Kudos To Tomko

by timlacy on Apr 6, 2008 7:04 PM EDT

In ST threads, I was a persistent skeptic of placing Tomko in the rotation. His brief relief appearance last week didn't make me feel any better. But here's today's line:

Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	PC-ST	ERA
B Tomko (W, 1-0)	5.0	6	0	0	1	3	0	92-58	1.29

All I can say is this: I'm happy to be wrong. The ESPN summary noted that Tomko started (no pun intended) strong like this last year and then faded. Let's hope history doesn't repeat itself---or else I'll renew my calls for Hochevar. - TL

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I hope Tomko keeps it up

I hope he keeps pitching something like this. I have a feeling he'll give up a run eventually.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Apr 6, 2008 7:18 PM EDT reply actions

A question about the above stat line

How do you give up 0 runs in 5 innings and have a 1.29 ERA? Only Brett Tomko could manage that.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Apr 6, 2008 7:19 PM EDT reply actions

Oh yeah

Seconds later I remembered his 1 run in 2 ip in his opening day relief appearance.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Apr 6, 2008 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions

strikes

1st, it seemed he was in the strike zone most of the day.

2nd, from watching the replay - and skipping around a bit - it seemed like he might have been more effective (ie no 13 pitches to mauer, no 51 through 3) if he had thrown his "new" curveball more often.

by kcinstl on Apr 6, 2008 8:25 PM EDT reply actions

92 pitches in 5 innings indicates...

...he wasn't necessarily around the strike zone a lot. It looks to me like he had a fair number of 2-2 and 3-2 counts. And the article indicated that the Twins worked the count quite a bit. ...Actually, I admire the anti-Dusty strategizing: it looks like the Twins hoped to clog the bases and frustrate Tomko. - TL

by timlacy on Apr 6, 2008 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions

re strikes

my view may have been enforced by watching the first inning all the way through and then sort of skipping around through the game as i watched the replay....

the mauer at bat in the 1st was quite an ab and we were awfully lucky to get the out.

by kcinstl on Apr 6, 2008 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions

pitch count

Tomko's pitch count was also run up by a couple of very long at-bats--he and Mauer had it out in that 13-pitch duel, and I think there were a couple other instances of 7-8 pitch at-bats. Tomko only gave up one walk in five innings, which is nothing to sneeze at. At this point so early in the season, 5 innings of shutout ball is great, even if it takes 90+ pitches to get there.

by DarthYoshi on Apr 7, 2008 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions

He threw 58 of those pitches for strikes, which is a 63% strike rate.

63% is right in line with the ideal rate (66%). He threw the same percentage of strikes as Bannister's last start and a higher percentage than Greinke's last start.

Also, can Hochevar (last outing: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 HR, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K) string together a few good outings first before the threats of "let's bring him up" talk begin?

by Gopherballs on Apr 7, 2008 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

sort of a random place for this idea

but since this seems to be a little recap of the game:

what are the odds that gload plays 120 + games at first?

will teahen get some playing time there once dejesus is back? i certainly hope so.

i'll need to see a full season of gload exploding to be confident of our lineup with him at first on a daily basis.

by kcinstl on Apr 6, 2008 8:28 PM EDT reply actions

Tomko

pitched a good game. He's definitely an upgrade over the JDLR's of the world. I think he will be an adequate fifth starter until Hochevar and some of the other pitching prospects are ready. For a placeholder, we could do much worse.

by lordbyronk on Apr 7, 2008 8:16 AM EDT reply actions

Good outing for Tomko

Hope we see more like that. But I won't get too excited out of one start.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Apr 7, 2008 10:32 AM EDT reply actions

Consistency is a key for Tomko

In the fifth starter role, I have low expectations. If Tomko can go 5-6 innings and keep the Royals in the game, then he has done a good job. It may not always be as strong a start as this one but he can grind out innings and give the Royals a chance to win.

by daveyork on Apr 7, 2008 12:48 PM EDT reply actions