Right-handers dread Pineiro

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Originally published August 12

SEATTLE -- There are few sure things in baseball.

But Seattle rookie Joel Pineiro pitching against a right-handed batter has been one of them.

Pineiro, a 22-year-old righty, has been nearly unhittable since being called up from the minors last month.

He is 2-0 with an 0.86 ERA in seven games, including four starts.

Yet on a team that has put up some eye-catching numbers so far, this might be the most remarkable of all: Right-handed hitters are 0-for-46 against Pineiro this season.

"He's been nothing short of fantastic," Mariners' pitching coach Bryan Price said. "That's an amazing statistic."

Pineiro doesn't have an explanation for his dominating success against righties. What he does have is a 95-mph fastball, a sharp slider and an outstanding curveball.

"I guess I've just been making the right pitch at the right time," he said. "Psychologically, you just want to go out there and go after the hitters."

In his last start Tuesday, Pineiro allowed one run, three hits and struck out 11 in seven innings against the Toronto Blue Jays, who were interested in dealing for Pineiro before the trading deadline.

Mariners' GM Pat Gillick wouldn't part with his top young pitcher and must feel good about that decision now.

"He's a pretty special young pitcher," Toronto manager Buck Martinez said. "I saw him in relief a year ago. Now, he's as good as any young pitcher I've seen."

Martinez wasn't comparing Pineiro only to today's young pitchers.

He put him on a level with Dwight Gooden and Bret Saberhagen as one of the best young pitchers he has ever seen.

Those two pitchers played big parts in leading their teams to World Series titles at early stages of their careers.

Pineiro is only the fifth starter for the Mariners, but he's making a case for a bigger role in the postseason.

"He's throwing it good, isn't he?" Seattle manager Lou Piniella said. "The ball's coming out of his hand real live. He's throwing the ball very well."

Pineiro's next start is scheduled for tonight at home against Chicago.

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