http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASAp...414&content_id=709333&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp Guess that 54.00 ERA isn't something they liked....I wonder why?
Best news I've heard since we signed Clemens and Pettitte haha. Man It sure would nice to have Robertson or Hernandez. I guess Duckworth will be the spot starter now. I remember Fernandez killed us a couple years ago when he was with the Reds. Oh well, I sure wont miss him.
Weather problems Although he has struggled during his first two outings this season, knuckleballer Jared Fernandez says he has executed his knuckleball well. He blamed the cold conditions Monday for giving up three hits, three walks and four runs in 1/3 of an inning in the spot start. He has given up six runs in one inning for a 54.00 ERA. "It's coming out of my hand perfectly," Fernandez said of his knuckleball. "I hate to talk about the weather, but there's no resistance." Fernandez pointed out that fellow knuckleballers Tim Wakefield and Steve Sparks also have had rough outings this year. "I feel good and have the same mechanics that I did coming out of Florida," he said. A good knuckleball is supposed to float uncontrollably as it reaches the plate because it has no spin, but Fernandez's knuckleball didn't fool many batters in his first two outings.
They said on the TV broadcast last night that Gallo went 6-up, 6-down in his last outing. That's encouraging because Gerry and Jimy wanted him to work on being more effective againt right-handed hitters and I would assume that he faced at least a couple righties in those 6 batters.
The thing that bugs me is... Fernandez obviously knows what weather he "can" pitch in and what weather he "can't." Thus... if he knew that the cold was going to effect the knuckler, why the hell did he trot out there and try to pitch? There's no adjustments that HE can make (as he was so quick to point out... "its not my fault... its the weather."). He could have saved us a lot of worry, and saved our bullpen a little more, had he just simply told Jimy to start Duckworth in St. Louis if its cold.
Exactly. A Pitcher has to tell the manager. But I can also understand why he wouldn't. it was his shot so you have to take it. It's tough to say I can't go when this is your one shot to impress.
fernandez will be fine.....he just needs to go down and work on his mechanics a lil.....good to see Gallo back in the fold....I love the luxury of havin a left hander in the lineup
Fernandez= Moochie Norris of the Astros. The Astros will be better because of releasing this turd from their bowels.
He should give up on the knuckleball and learn to throw some heat. Besides Wilhelm and Niekro, I can only think of Wakefield when it comes to any pitcher throwing the knuckleball with any success.
Jimy Williams should take some of the blame levelled against Jared for stupidly pitching a knuckle baller under that weather condition. Yes the onus was on Jared to through strikes regardless but Jimy has no excuse for not starting Duckworth under those conditions. It was a boneheader move and it almost backfired (perspectively speaking). It was a bad experiment that needed not be. Jared should be ashamed of himself for his part in letting his team mates and coach down. He could not throw a freaking strike to save his behing. Good freaking riddance!!! Glad to see a lefty in the bully. I really like what Gallo gave to us last year. Now the dilema now is who will be sent down to tripple A when Andy comes back? Gallo, Backe or Bruntlet?
