Brian34Cook

05.18.2008 9:01 pm
Notes on Sunday’s Scorecard: Perez Impresses
By Bernie Miklasz

Rookie closer Chris Perez wiped out the Rays in the ninth, disposing three hitters on five pitches. He got three harmless fly balls and picked up his first big-league win when the Cardinals scored in the bottom of the ninth. Perez throws fastballs in the middle-upper 90s. He has a slider that he can deliver at two different speeds; the slower one serves as a wicked changeup. And he’s a big guy who has an imposing demeanor on the mound. “He’s nasty,” Tampa outfielder Carl Crawford said.

Manager Tony La Russa is quickly becoming a fan. “If he can repeat what he’s done for the last couple of days for the rest of his career, he’s going to be special,” TLR said. “He’s come in against a very good team, and he’s made pitches. The ball hasn’t been thrown all over the place. It’s been at or near the catcher’s mitt, with good stuff. I mean, that’s a tie game in the ninth and he handled it very well.”

Since May 11, Glaus is 13 for 30 (.433) with a .541 OBP and a .667 SLG…

Since April 28, Cesar Izturis is 18 for 54 (.333) with a .400 OBP … and in the field, Izturis has a revised zone rating of .874; in the NL only Atlanta’s Yunel Escobar has a better RZR among full-time shortstops.

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