Notes: Carpenter hot in Spring Training
03/18/2006
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Chris Carpenter swears that Spring Training games are nothing like regular-season tilts. His manager asserts that part of the reason Carpenter has so much success in the spring is that he treats it just like the season.
Carpenter pitched five near-perfect innings on Saturday, holding the Orioles scoreless on two hits with three strikeouts and no walks. Out of 16 batters, three hit the ball to an outfielder.
The spiffy showing improved Carpenter's spring scoreless streak to 16 innings. He's made four starts and hasn't been touched for a run.
"I'm just trying to get ready to go," he said. "When the lights turn on on April 3, it's a lot different than it is down here. I'm happy with making pitches, and if I continue to make pitches the way I've been making pitches, I'll be fine."
Manager Tony La Russa marveled at Carpenter's sharpness.
"Mentally, he's concentrating really well," said La Russa. "He hasn't let anything get away from him. I think that's where it starts.
"I just don't think he's thinking Spring Training. I think he's thinking competition. He's worked hard to get himself in shape."
Coming off one of the finest years by a St. Louis pitcher in recent memory, Carpenter said that his bread-and-butter pitch -- his two-seam sinking fastball -- may be better than it was in 2005.
"I've been excited about my sinker all spring, because it's been better than it's been in the past," he said. "All spring it's been better than it was. I think it goes to arm strength and a couple more years off surgery."
Carpenter has two more starts remaining before the regular season begins.
Bigbie getting better: Though he was scratched from the trip to Fort Lauderdale, Larry Bigbie reported that his sore Achilles' tendon was feeling much better on Saturday. Bigbie, diagnosed with tendinitis, had actually hoped to make the trek to face his old team.
"I'm staying behind today, hopefully I'll get in tomorrow," he said. "I'm fine. It wasn't even a big deal. Not a major thing. I didn't think it was going to keep me out of playing much."
Bigbie's soreness is in his left ankle, the opposite leg from the one that bothered him for much of 2005.
Rincon's return: Left-hander Ricardo Rincon walked into the Cardinals clubhouse on Saturday morning and was a bit puzzled. He looked at where his locker was last located, and all he saw was a vacant row.
It's been a while since Rincon was last seen at Roger Dean Stadium, and during that time a number of players were cut and lockers were shifted around. In the meantime, Rincon pitched for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. But he returned to Florida on Friday night, and he's eager to get in some Grapefruit League games.
"I'm ready," said Rincon. "I'll maybe pitch tomorrow."
Rincon was busy, getting in four games during the tournament. He estimated that he needs five or six more games to be ready for the season.
Mexico went 1-2 in the second round of pool play, but the team scored a big win over Team USA in its final game. The loss sent the U.S. team home, but Rincon took no special satisfaction in eliminating the Americans. Rather, he was just delighted to don the red, green and white of his home country.
"It's very good to represent your country," he said. "Everybody who did play for Mexico is happy."
A win is a win: Puerto Rico was eliminated from the World Baseball Classic while the Dominican Republic plays on, but the Puerto Rican club did pick up some memorable wins along the way. The team of Yadier Molina and Jose Oquendo throttled Albert Pujols' Dominican team, 7-1, in Game 1 of the second round.
And don't think that won't lead to a little chatter in the clubhouse. When Pujols returns, he will find a little present. Hanging over his locker in Jupiter on Saturday morning was a large Puerto Rican flag with a note that read:
"Y quien es tu papa?And who is your daddy?"
For what it's worth, Molina pleaded innocence -- and wondered what Pujols' reaction will be upon his return.
Bits and pieces: David Eckstein returned to the lineup on Saturday after missing two games due to a stomach ailment. ... Through six appearances, Brian Falkenborg has yet to be charged with a run. ... Brian Daubach has nine RBIs in 24 at-bats. ... Sunday's game against the Braves will be carried on FOX Sports Net Midwest, and the Monday contest with Atlanta will air on ESPN.
Quotable: "I'd say the quality of his outings [is] as good as anybody around right now." -- La Russa, on Carpenter
Weather report: It's as though someone just left the forecast on "repeat." Sunday in Jupiter should be another beautiful day, with a high of 80 degrees, perhaps a few clouds rolling in later in the afternoon and zero chance of rain.
