[新聞] Tsao steps up, pitches in
Friday, May 4, 2007
Tsao steps up, pitches in
By CURTIS ZUPKE
The Orange County Register
Chin-hui Tsao made a case for a spot in the Dodgers bullpen in spring
training, but the club didn't have room for him on the roster.
Two call-ups and more than a month later, Tsao is making a case to stay.
The Taiwanese reliever has become an intriguing story of the young
season for the Dodgers, who have leaned heavily on pitching to stay atop
the National League West.
Tsao stretched his scoreless-innings streak to 10 2/3 Wednesday and has
allowed just one hit and two walks with seven strikeouts in nine
appearances. None of the 10 base runners he has inherited has scored,
and that has enhanced Tsao's chances to continue in the middle-relief
role played last season by Giovanni Carrara.
"All he does is get people out," Manager Grady Little said of Tsao.
"That's what we're looking for in our pitchers, especially out of the
bullpen."
Originally tabbed to be Colorado's closer, Tsao was handpicked by
General Manager Ned Colletti after Tsao had missed most of the past
three seasons because of shoulder and arm injuries. He missed all of
2006 to recover from shoulder surgery but has flourished since he signed
as a free agent Feb.1.
Tsao changes speeds with his fastball and mixes in a breaking ball and
changeup. Catcher Russell Martin says Tsao also has intangibles.
"He's just aggressive," Martin said. "He throws a lot of strikes, and he
makes the guys swing the bat. He's done a really good job (with)
situations. You need a ground ball, he'll get a ground ball, and he has
the capability of striking guys out. He's been awesome."
Little is cautious because of Tsao's arm history and is limiting his
workload.
"We're going to be careful with him not to abuse him any, but the way
he's going right now there's nothing I would like more than to be able
to put him out there three or four innings at a time," Little said. "But
it wouldn't be good for him, and it wouldn't be good for us in the long
haul."
Tsao acknowledges how far he has come from last year. His early success
has warranted a permanent spot, but he doesn't take anything for
granted.
"I just try to be myself," Tsao said through an interpreter. "I try to
do my best. I respect all the decisions the manager or club make. No
matter what, I just want to do my best."
NOTES
Hong-Chih Kuo allowed two hits with seven strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings in
his second rehabilitation assignment Wednesday night for triple-A Las
Vegas. Yhency Brazoban gave up two hits and a run and blew the save. ...
Little tipped his hat to the NL West, which is the only division in the
majors with four teams above .500.
"There's a lot of teams that are not looking forward to playing the
National League West this year," he said.
Contact the writer: czupke@ocregister.com
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