DODGERS NOTEBOOK: LESS THINKING, MORE SUCCESS.Byline: Tony Jackson
Anthony (Antonio) Jackson, best known as Tony Jackson Staff Writer VERO BEACH Vero Beach (vēr`o), city (1990 pop. 17,350), seat of Indian River co., E Fla., on Indian River (a lagoon and part of the Intracoastal Waterway); founded c.1888, inc. 1919. , Fla. - Brett Tomko Brett Daniel Tomko[1] (born April 7, 1973 in Euclid, Ohio)[2] is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres, who previously played for the Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, St. came to the Dodgers with the reputation of being a classic paralysis-by-analysis guy. But this spring, the notorious overthinker has shifted his focus to one of pitching's most basic principles. ``I'm just attacking the strike zone, trying not to fall behind guys and trying to get strike one,'' the veteran right-hander said. ``Over the course of my career, I have had more success when I pound the strike zone and don't tink around too much trying to hit corners.'' In three Grapefruit League starts - including the five shutout innings he threw in Sunday's 7-0 victory over the Houston Astros “Astros” redirects here. For other uses, see Astros (disambiguation). The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team based in Houston, Texas. The team is in the Central Division of the National League. in front of 4,672 at Holman Stadium There are at least two sports venues called Holman Stadium:
More important, perhaps, is his remarkable pitch efficiency. In retiring six consecutive Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From to the present, the Braves have played in Turner Field. on March 3, Tomko threw so few pitches that he then had to throw in the bullpen to reach his allotment. He was scheduled for four innings against the Astros, but had thrown so few pitches at that point that manager Grady Little William Grady Little (born March 30, 1950 in Abilene, Texas) is a manager in Major League Baseball. He guided the Boston Red Sox from 2002 to 2003, and has been manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2006. gave him the option of going five, something no other Dodgers pitcher has done this spring. ``A first-pitch offspeed might not be your best pitch,'' Tomko said. ``But if it results in a one-pitch at-bat, that can make a lot of difference. It made the difference today between going four and five innings. During the season, it can make the difference between seven and eight innings, and that can save your bullpen.'' --Also: Closer Eric Gagne made his second appearance of the spring, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless sixth. ... The Dodgers optioned pitcher Jose Diaz to the minors and reassigned pitchers Kurt Ainsworth and Justin Orenduff to minor-league camp, leaving 49 players still in big-league camp. Tony Jackson,(818) 713-3675 tony.jackson(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): box Box: BEYOND THE BOX SCORE - Tony Jackson |
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