Monday, March 8, 2010

Maddon happy with Garza

PORT CHARLOTTE - Matt Garza did plenty to impress Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon on Monday.
What was most impressive, however, was what Garza didn't do - he didn't walk anyone.
The righty threw a spring-high three innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates, striking out five and allowing three hits during the Rays' 4-3, 10-inning win at Charlotte Sports Park.
"Garza looked really good," Maddon said. "He was definitely in the zone right from the first inning.
"He was throwing strikes, they weren't just chasing pitches. He looked good."
Garza fanned the side in the first inning and added one each in the second and third innings.
"It's just throwing the ball over the plate, let the hitter get themselves out," Garza said. "I don't try to pitch to contact - that's why I don't give up a lot of hits. Just throw the ball over the plate, throw purposeful strikes and throw purposeful pitches instead of just wasting pitches and getting my pitch count up."

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