Saturday, July 14, 2001
Indians' rookie pitcher has it all over Reds'
By JOE KAY
AP Sports Writer
Call it C.C. Sabathia's best learning experience yet. The imposing rookie struck out a career-high 11 Reds and even got over his jitters about facing boyhood idol Ken Griffey Jr. — all in one night.
The left-hander who's built like a linebacker bowled over a puny lineup and led Cleveland to a 5-1 victory Friday night in front of a pro-Indians crowd at Cinergy Field.
Robbie Alomar drew the loudest ovation with a three-run homer in the third, when the Indians took control. Sabathia took it from there, holding the Reds to four hits in 6 2-3 innings while giving the most dominating performance by a Cleveland rookie in seven years.
“He was nasty,” said Alex Ochoa, who extended his slump to 0-for-30. “He was throwing in the upper 90s and had a good slider and changeup. The first time you see a guy like that, it can be tough.”
Sabathia (8-3) wants to be just as tough the second and third times around.
He showed a rookie's inconsistency in the first half, after an unexpected promotion to the majors. The Indians fretted that they were rushing the 20-year-old, who had never pitched above Double-A.
The Reds have used four pitchers from Double-A this year and none has a winning record.
Turns out, it was the right time for a big jump for Sabathia.
“He's learned a lot about pitching,” manager Charlie Manuel said. “He's become a pitcher. Certainly he's a little better than I thought he'd be. If he could have given us five consistent innings, I would have been satisfied because we were grooming him at the major league level.”
Sabathia still feels like a rookie at times — like in the first inning Friday night, when Griffey came to bat.
“It was weird facing Griffey,” he said. “He was my favorite player growing up. In that first at-bat, I was a little nervous.”
The 6-foot-7, 260-pound pitcher was so unnerved that he hit him with a two-strike fastball. Griffey had an RBI single his next time up in the third.
When they faced each other again in the sixth, a little personal history was on the line. Sabathia went to a full count, then reared back and threw a fastball past Griffey for his ninth strikeout, a career high.
He finished with 11 strikeouts, matching Chuck Finley for the most by an Indians pitcher this season and the most by an Indians rookie since Albie Lopez fanned 11 Tigers in 1994.
Sabathia didn't know how many strikeouts he had, but he knew what they meant.
“I think maybe those guys weren't seeing the ball today,” he said. “My fastball got up there pretty good.”
Indians Notes: The Indians lead their intrastate series 13-10. They're 8-3 at Cinergy Field since interleague play began in 1997. ... Jim Thome extended his hitting streak to six games (12-for-21 with five homers). ... Dessens has gone 1-5 in his last seven starts with a 5.79 ERA.
Reds Stories
Sprague leads truck field at Speedway
Hendrick's son making name for himself
Lineup for tonight's truck race
Kimmel claims ARCA race
ARCA race results
Bonds Watch: No homers
Met finalists may look familiar
Met tennis results, schedule
Vehr says China Olympics helps Cincinnati's chances
City champ Gerwin adds 2nd Ohio Am golf title
Ohio Amateur golf scores
Celebrity Classic is today, Sunday
Women's Public Links tee times
Edgewood coach converted dream to fieldhouse
• Return to Reds front page...
Indians' rookie pitcher has it all over Reds'