Rangers 3, Jays 2 - The Dustin McGowan Roundup

Sunday, July 31 2005 @ 09:27 AM EDT

Contributed by: Pepper Moffatt

Well they say I should approach you
With caution
But not to let you be aware of my fear
Never know what you'll find

I missed yesterday's game. Dustin McGowan's major league debut and I missed it. What could pull me away from such an event? I was helping my sister move furniture.

McGowan's box line certainly looks impressive: 5 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 0 HR. But how did he look out there? For that we'll ask the Bauxites and the media:

Rob: Dustin McGowan's slider is fun to watch. So was his whole start, but I noticed right away that something was way off on that pitch, the HBP -- even before the ball left his hand -- though I couldn't figure it out by rewinding, pausing and going frame-by-frame through the tape. Something in that pitching motion just looked wrong. It's bothering me...does anyone know what happened there? Arm slot? Arm angle?

Ryan Day: McGowan is good. He was shaky, particularly in the early going, but even still, Texas batters couldn't touch him. Neither of the hits he gave up were particularly hard.

Named For Hank: I, too, am excited by McGowan, but it was just one start. One totally kick-ass start, but I'd like to see a few more before I declare him emperor and give him a golden car. But so far I have to say I'm really jazzed about the pitching that's starting to show up from the farm system.

Spencer Fordin: Despite a no-decision, Toronto starter Dustin McGowan pitched well in his Major League debut. The rookie walked the first two batters he faced, but settled down shortly thereafter. The right-hander worked five innings and allowed just two hits, striking out six batters against three walks. The only run he allowed came on a sacrifice fly in the second inning.

Gregg Zaun: "He had a little trouble with his fastball -- getting it over -- but the breaking ball and the changeup were there for him. That says a lot about the kid's makeup. Hopefully, we'll be able to use that mid-90's fastball a little bit more the next time.

Mike Rutsey: Dustin McGowan, the Blue Jays' No. 1 pick in 2000, admitted he had butterflies before his first major-league start and two batters into the game it showed.

McGowan walked David Dellucci on a 3-2 count, then followed by walking Michael Young on four pitches.

When you have dreaming for this moment all your life it isn't quite the way to fulfill your dream.

When he fell behind the next batter, the dangerous Mark Teixeira, pitching coach Brad Arnsberg came out for a fatherly chat.

Whatever he said worked. McGowan retired the next three batters and went on to hold the dangerous Rangers lineup to two hits and one run in his five innings.

John Gibbons: We really haven't looked at it but he deserves another, I'd say. It would have been nice to get him a win.

John Gibbons (again): After the first couple of hitters he settled in. He had a very good change up, threw some good breaking balls and was around the plate. I was very impressed.

He's got to feel good. It would have been nice to get him a win.

Allan Ryan: Now that Dustin McGowan has his major league debut out of the way — and impressively so — one can ask: How can Roy Halladay possibly crack this rotation?

As always, the last word goes to the Bauxites. What are you first impressions of Dustin McGowan?

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