NewsHochevar not lacking in confidence
Boston (89-61) at Kansas City (63-88), 7:10 p.m. CT
By Rustin Dodd / MLB.com
09/22/09 11:56 PM ET
KANSAS CITY -- Luke Hochevar wants you to know that confidence was never the problem.Yes, there was something wrong. There had to be. Hochevar gave up 26 runs in 34 2/3 innings during the month of August, and his ERA rose to 5.74.
Then there were two more headaches in September -- and a combined 12 runs allowed in two losses against the Angels and Indians.
And suddenly what seemed like a breakout season had turned plain frustrating instead.
It was evident after the loss to the Indians on Sept. 12, when all Hochevar could do was keep searching for solutions.
"I'm going to get this thing figured out," Hochevar said afterward.
The following days provided a dramatic twist in Hochevar's young career. Rumors circulated that he was inadvertently tipping his pitches. Hochevar and the Royals quickly took some steps to correct the problem, and -- voila -- Hochevar promptly tossed a complete-game shutout in his next start against the White Sox.
So as Hochevar prepares to take the mound against the Red Sox on Wednesday in the third game of a four-game series, it would be easy to assume that the story should be all about how Hochevar's last start has boosted his confidence.
Thing is, Hochevar said he never lost it.
"I don't think it was ever a confidence issue," Hochevar said. "Even when I was scuffling and stuff."
There have been plenty of scuffles, but there have also been plenty of highlights.
After all, there's only one pitcher in baseball who has thrown an 80-pitch complete game, recorded 13 strikeouts in a game and posted a three-hit complete-game shutout.
That one pitcher would be Hochevar.
And when he's been good, he's been real good -- even when stacked up against teammate Zack Greinke, who has the lowest ERA (2.08) in the American League and has arguably been the best pitcher in baseball.
So with tipping-gate behind him, Hochevar said he's ready to continue his same routine.
"Making good pitches. That's it," Hochevar said. "And that's what I did against Chicago. I was just focused on making good pitches, and I went out and I executed that."
Of course, the routine didn't change against Chicago. It's been the same all along.
The results, however, did change.
"I still have a lot of confidence in my stuff," Hochevar said. "I know my stuff is good. I know I prepare, and it's just a matter of executing it."
Pitching matchupKC: RHP Luke Hochevar (7-10, 5.79 ERA)
Hochevar was marvelous on Friday night, registering his first career shutout in an 11-0 victory over the White Sox. Hochevar allowed three hits and just four baserunners, wiping away two of them thanks to double-play balls. He struck out five and issued one walk, throwing 105 pitches (76 for strikes). It was Hochevar's first victory since July 25, a span of 10 starts. Lifetime against the Red Sox, Hochevar is 1-2 with a 7.13 ERA in three starts. BOS: RHP Josh Beckett (15-6, 3.80 ERA)
Beckett fanned seven over eight frames of three-run ball last Thursday in a no-decision against the Angels at Fenway Park. The ace righty has tossed 201 1/3 innings this season, his most in a single campaign since 2006. In three lifetime starts at Kauffman Stadium, Beckett is 2-0 with a 2.55 ERA. Crown points:
New and gently used coats will be collected by Royals Wives and volunteers before the games on Thursday (4-7 p.m. CT) against the Red Sox and on Friday (5-7:30 p.m.) against the Twins. Fans can drop off the donated items in the "Outfield Experience" across from Rivals Sports Bar or outside of Gate B at Kauffman Stadium on both days of the coat drive. Coats of all sizes -- adults, boys, girls, toddlers and infants -- are welcome and will be distributed to the Johnson County Christmas Bureau to help needy residents of the Kansas City area stay warm during the winter months. Third baseman Alex Gordon and his wife Jamie are co-chairs of the drive. ... Right fielder Willie Bloomquist felt like he had his bell rung on Monday night when he ran face-first into a right-field post after making an eighth-inning catch. "It was like somebody landed a right hook," he said. ... The six runs in the sixth inning of Monday's night's 12-9 win over the Red Sox marked a season high for the Royals. They last scored six in the fifth inning on Sept. 24, 2008, against the Tigers. ... Statistical leaders for the Class A Burlington, Iowa, club include: Nick Francis, .275 average, 16 homers, 86 RBIs and 50 runs; Patrick Norris, 45 stolen bases; Manauris Baez, eight wins and 3.41 ERA; Tim Melville, 96 strikeouts; and Barry Bowden, 10 saves. ... Jim Thomas, head coach of the Papillion-La Vista, Neb., baseball team for 36 years, was in the Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat on Tuesday night. He's coached in more than 2,680 games and built one of the most successful programs in Nebraska. ... Catcher John Buck will host kids from the State of Missouri Children's Division in his "Buckaroos" section on Wednesday night.
Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.
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• KCSP 610 Up next
• Thursday: Red Sox (Clay Buchholz, 6-3, 3.49) at Royals (Dusty Hughes, 0-1, 4.38), 7:10 p.m. CT
• Friday: Twins (Carl Pavano, 12-11, 4.82) at Royals (Robinson Tejeda, 4-1, 2.94), 7:10 p.m. CT
• Saturday: Twins (Scott Baker, 13-9, 4.43) at Royals (Lenny DiNardo, 0-1, 8.22), 6:10 p.m. CT
Rustin Dodd is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
