LAKELAND, Fla. -- Nate Robertson is getting better with
experience.
Robertson pitched five sharp innings Sunday, leading the Detroit
Tigers to a 6-0 victory over Tampa Bay in a split-squad game. The
left-hander limited the Devil Rays to a pair of singles while
reducing his ERA to 0.73 through four spring starts. He struck out
four and walked one.
"You have to be careful in spring training not to put a lot of
stock into when somebody does good," Detroit manager Jim Leyland
said, "but he's throwing the ball extremely well."
Robertson was most pleased with his efficiency, which enabled
him to put in more work in the bullpen before calling it a day.
"As long as I'm not going deep in counts and issuing free
passes," he said, "and keeping my pitch count down -- those are
all good things."
Last season, Robertson posted career bests with 13 wins and 208
2-3 innings to help the Tigers win the AL pennant. Pitching coach
Chuck Hernandez attributes the improvement to experience.
"He came a long way in one year, I think more than anything
from the mental aspect of the game," Hernandez said. "A lot of
times, it takes those three or four years to really feel like you
know exactly what you want to do and what your plan is when you go
out there."
Robertson agreed.
"Experience is huge," he said, "and you get more comfortable.
And it's knowing coming in that you have your job."
Robertson's opponent on the mound Sunday might soon secure a job
of his own in Tampa Bay's rotation.
J.P. Howell has a 1.80 ERA through five spring appearances, but
the left-hander insists he isn't dwelling on the competition.
"I'm not trying to consider that at all," he said. "It takes
the fun out of it. It's fun to compete and all, but it's out of my
hands, really."
Howell held the Tigers to one run and three hits in three
innings. He hurt himself in the first with a wild pitch.
"I may not throw 95, but what I've got is enough," Howell
said. "If I keep telling myself that and believing it, like I am,
maybe now or someday down the road it will turn out to be good."
Game notes
Tigers INF Placido Polanco ranks among the Grapefruit
League leaders with 17 hits. With two singles, he was the only
Tiger with more than one hit against the Devil Rays. ... Detroit C
Ivan Rodriguez was given the day off. ... Monday is the only open
date on the spring training schedule for Tampa Bay. ... Tigers LHP
Edward Campusano left the team's split-squad game against Atlanta
with discomfort in his pitching elbow. He will be evaluated further
on Monday in Lakeland.