Pitt Gorilla
03-02-2007, 01:04 AM
From kcroyals.com
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Brian Bannister wanted to make a good first impression. He certainly did.
Bannister, who was acquired by the Royals in a December trade with the Mets, threw 14 strikes in 17 pitches, working two scoreless innings against the Angels in the Spring Training opener. He gave up one single, struck out one and walked none.
"That is the way I try to pitch," Bannister said. "You read in every article that I'm no more than a fourth or fifth starter, that I don't have good stuff. I enjoy that because I just go out there and try to get the job done.
"It is not flashy. I make the hitters think. I hit my spots. I'm aggressive. I try to get outs early in the count and get deep into the game. Obviously, it is not the Nolan Ryan approach."
Or the approach of his father, Floyd, who pitched 15 seasons in the Majors including two years for the Royals?
"It is not 95 [miles per hour] from the left side," Brian said with a laugh.
Brian takes more the Greg Maddux approach?
"That is what kind of pitcher I am," Bannister said. "That is what I want to come out and do, throw that first-pitch strike and get ahead. I know hitters are trying to track."
Bannister had flu-like symptoms earlier in the week.
"I've been cutting back on my running the last couple of days to make sure I get healthy," Bannister said. "It worked out because I did feel good today. I've been pretty run down the last couple of days."
Soria shines: Joakim Soria, a Rule 5 Draft pick from the Padres, pitched two hitless innings after Bannister departed.
"I'm happy," Soria said. "I waited all my life for this time, to be here in the Major Leagues. It is Spring Training, but it is the same. It is the Major Leagues. I try to do good."
Soria threw a slow breaking ball past Shea Hillenbrand for a called third strike in the fourth.
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Brian Bannister wanted to make a good first impression. He certainly did.
Bannister, who was acquired by the Royals in a December trade with the Mets, threw 14 strikes in 17 pitches, working two scoreless innings against the Angels in the Spring Training opener. He gave up one single, struck out one and walked none.
"That is the way I try to pitch," Bannister said. "You read in every article that I'm no more than a fourth or fifth starter, that I don't have good stuff. I enjoy that because I just go out there and try to get the job done.
"It is not flashy. I make the hitters think. I hit my spots. I'm aggressive. I try to get outs early in the count and get deep into the game. Obviously, it is not the Nolan Ryan approach."
Or the approach of his father, Floyd, who pitched 15 seasons in the Majors including two years for the Royals?
"It is not 95 [miles per hour] from the left side," Brian said with a laugh.
Brian takes more the Greg Maddux approach?
"That is what kind of pitcher I am," Bannister said. "That is what I want to come out and do, throw that first-pitch strike and get ahead. I know hitters are trying to track."
Bannister had flu-like symptoms earlier in the week.
"I've been cutting back on my running the last couple of days to make sure I get healthy," Bannister said. "It worked out because I did feel good today. I've been pretty run down the last couple of days."
Soria shines: Joakim Soria, a Rule 5 Draft pick from the Padres, pitched two hitless innings after Bannister departed.
"I'm happy," Soria said. "I waited all my life for this time, to be here in the Major Leagues. It is Spring Training, but it is the same. It is the Major Leagues. I try to do good."
Soria threw a slow breaking ball past Shea Hillenbrand for a called third strike in the fourth.