[外電] Kuo gives NL a perfect set-up
11:07 PM PDT on Monday, July 12, 2010
By DAVID LASSEN
The Press-Enterprise
With the late addition of the Dodgers' Hong-Chih Kuo, the National League
roster includes three middle relievers, an All-Star rarity. There have only
been a dozen middle men so honored in the last decade.
"We need some left hands pitching in there," said NL manager Charlie Manuel,
"because I looked at the American League and they have some really good
left-hands hitters, and in the space of the game moving along, one part of
the ballgame, we might want to put some lefties on a couple of them."
The left-handed Kuo is 3-1 with a 0.99 and two saves in 26 games. Left-handed
hitters are 0 for 31 against him this season. Lefthander Arthur Rhodes of
Cincinnati is 3-3 with a 1.54 ERA and no saves in 41 appearances; left-handed
hitters are batting .204 against him. (Right-handers are batting .147).
The other middle reliever is right-hander Evan Meek of Pittsburgh, 4-3 with a
1.11 ERA and one save in 40 games.
The inclusion of three middle men is an accurate reflection of their
importance in the game, says Bud Black, the San Diego manager serving as a
National League coach.
"I think everybody in the game realized the importance of the guys who pitch
before the closer," Black said. "I think now ... there is a deserving
component to the set-up man, no doubt."
Still, Kuo never really expected to be included.
"I never thought about it," he said. "For me, it's like a bonus."
He has no idea if he'll get a chance to pitch, but won't be too disappointed
if it doesn't happen.
"As a reliever," he said, "you've got to be ready every day, right? Being
here is enough. If I get an opportunity to get in the game, I'll have fun,
but if not, I'm still enjoying the game."
http://www.pe.com/sports/breakout/stories/PE_Sports_Local_D_web_only_kuo
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