson League and fourth worst in all of baseball. Opponents have hit .290 against the Bobwhites, significantly higher than the league average of .272.
Shane Christen, as expected, has been the most productive member of the Bobwhites staff. The 27-year-old has gone 9-6 with a 3.64 ERA with 133 strikeouts in 21 starts, throwing 150 2/3 innings so far.
“I sure as hell won’t to point the finger at Shane, and it isn’t fair to expect him to carry this team,” said Torn. “He’s done an admirable job, but there is room for improvement across the board.”
Christen’s 3.64 ERA is the highest in his time with Washington, and the highest since he posted a 4.46 ERA with the Birmingham Bandits in 1993. He had a difficult month of June, going 0-3 with a 4.81 ERA in five starts, hurting his overall numbers.
Outside of Christen, the most reliable starting pitcher this season has been Hugh Wiggins, owner of a 7-7 record and 4.32 ERA last year. Wiggins is just 6-6 with a 5.40 ERA in 19 starts this season, and has thus far posted a hefty 6.35 ERA in the month of July.
Gus Cantrell is on pace to lose 17 games for Washington, a dubious number if the club expects to make a playoff run. Cantrell is 5-10 with a 5.95 ERA in 19 starts, and is coming off a 6-8 season in which he posted a big 6.73 ERA.
Windgate has made just three starts for Washington this year, having worked in the rotation for the club’s AAA affiliate in Montgomery. Owner of a 3-7 record and 5.66 ERA in 15 games with the Bobwhites last season, Windgate has kept his team in games but has failed to impress overall. He allowed four runs in six innings en route to a no decision on July 3, got the win after allowing five runs in 5 2/3 innings on July 15, and most recently suffered a loss in his best outing of the season, allowing three runs in seven innings on the mound.
Kevin McAdam has failed to put together any real success as a starting pitcher after making 35 relief appearances to open the season, through which he had posted a 4.06 ERA. Since joining the rotation, he is 1-4 with a 9.39 ERA in five starts.
Southpaw Paul Kindel, bumped from the rotation, may be soon reclaiming his regular turn in McAdam’s place. Kindel is 5-5 with a 4.86 ERA in 34 games, including 12 starts. He was 2-5 with a 5.11 ERA when he was pulled from the rotation, but has gone 3-0 with a 4.43 ERA since joining the bullpen in early June.
“We’re going to give Kevin another start and see where things go,” said Torn. “He’s coming off his first win as a starter and we’ll see if he can build any momentum before we take Pauly out of the bullpen, where he’s been pretty effective for us.”
In his brief time with the club, Bernardo Gravito has been quite effective for the Bobwhites. The 29-year-old, whose only other big league experience came with the Des Moines Kernels in 1996, has posted a 2.19 ERA in 12 1/3 innings out of the Washington bullpen so far.
Not so effective, however, is southpaw Ryan Karp. The 27-year-old has made 33 appearances, including a pair of starts, but has posted a ridiculous 11.74 ERA and 2.54 WHIP in 30 2/3 innings. Opponents have hit .368 against the former top prospect.
“Things have not worked out as planned so far,” Torn said of his pitching staff. “It happens, unfortunately. It’s my job to make sure it stops.”
