[antidan444]

August 25, 2013 (Corpus Christi at San Antonio)

I got a good night's sleep, had a big breakfast, then wrote down some goals for my start, knowing I wanted to make a good impression and that this was an important opportunity for me:

1. No walks!
2. Trust your stuff and challenge hitters, especially early in counts to try to get deeper into game.
3. You're going to give up hits. Don't get discouraged.

I really wanted to do well, to make them think twice about putting me back in the bullpen. I want to be a starter. I also know there's a fair amount of "He's going to be a bust" talk out there, and while I can't blame them, I wanted to shut them up, at least for a day.

First inning: I got off to a good start, allowing only a harmless two-out single and getting through the frame on 12 pitches.

Second: I threw a piss-poor 1-2 sinker to the second hitter and he launched it over the wall in center. I told myself, "It's only one run, shake it off." After the next hitter singled, I retired the next two to get out of the inning on 24 pitches.

Third: A good duel with the leadoff guy ended with a single on the eighth pitch. I only needed one more to get a sweet 1-6-3 double play, and a 5-3 groundout got me back into the dugout. Another nice 12-pitch inning.

Fourth: I gave up another leadoff single on the first pitch, then gave him two poor pickoff throws to set him up for my A+ move, and he fell for the trap. I struck out the next guy on a circle change and got out of the inning on a groundout to second. An 8-pitch inning!

Fifth: I gave up a one-out double on a terrible 0-2 pitch, but otherwise had no problems getting through the inning on 12 pitches (68 through five). At this point, I had more than met both my goals and the manager's.

Sixth: I gave up a run on a one-out single and a two-out RBI double on an intentionally fat 3-2 sinker. I should have given up another run but our center fielder made an amazing catch in the deep gap to rob another double (at least) for the third out.

Seventh: I gave up another leadoff single, then got two flyouts to left (the first was a pretty good running catch near the wall) before the manager came to get me. He patted me on the back and said, "Hell of a start, kid." I got some high fives in the dugout, too. The reliever retired the next guy to end the inning.

I left with the game tied at 2, but they scored a run in the eighth to win it. My final line: 6 2/3 innings (above expectations), 9 hits allowed, 2 earned runs, ZERO WALKS, 2 strikeouts, and the ability to walk off the field with my head held high.

It got better after the game, when I was told the tentative plan is to keep me in the rotation. That could change at any time, but for now, I'll take it.