Milton needs to keep ball down

[missionhockey21]

Tell me something I don't know Fay.

Milton needs to keep ball down
Left-hander has given up league-leading 14 homers

By John Fay
Enquirer staff writer

NEW YORK - Pitching coach Don Gullett saw some good signs from Eric Milton the last time out - even though the results were awful.

"He did a better job of keeping the ball down, for the most part," Gullett said. "He hung a couple of changeups."

Todd Pratt, hardly a home run hitter, hit one of the hanging changes for a three-run homer in what ended up being a 12-2 Reds loss. Milton gave up eight runs in 4 1/3 innings to fall to 2-4 with a 7.21 ERA.

The left-hander will get a chance to build on that last outing when he starts today (1:10 p.m.) in the series finale against the New York Mets.

"It shows the importance of pitching ahead," Gullett said. "When you get into hitters' counts and you make a mistake, they're going to make you pay."

Milton, 29, has struggled in five of his eight starts.

He's given up a major league-high 14 home runs. Most of those have come on pitches up in the strike zone. Milton has to keep the ball down to be successful.

"That's true with most pitchers," Gullett said. "There are very few pitchers who can go up in the strike zone and overpower hitters."

Click here for the rest of Reds notes

[CincyRedsFan30]

I think Fay is running out of things to write about. He needs to be replaced.

[volzok]

I agree. He isnt that good. I have liked Lancaster more than him.

[CincyRedsFan30]

Marc is a good writer and has interesting things to say. I'm pleased that Tony Jackson left, so he got a chance. Tony Jackson was annoying.

[volzok]

Yeah he was. I liked him even less when he was on with Marty.

[Saber]

I can't wait for his next article, "Griffey needs to stay healthy to be productive"

[redsrbetter]

LOL, yeah this is old news to me.