Javier Vazquez 2011: The Man With The Epic Turnaround

[jOOj]

There's a red & blue laser chance that we could.

[THE_REAL_MIBS]

So we could totally skip this guy if we wanted to, right?

We won't but we could.

Only way we could would involve throwing Ricky on short rest on Sunday. If we left JJ on regular rest, he would start Saturday but we would still need Vazquez for Sunday. Six of one, half dozen of the other.

[Mainge]

Yeah didn't think that through at all.

[jOOj]

Six dozen of each laser.

[THE_REAL_MIBS]

MIAMI GARDENS Javier Vazquez will make an important start Saturday against Tampa Bay, not only for his own future in the Marlins rotation but for the team’s well being.

Manager Edwin Rodriguez made it clear that the Marlins need Vazquez to get past his vexing first-inning struggles and settle in as the reliable inning-eater they expected when he was signed to a one-year, $7 million contract. There are no attractive options to replace him.

“If you look in the minor leagues, the guys we would think of are either hurt or are struggling. You look at our bullpen and there is nobody there that you could rely on for those starts,” Rodriguez said. “We planned on [Vazquez] being in the rotation, so we’re relying on him. The rotation you see out there, that’s the one we planned on, and we’re going to stay with that rotation to see how far it can take us.”


The first inning has been Vazquez’s undoing. He has given up first-inning runs in all eight of his starts – 15 altogether, including six in Sunday’s defeat in Washington. Vazquez has allowed a .488 average with a 15.75 ERA in the first inning compared to a .263 mark and 5.46 ERA the rest of the time.

Rodriguez said the problem appears more mental than mechanical.

“Maybe he needs to be more aggressive with his secondary pitches. He’s trying to be perfect with those secondary pitches and he gets behind in the count and is getting hurt,” Rodriguez said. “You can tell his body language is saying that. Let’s try to get through this first inning and get some confidence.”

Pitching coach Randy St. Claire said Vazquez didn’t pitch as poorly as the six-run first inning against the Nationals suggested.

“The first inning he made some good pitches to the first few hitters. They reach on bloops, a bunt base hit. Then the wheels start to fall of,” St.Claire said. “He almost got out of it, got a ground ball not hit hard enough to turn two. It’s kind of one of those things, you’re in a little funk and you can’t seem to get through that first time through [the lineup].”

Vazquez’s velocity has been down in the past year from his prime, but he has been effective at times this season. He retired nine of the last 11 hitters he faced in his four innings against the Nationals.

The Marlins will have their fingers crossed in the first inning Saturday against the Rays at Sun Life Stadium. There’s no help readily available down on the farm that inspires confidence as a viable alternative.

Florida State-product Elih Villaneuva was the most effective young pitcher during spring training, St. Claire said, but he has struggled at Triple-A New Orleans, 4-4 with a 6.18 ERA in nine starts. Tom Koehler is 4-0, 3.16, but the best of the Zephyrs has been right-hander Jay Buente, who wasn’t even in the rotation at the beginning of the season. Buente is 3-0 with a 1.94 ERA that leads the Pacific Coast League.

Buente had a 6.55 ERA in eight relief appearances with the Marlins last season. He walked 11 in 11 innings.

“Buente has been throwing the best out of all of them down there,” St. Claire said. “His walks have always been an issue. He’s not walking guys.”

But Buente is not a likely choice to ride in and fill a void in the Marlins rotation. The onus is on Vazquez to do that.

“He’s going to have to step up, he’s going to have to make adjustments,” Rodriguez said.

No help on the way if Vazquez can't overcome first inning woes

[Erick]

That's dumb; I bet Tom Koehler could do better.

[Namaste]

The opening total on the game tommorow is 8


If you have any off shore account, anywhere. Bet the over.

c'mon one time

[THE_REAL_MIBS]

I wonder if Buente does well in his two spot starts for JJ if he would stay if Vazquez continues to struggle.

[Miamarlin21]

I wonder if Buente does well in his two spot starts for JJ if he would stay if Vazquez continues to struggle.

That's very possible.

[Omar]

Hehehehehe

[Chewford]

Forward movement!

[Swifty]

Sort of dumb question that I can't find an answer to: is any of his $$ deferred?

[MiamiHomer]

joecapMARLINS joe capozzi
Javier Vazquez gets out of the jam, has now tossed a #Marlins record 25 consecutive scoreless innings (Pat Rapp 24 2/3 in 1995)

...

[Ralph]

He's been amazing.

[Chewford]

Now that's what I call forward movement!