Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 14, 2021 3:10:09 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox’s Garrett Richards has 2.16 ERA in last 4 starts, credits pitching coach Dave Bush for fixing mechanics
Updated 1:18 AM; Today 12:47 AM
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
BOSTON -- Somewhat quietly, Red Sox right-hander Garrett Richards has been dominant for the last three weeks.
Richards tossed six scoreless innings in Thursday’s 8-1 win over the Athletics, allowing five hits and walking three batters while recording four strikeouts. He now owns a 2.16 ERA (six earned runs in 25 innings) in his last four outings and owns the second-best ERA in Boston’s rotation (3.89) this season, trailing only Nick Pivetta (3.19).
Since April 27, when he struck out 10 Mets in seven innings, Richards has been very good. He credits pitching coach Dave Bush with fixing his mechanics. Bush and Richards simplified the righty’s delivery before his start in New York, and the results have spoken for themselves.
“There was too much going on so we just tried to eliminate the first step and put myself in a good position to throw the baseball,” Richards said. “For me, now I just worry about getting my leg up, keeping my weight over my backside, and from there, just throwing the baseball downhill.”
Richards had never worked with Bush before this season, as he signed with the Red Sox as a free agent in February. Throughout spring training and the first month of the regular season, the two men worked to fix Richards’ inconsistent motion. At times, the veteran was way out of whack, causing erratic command in a few outings.
It’s clear that Bush and Richards have grown close in their short time together.
“It’s one thing to be able to be a smart pitching coach, but to be able to give me that information in a way that I can apply it is kind of the next step,” Richards said. “There’s plenty of people that know a lot about pitching, but as far as translating the information in a way that a player can apply it and understand it, it’s huge.”
After walking six Blue Jays hitters in 4 ⅔ innings on April 21, Richards had an inflated 6.48 ERA and had imploded in two of his first five starts with Boston. Since, he has been a calming presence in a rotation that has faced a bit of inconsistency from stalwarts Nathan Eovaldi and Eduardo Rodriguez.
“He simplified his wind-up,” said manager Alex Cora. “He’s more direct to the plate. He’s making more competitive pitches and good things happen when you do that.”
Six weeks into the season, Richards feels he has found something that can help him for the long haul.
“We’ve done a lot of work the last month and we feel like we’re in a good place right now,” he said.
Updated 1:18 AM; Today 12:47 AM
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
BOSTON -- Somewhat quietly, Red Sox right-hander Garrett Richards has been dominant for the last three weeks.
Richards tossed six scoreless innings in Thursday’s 8-1 win over the Athletics, allowing five hits and walking three batters while recording four strikeouts. He now owns a 2.16 ERA (six earned runs in 25 innings) in his last four outings and owns the second-best ERA in Boston’s rotation (3.89) this season, trailing only Nick Pivetta (3.19).
Since April 27, when he struck out 10 Mets in seven innings, Richards has been very good. He credits pitching coach Dave Bush with fixing his mechanics. Bush and Richards simplified the righty’s delivery before his start in New York, and the results have spoken for themselves.
“There was too much going on so we just tried to eliminate the first step and put myself in a good position to throw the baseball,” Richards said. “For me, now I just worry about getting my leg up, keeping my weight over my backside, and from there, just throwing the baseball downhill.”
Richards had never worked with Bush before this season, as he signed with the Red Sox as a free agent in February. Throughout spring training and the first month of the regular season, the two men worked to fix Richards’ inconsistent motion. At times, the veteran was way out of whack, causing erratic command in a few outings.
It’s clear that Bush and Richards have grown close in their short time together.
“It’s one thing to be able to be a smart pitching coach, but to be able to give me that information in a way that I can apply it is kind of the next step,” Richards said. “There’s plenty of people that know a lot about pitching, but as far as translating the information in a way that a player can apply it and understand it, it’s huge.”
After walking six Blue Jays hitters in 4 ⅔ innings on April 21, Richards had an inflated 6.48 ERA and had imploded in two of his first five starts with Boston. Since, he has been a calming presence in a rotation that has faced a bit of inconsistency from stalwarts Nathan Eovaldi and Eduardo Rodriguez.
“He simplified his wind-up,” said manager Alex Cora. “He’s more direct to the plate. He’s making more competitive pitches and good things happen when you do that.”
Six weeks into the season, Richards feels he has found something that can help him for the long haul.
“We’ve done a lot of work the last month and we feel like we’re in a good place right now,” he said.