Young pitchers have inconsistent days. One outing they're good, and the next they can't find the plate.
On Sunday, David Purcey had one of those latter days as he needed 113 pitches and walked six batters in just 4 2/3 innings. On a cool, dry day in Cleveland, Purcey said he had trouble getting a grip on the ball.
"It was hard getting a feel for the ball," Purcey said. "I have to prepare myself better.
"I'll be ready next time. Primarily, I had trouble with my fastball, but I need to prepare myself."
It's all part of the learning process.
"He will get wild like that sometimes," manager Cito Gaston said. "Hopefully he'll pitch like he did in the fourth (a 1-2-3 inning). Otherwise, it's going to be a long year."
INDIANS 8, BLUE JAYS 4: LHP David Purcey battled the strike zone in his 4 2/3 innings as he walked six against 10 strikeouts and allowed five runs in taking the loss. Mark DeRosa hit a two-run homer off Purcey in the third while Travis Hafner broke open a 5-4 game in the ninth with a two-run homer against RHP Brandon League. CF Vernon Wells hit his first homer of the season for the Jays in their three-run sixth.