Source: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Chris Carpenter swears that Spring Training games are nothing like regular-season tilts. His manager asserts that part of the reason Carpenter has so much success in the spring is that he treats it just like the season.
Carpenter pitched five near-perfect innings on Saturday, holding the Orioles scoreless on two hits with three strikeouts and no walks. Out of 16 batters, three hit the ball to an outfielder.
The spiffy showing improved Carpenter's spring scoreless streak to 16 innings. He's made four starts and hasn't been touched for a run.
"I'm just trying to get ready to go," he said. "When the lights turn on on April 3, it's a lot different than it is down here. I'm happy with making pitches, and if I continue to make pitches the way I've been making pitches, I'll be fine."
Manager Tony La Russa marveled at Carpenter's sharpness.
"Mentally, he's concentrating really well," said La Russa. "He hasn't let anything get away from him. I think that's where it starts.
"I just don't think he's thinking Spring Training. I think he's thinking competition. He's worked hard to get himself in shape."
Coming off one of the finest years by a St. Louis pitcher in recent memory, Carpenter said that his bread-and-butter pitch -- his two-seam sinking fastball -- may be better than it was in 2005.
"I've been excited about my sinker all spring, because it's been better than it's been in the past," he said. "All spring it's been better than it was. I think it goes to arm strength and a couple more years off surgery."
Carpenter has two more starts remaining before the regular season begins.
Bigbie getting better: Though he was scratched from the trip to Fort Lauderdale, Larry Bigbie reported that his sore Achilles' tendon was feeling much better on Saturday. Bigbie, diagnosed with tendinitis, had actually hoped to make the trek to face his old team.
"I'm staying behind today, hopefully I'll get in tomorrow," he said. "I'm fine. It wasn't even a big deal. Not a major thing. I didn't think it was going to keep me out of playing much."
Bigbie's soreness is in his left ankle, the opposite leg from the one that bothered him for much of 2005.
Rincon's return: Left-hander Ricardo Rincon walked into the Cardinals clubhouse on Saturday morning and was a bit puzzled. He looked at where his locker was last located, and all he saw was a vacant row.
It's been a while since Rincon was last seen at Roger Dean Stadium, and during that time a number of players were cut and lockers were shifted around. In the meantime, Rincon pitched for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. But he returned to Florida on Friday night, and he's eager to get in some Grapefruit League games.
"I'm ready," said Rincon. "I'll maybe pitch tomorrow."
Rincon was busy, getting in four games during the tournament. He estimated that he needs five or six more games to be ready for the season.
Mexico went 1-2 in the second round of pool play, but the team scored a big win over Team USA in its final game. The loss sent the U.S. team home, but Rincon took no special satisfaction in eliminating the Americans. Rather, he was just delighted to don the red, green and white of his home country.
"It's very good to represent your country," he said. "Everybody who did play for Mexico is happy."
A win is a win: Puerto Rico was eliminated from the World Baseball Classic while the Dominican Republic plays on, but the Puerto Rican club did pick up some memorable wins along the way. The team of Yadier Molina and Jose Oquendo throttled Albert Pujols' Dominican team, 7-1, in Game 1 of the second round.
And don't think that won't lead to a little chatter in the clubhouse. When Pujols returns, he will find a little present. Hanging over his locker in Jupiter on Saturday morning was a large Puerto Rican flag with a note that read:
"Y quien es tu papa?And who is your daddy?"
For what it's worth, Molina pleaded innocence -- and wondered what Pujols' reaction will be upon his return.
Bits and pieces: David Eckstein returned to the lineup on Saturday after missing two games due to a stomach ailment. ... Through six appearances, Brian Falkenborg has yet to be charged with a run. ... Brian Daubach has nine RBIs in 24 at-bats. ... Sunday's game against the Braves will be carried on FOX Sports Net Midwest, and the Monday contest with Atlanta will air on ESPN.
Quotable: "I'd say the quality of his outings [is] as good as anybody around right now." -- La Russa, on Carpenter
Weather report: It's as though someone just left the forecast on "repeat." Sunday in Jupiter should be another beautiful day, with a high of 80 degrees, perhaps a few clouds rolling in later in the afternoon and zero chance of rain.
Source: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/
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