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Control meltdown keeps White puzzled

In 13 fourth-inning pitches, he walks one, hits three and throws two wild ones.

By MARC TOPKIN

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 24, 2001

KISSIMMEE -- It was obvious Friday -- painfully obvious to three Astros -- that pitcher Matt White is still not right.

The Rays held White out of exhibition games for three weeks in an attempt to remedy undisclosed flaws in his delivery, but his return performance made it clear he has considerably more work to do.

White threw 13 pitches to six batters in the fourth inning, and it wasn't pretty. He gave up two singles and a walk, then hit his last three in a four-pitch span. He also threw two wild pitches and twice knocked down Charlie Hayes with balls that were high and inside in a 10-2 loss to Houston.

What seems unclear is the exact nature of the problem.

White said it was a matter of his mental approach, of not being aggressive enough. Catcher John Flaherty said it appeared to be clearly a mechanical breakdown. Manager Larry Rothschild said there is an obvious lack of command and a problem with White's release point, but that the source of the woes has yet to be determined.

"I think it's just being aggressive," White said. "When I block everything out and just worry about attacking hitters, then things fall right into place. You can't blame things on mechanics or whatever. That's old news. I've been dealing with that for two-three years. It's just one of those things where you've got to take the mental battle and win it."

Rothschild said "you always have to be aware" of problems with the mental aspect of the game, but the Rays seem to be concentrating more on correcting physical flaws in the 22-year-old's delivery.

"Obviously it's release point," Rothschild said. "Where that comes from is what we have to figure out."

Flaherty said he noticed White opening his right shoulder and dragging his arm, a somewhat common problem with pitchers that causes the ball to be up-and-in to right-handed hitters.

"Obviously I'm not the guy out there throwing the ball, but from my standpoint I see a mechanical flaw that needs to be straightened out," Flaherty said. "When you're missing in the same spot, that tells you something. I know he's been working on it. It's not something that's going to happen overnight. It's going to take him a little time."

Rays officials felt White, who had been climbing slowly through the farm system after signing for $10.2-million as a 1996 draft loophole free agent, had made significant progress last season. He moved up to Double-A Orlando and then Triple-A Durham, posting a combined record of 10-8 with a 3.54 ERA, and came into spring training with an outside chance to make the big-league team.

But Rothschild said he noticed early in camp that something was not right. White threw two innings in the exhibition against Notre Dame, giving up three hits and walking three. He was then limited to bullpen sessions, often at the minor-league complex, and pitching in some early morning simulated games. The Rays said he showed progress, enough that they thought he was ready to return to game action.

Rothschild said he had not decided what the next step would be for White. Reassignment to the minor-league camp, where White can pitch without the added glare of fans and media attention, seems likely.

"It's obviously command and getting himself back in command of what he's doing," Rothschild said. "It showed up today and because the circumstances changed, it takes on a different context."

White was nervous when he went to the mound to start the fourth inning, Flaherty said, and quickly ran into trouble.

Richard Hidalgo took one pitch for a ball then singled to left. White knocked down Hayes with the next pitch, bounced a wild pitch, knocked down Hayes again with another wild pitch, then threw him ball four away.

Jeff Reed slapped a 1-and-1 pitch to right for a run-scoring single. Pitcher Scott Elarton squared to bunt, but White hit him in the left shoulder. He hit Julio Lugo with the next pitch. After throwing a strike to Craig Biggio, drawing mock cheers from the Osceola County Stadium crowd of 2,263, White hit Biggio and sent him sprawling with his final pitch.

Biggio was more sympathetic to White's problems than upset. "Right there you just have to hope for that guy that he's okay," Biggio said. "He's trying and you just have to hope he comes out of it."

White, more upbeat than despondent, said he was confident he would.

"I'll be all right," White said. "I'll work hard this week and I'll get through it because that's the way I am. I'm a hard worker and I'll get through things."

Today -- Rays (ss) Paul Wilson vs. Toronto's Steve Parris, Florida Power Park, 1:05 p.m.

Today -- Rays (ss) Albie Lopez vs. Atlanta's Tom Glavine, Disney Wide World of Sports, Lake Buena Vista, 1:05.

Sunday -- Rays Ryan Rupe vs. Texas Darren Oliver, Charlotte Country Stadium, 1:05 p.m.

Monday -- Rays Travis Harper vs. Minnesota TBA, Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers, 1:05 p.m.

Tuesday -- Rays Bryan Rekar vs. Kansas City TBA, Florida Power Park, 1:05 p.m.

The Rays play two games today. One squad hosts the Blue Jays at Florida Power Park (180 Second Ave. SE) at 1:05 p.m. The other travels to Disney for a 1:05 p.m. makeup game against the Braves.

Keep an eye on ...

Paul Wilson, who hasn't allowed a run in nine spring innings, is scheduled to start the home game.

"It wasn't for lack of effort. You have a 33-year-old catcher trying to get them up and down, and it didn't happen."

-- JOHN FLAHERTY, on trying, unsuccessfully, to score from second on Jason Standridge's single.

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