Wang hopes Triple-A starts with Syracuse Chiefs keep him - 棒球

Wang hopes Triple-A starts with Syracuse Chiefs keep him on track
for Washington
Published: Monday, July 18, 2011, 10:07 PM
Updated: Monday, July 18, 2011, 10:09 PM


The last time that Randy Knorr watched Chien-Ming Wang pitch in person,
Wang made an impression that’s stayed strong five seasons later.

Knorr was a bullpen coach for the Washington Nationals at the time and
Wang was the starting pitcher for the opposing New York Yankees. Yang(1)
handcuffed the Nationals and took a 2-1 lead into the ninth before Ryan
Zimmerman hit a two-run homer off him to win the game.



“It was an unbelievable game he pitched that day. I was sitting in the
bullpen thinking, no one can touch him,” Knorr said. “That was pretty
awesome. I’ve watched some guys pitch games before. For that one to
stand out...”

Knorr is now the first-year manager of the Syracuse Chiefs, and, however
briefly, Wang is on his side. If Knorr sees even a glimpse of the same
Wang on Tuesday that he recalled from 2006, the Nationals have could have
quite a bargain in their rotation.

Wang is scheduled to make his first Triple-A rehab start 7 p.m. at
Alliance Bank Stadium against the Buffalo Bisons. Wang is recovering
from shoulder surgery and has not pitched in a major league game since
July 4, 2009.

“I’m feeling good. I need to make adjustments,” Wang said through an
interpreter on Monday. “I’ve been (gone) two years. I’m still trying
to figure out (how to get) back to two years before.”

So much has changed for the righty in those 24 months. When healthy, he
was a Yankees ace.

Wang was 55-26 with a 4.16 ERA in 109 games in his New York career, which
ran from 2005 to 2009 after signing as an undrafted free agent in 2000.
The 31-year old had his best season in 2006, finishing second in American
League Cy Young voting after a 19-6 campaign with a 3.63 ERA.

“It’s fair. That’s me,” Wang said when asked if he’s capable of matching
those numbers again. “I’m still the same pitcher.”

But he’s still damaged goods until proven otherwise. Shoulder problems
ended his Yankees career and Washington figured he was a worthy long-term
gamble when it signed him as a free agent two off-seasons ago.

“It’s part of the game. I have to deal with it,” Wang said of his long
recovery. “I just have to become more stronger and stronger.”

Wang said he’s about 90 percent back to where he was, and the reviews on
his return have been encouraging. He is 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA in four starts
among Class-A Hagerstown, Class A-Advanced Potomac and Double-A Harrisburg.
He has tossed 18 innings and has allowed 13 hits, two runs and two walks
while striking out eight.

“All the reports are great. I’m looking forward to getting him where he
needs to,” Knorr said. “He’s got tunnel vision of what he wants to
accomplish. He wants to get back in the big leagues. My job is to watch him
and make sure he doesn’t hurt himself. That’s the only job I have
tomorrow.”

Wang’s safety net will include a 90-pitch limit. If all goes as planned
Wang will make another start with the Chiefs, likely in
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

“The only thing I can do is do my best,” Wang said. “I just have to
trust myself. The last two years have been up and down.”

Note — Syracuse’s game against Buffalo on Monday, the first of a four-game
set, was rained out. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader starting
at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Today’s action was limited to a single game because
the Chiefs are visiting Fort Drum in the morning and won’t get back until
the mid-afternoon.

Lindsay Kramer can be reached at 470-2151 or [email protected].

http://blog.syracuse.com/sports/2011/07/wang_hopes_triple-a_starts_wit.html

1. Yang應該是打錯了, 想是要打Wang

--