Post by TestSubjekt on Aug 19, 2006 11:37:41 GMT -5
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - After joining Whitey Ford as the only AL rookies to win their first nine decisions as a starter, Jered Weaver was well aware of the significance of his company.
Weaver, a lanky six-foot-seven, 205-pounder with a deceptive delivery, held Seattle to three singles over seven innings in the Los Angeles Angels' 3-0 victory Friday night.
The 23-year-old Weaver, who lowered his ERA in 12 starts to 1.95, took his record-tying feat in stride.
"It's great to be mentioned in the same sentence with Whitey Ford," said Weaver, who added that he's familiar with the accomplishments of Ford, who set the record with the New York Yankees in 1950.
"I didn't expect anything like that," Weaver said. "It's great, but now I've got to start thinking about how to get that 10th win."
Angels bench coach Ron Roenicke, sharing the managing duties with pitching coach Bud Black while manager Mike Scioscia serves a three-game suspension, continues to be impressed by the right-hander.
"I don't know if I've seen a young guy who throws up so many zeros. Even if he has an off night, they might get one or two runs," Roenicke said. "They just do not see the ball well against him."
Seattle manager Mike Hargrove agreed.
"The guy's awfully good. He hides the ball really well and there's a lot of deception," he said. "He commands his fastball real well and he's a tough prospect to hit, plain and simple.
"He's got a (1.95) ERA right now, and you don't get those by accident."
Adrian Beltre, who went 0-for-2 against Weaver and was hit by a pitch by the Angels' right-hander, said, "He kind of hides the ball a little bit and his delivery is a little funky. And he throws a lot of strikes. He throws it on the outside corner and it looks like a ball, so you take it and it's a strike."
Others to win at least their first nine decisions as starters were Livan Hernandez, nine for Florida before losing in 1997; Kirk Rueter, with 10 victories for Montreal in 1993-94; Ford with nine; and the New York Giants' Hooks Wiltse, who went 12-0 in 1904 before losing.
Weaver won his first seven starts, including a 7-1 victory over Hernandez and the Mariners on July 3, then had three consecutive no-decisions before he beat the Yankees on Sunday. Only Wiltse had a better record than Weaver through 12 major league starts.
Weaver, a lanky six-foot-seven, 205-pounder with a deceptive delivery, held Seattle to three singles over seven innings in the Los Angeles Angels' 3-0 victory Friday night.
The 23-year-old Weaver, who lowered his ERA in 12 starts to 1.95, took his record-tying feat in stride.
"It's great to be mentioned in the same sentence with Whitey Ford," said Weaver, who added that he's familiar with the accomplishments of Ford, who set the record with the New York Yankees in 1950.
"I didn't expect anything like that," Weaver said. "It's great, but now I've got to start thinking about how to get that 10th win."
Angels bench coach Ron Roenicke, sharing the managing duties with pitching coach Bud Black while manager Mike Scioscia serves a three-game suspension, continues to be impressed by the right-hander.
"I don't know if I've seen a young guy who throws up so many zeros. Even if he has an off night, they might get one or two runs," Roenicke said. "They just do not see the ball well against him."
Seattle manager Mike Hargrove agreed.
"The guy's awfully good. He hides the ball really well and there's a lot of deception," he said. "He commands his fastball real well and he's a tough prospect to hit, plain and simple.
"He's got a (1.95) ERA right now, and you don't get those by accident."
Adrian Beltre, who went 0-for-2 against Weaver and was hit by a pitch by the Angels' right-hander, said, "He kind of hides the ball a little bit and his delivery is a little funky. And he throws a lot of strikes. He throws it on the outside corner and it looks like a ball, so you take it and it's a strike."
Others to win at least their first nine decisions as starters were Livan Hernandez, nine for Florida before losing in 1997; Kirk Rueter, with 10 victories for Montreal in 1993-94; Ford with nine; and the New York Giants' Hooks Wiltse, who went 12-0 in 1904 before losing.
Weaver won his first seven starts, including a 7-1 victory over Hernandez and the Mariners on July 3, then had three consecutive no-decisions before he beat the Yankees on Sunday. Only Wiltse had a better record than Weaver through 12 major league starts.
That's quite the accomplishment. Is he really this good? or do you think teams will eventually figure him out?