[討論] Tigers reliever Fu-Te Ni thrills with pitching,
Tigers reliever Fu-Te Ni thrills with pitching, impersonations of
teammates
by Steve Kornacki
Friday August 07, 2009, 8:48 PM
AP File Photo
In his first six weeks with the Tigers, Fu-Te Ni has compiled a 2.25 ERA
and become a reliable left-hander out of the bullpen. He also does a mean
impression of Bobby Seay.
DETROIT -- Taiwanese reliever Fu-Te Ni has posted some fairly impressive
pitching statistics and gotten out some pretty impressive hitters in his
first six weeks with the Detroit Tigers.
Ni has a 2.25 ERA with three walks and 15 strikeouts in 16 innings and has
become a reliable left-hander out of the bullpen.
His effectiveness allows Tigers manager Jim Leyland to use him in earlier
innings and save southpaw Bobby Seay for later on in games.
"He's not afraid," Leyland said. "That's what I like about him. He's got a
little hitch in his giddy-up."
Leyland also likes Ni's sense of humor, in particular his impersonations
of teammates. Tigers bullpen coach Jeff Jones got him into Leyland's
office to do his take on Seay.
"He mocks Bobby Seay and it's funny," Leyland said. "It made me laugh."
Ni did it for reporters as well, complete with a circling of the mound,
tapping his right foot and delivering with the same body rotation.
Seay is Ni's favorite to impersonate, but he also demonstrated Placido
Polanco's bat waggling.
"He's got me down pat," Seay said. "He can do anybody. He's great."
Seay also appreciates what Ni does on the mound.
"He knows how to be a professional up here," Seay said. "And he knows he
has to get big outs at big times."
Ni got dangerous Baltimore Orioles slugger Luke Scott to snuff out a rally
Thursday and retired the heart of Baltimore's lineup in order -- Nick
Markakis, Adam Jones, Aubrey Huff and Melvin Mora -- on Tuesday night.
Ni got out Grady Sizemore and Asdrubal Cabrera Sunday at Cleveland,
striking out four in 1 2/3 innings.
In the latest series at Minnesota, he twice kept the Twins' one-two punch
of left-handed Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau off the basepaths.
"I just tried to do what my coaches wanted," Ni said through his
interpreter.
So, he hit his spots against them?
"I only hit my spots some of the time with them," Ni said, smiling.
Did he get lucky?
"Yeah," he said, smiling even bigger. But he also stressed he is not
satisfied.
"I need to make each pitch better," Ni said. "I just keep trying to
improve myself, and I am learning things."
One of the keys has been distinguishing who the tough hitters are. For
instance, after striking out the first batter he faced in the major
leagues, Jason Giambi, at Oakland, Ni had no idea who he was.
"Now, I am understanding who I am facing," Ni said. "I am learning the
hitters to stay away from with pitches."
Leyland said there is "room for improvement" on Ni's breaking ball, but
added, "I like him a lot. He has good learning power. He's a great kid."
Twins add Pavano
Minnesota acquired Carl Pavano from the Cleveland Indians on Friday for a
player to be named later. Pavano is 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA against Detroit
this season but 6-8 with a 6.16 ERA against everyone else. He started
Friday against the Tigers.
"With Cleveland, he had our number," Detroit right fielder Magglio Ordonez
said. "Now, he's with the Twins, and maybe things will turn around. We'll
see."
Infielder Ramon Santiago added: "That's all going to change tomorrow."
Pavano is aggressive and throws strikes.
"We definitely have to be aggressive with him," third baseman Brandon Inge
said.
The new 'Rod'
There are efforts in the clubhouse to pin a nickname on Tigers closer
Fernando Rodney, who says he "feels like a monster" coming in from the
bullpen. So, Rod-zilla has been suggested, while Seay likes F-Rod.
Rodney laughed when the F-Rod suggestion was relayed. He said he has never
had a nickname, but is OK with whatever anyone decides.
Interest in Smoltz, Giambi?
It's doubtful the Tigers will have interest in pitcher John Smoltz (2-5,
8.52 ERA), who was designated for assignment Friday by the Boston Red Sox,
or Giambi (.193, 11 homers, 40 RBIs), who was released by the Oakland A's.
But the pair could attract some interest as September roster additions.
Tigers sign third baseman
Detroit has signed 26th-round pick Edgar Corcino, a third baseman from
Puerto Rico.
http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2009/08/tigers_reliever_fute_ni_thrill.html
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