03-07-2009, 02:37 AM
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Unlike the Cardinals' Tony La Russa and some other managers, Piniella seldom brings in a specialist reliever to pitch to just one or two batters, preferring to use his middle relievers for an inning or two at a time.
"You really [can] wear your bullpen down quickly," Piniella explained. "You almost have to have a strict specialist to do that. And you have to have a starting staff that pitches a lot of innings."
But now Piniella has Luis Vizcaino, a right-hander who may be perfect in that role. Vizcaino limited right-handed hitters to a .170 average in Colorado last year, while left-handed hitters hit .372 off him.
"If I read his numbers correctly, I think that will be more of a specialty role for him here," Piniella said. "Also, he pitched in Colorado, and it's a little more difficult to pitch there. We'll take that into consideration too."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
"You really [can] wear your bullpen down quickly," Piniella explained. "You almost have to have a strict specialist to do that. And you have to have a starting staff that pitches a lot of innings."
But now Piniella has Luis Vizcaino, a right-hander who may be perfect in that role. Vizcaino limited right-handed hitters to a .170 average in Colorado last year, while left-handed hitters hit .372 off him.
"If I read his numbers correctly, I think that will be more of a specialty role for him here," Piniella said. "Also, he pitched in Colorado, and it's a little more difficult to pitch there. We'll take that into consideration too."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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