Latest loss leaves Izzy worried
05/10/2008
Rather than rationalize his fourth loss, Isringhausen suggested a meeting today with manager Tony La Russa, pitching coach Dave Duncan and general manager John Mozeliak to find at least a temporary alternative to using him in the ninth inning.
"I'm just getting sick of embarrassing myself and letting my team down," Isringhausen said.
Isringhausen fumbled only two of 34 save chances last season after hip surgery in 2006. He admits now that he's lost.
"I remember in '06, I had an explanation; I just wasn't telling anybody. Now, I don't have an explanation," he said. "I'm just pitching like a second grader."
La Russa, Duncan and Isringhausen insist there is no physical problem. Poor mechanics are apparently the reason.
"There's nothing wrong with his stuff," said Duncan. "He's just not making pitches. That can be corrected."
La Russa confirmed a meeting today but thought the aftermath of a brutal loss was no time for further discussion. Isringhausen took time immediately after the loss to make known his feelings.
"It's just time for them to figure out — we should have five more games in the win column, in my mind. So we should be out there in first place even more," Isringhausen said. "They can't keep sending me out there when I'm pitching the way I'm pitching. We're going to have to figure out some kind of remedy. I'm sure that remedy will give me some time off from that role and we'll get somebody in who can do a better job right now."
Few players shoulder more weight than Isringhausen, considered a team leader as well as a staff bulwark. When he is cut, the wound is felt universally.
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I'm leading the league in saves (11) and blown saves (5) with an ERA of (7.47). It's not a whole lot of fun, especially when you let down 25 guys day in and day out. It's the end of it," he said.
STLtoday - Latest loss leaves Izzy worried