Burlington, IA - John Lamb of the Burlington Bees had another quality start against the Kane County Cougars on May 4, 2010. Lamb pitched a solid six innings with 9 strike outs, 1 walk, spreading out 6 hits and allowing only 1 earned run off the bat of Max Stassi that cleared the fence. Not much more a coaching staff can ask of a starting pitcher than to simply give his team a chance to win the ball game. John Lamb did just that when he surrendered the ball to the bullpen with a 1-0 deficit in the top of the seventh inning.
The Bees offense was virtually non-existent while Lamb was in the game, due in part by the strike throwing performance of the Cougars starting pitcher and overly aggressive Bees hitters. Burlington did squander a 1st and 3rd situation with no outs, in the bottom of the seventh inning by "managing" not to get a single run. Hind sight is always 20/20, but maybe the hitter that's not hitting his weight, right now, could have put the bat on the ball with a "squeeze" play to attempt getting a run. Just a simple thought from an old player, fan, scout and Dad that has been around the ballpark for a little while now.
Some times doing the simple things successfully can get a guy back on track that has seemed to have lost his way in professional baseball. The game does not change with being a professional, only the speed and dimension of the field. It really is the same game that many of these young men have played for years on sandlots around the world.
Most of the first strike swings, by the Bees, turned into simple outs for the opposing pitcher and forced Lamb to return to the mound with very little rest between innings. Being aggressive at the plate is not always the best approach for offensive success. No body has ever been called out on strikes by taking the first strike in an at bat. A perfect example of my point was made during the bottom of the fifth inning, by allowing the Cougars pitcher to throw only 4, maybe 5, pitches to get his three outs.
The Burlington Bees lost the game in 13 innings to start their current home stand by a final score of 3-2. The Bees three game win streak and the Cougars three game losing streak both ended with tonights combined pitching duel.
Sure most of ideas and thoughts are coming from being the Dad of the pitching prospect that continues to put up descent numbers, but can't seem to buy himself a win in the Midwest League, no matter how well he does his job. With any "luck" the rest of the Bees will show up during his next start in five days. I hope he's not holding his breathe, based on his previous six starts of the 2010 season. I will continue to be a Burlington Bees fan, even if they seem to play at a different level when my son pitches.
- - - James Lamb
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