Detwiler improves as Potomac loses
Jason Hornick/News & Messenger
Potomac’s Dan Lyons fields a ball hit by a Myrtle Beach batter at Pfitzner Stadium.
Advertisement
Text size: small | medium | large
By Joe Conroy
Published: July 3, 2008
After struggling at Myrtle Beach in his last start when he walked a career-high seven, Detwiler looked sharp facing the Pelicans this time around.
The Nationals’ No. 2 overall prospect labored through the first two innings Thursday night at G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium, but when Detwiler found his rhythm, there was not much Myrtle Beach could do to counter him.
The 2007 first-round pick allowed just four runs — all scored in the first two frames — struck out four and issued just one walk over his six innings of work. Detwiler retired 11 straight from the third inning into the start of the seventh when he gave way to Atahualpa Severino after a lead off single.
Unfortunately for the Missouri State-product, those four runs were all the Pelicans needed to hand the P-Nats a defeat but they added four more in the ninth for an 8-3 final.
“Tonight he was aggressively throwing the ball in the zone,” said Potomac pitching coach Randy Tomlin. “The thing he did very well was he made an adjustment to how they were approaching their hitting. He started pitching to both sides of the plate and changed speeds.
“I think it was very positive tonight and very good,” Tomlin added. “Hopefully we can build on this and he can take off.”
Detwiler (5-5) was beginning to look less like a future major league ace than originally projected before last night’s outing. The 6-foot-5 hurler entered the game with a 5.86 ERA and has not won a start since June 9 against Winston-Salem.
At the beginning of the season Detwiler was expected to be on the fast track in the system in 2008, spending minimal time with the High-A club. Instead, he’s been one of the biggest enigmas in the organization with pitchers Jordan Zimmermann, Cory VanAllen, Adrian Alaniz, Craig Stam-men and Justin Jones earning promotions to Double-A before Detwiler this season.
“It’s real good to see him throwing the ball over the plate and give up just one walk,” Tomlin said. “He was more in control of himself and he controlled the ball better. He had good stuff at the beginning of the game but he got just a few pitches up. He threw the ball well and settled down. He kept us in the game.”
NOTE: Jones was called up after going 3-1 with a 1.48 ERA in four games. Taking his spot on Po-tomac’s roster is Zack Segovia, a 2002 second round draft pick who spent his first six years in the Phillies organization. Segovia joins Potomac from Low-A Hagerstown. He made one start for the Suns.
Can't find what you're looking for? Try our quick search:
