After Brad Bergesen’s start on July 26th, I wrote that he should not make his next scheduled MLB start. That he needed to go back to AAA, and again find his control.
Since that point, Bergesen has responded with 3 straight quality starts. He has lowered his era from 6.95 on 7/26 to 5.84 as of today.
Last night was extremely impressive. Going the distance, allowing just 2 hits, while forcing 13 grounders. Bergesen does not have the stuff where he can afford to miss out over the plate. When he has his control though, and is able to locate where he wants to; he is fun to watch.
He works quick, he shows a game-plan, he adjusts to what hitters are showing him within the at-bat. Last night was interesting because he was utilizing his four-seam fastball more than he usually does. Showalter mentioned this in the post-game, and the effect of changing the visual plain for hitters. If Bergesen is able to locate two different fastballs up/down, in/out this allows him to give hitters multiple looks.
As the game ended last night, Flanagan pointed out that Bergesen had spent most of the game sitting at 88-89 mph on the radar gun. In the 9th, probably with a fair amount of adrenaline, Bergesen was muscling up to 92-93.
Bergesen is still going to be a guy that is just trying to hang on to the back of the rotation next-year, but you have to respect what he is doing right now. He has allowed just 4 er in his last 23 innings of work, and he is attempting to seize the opportunity to leave a positive impression with Showalter, and the rest of the O’s brain-trust.
I’m happy that Bergesen is proving my call to send him back to AAA as premature. I look forward to seeing how he finishes out the year. Last-year Bergesen was in the midst of a very strong 12 start stretch prior to his injury. It will be interesting to see if he can on a similar roll to close out ’10.
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Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.