VandenHurk Making a Charge at the Starting Rotation

[Ramp]

Manager Fredi Gonzalez on Saturday wouldn't go so far as to say Rick VandenHurk locked up a spot in the starting rotation. He is looking like a more viable candidate.

VandenHurk tossed three perfect innings before his defense let him down during a three-run fourth against the Orioles at Roger Dean Stadium. The plan called for VandenHurk to focus on his fastball and changeup, which he hardly threw in his previous outing, and Gonzalez said he "executed to the 'T.'"

Two runs scored on a Dan Uggla throwing error and Kevin Millar added a solo homer to left on a fastball that came back over the plate.

Perhaps the most impressive part of VandenHurk's outing was his efficiency. Even with the prolonged fourth inning, he averaged 15.75 pitches per inning. In 18 big-league appearances (17 starts) last season, he averaged 18.65.

Six times last season VandenHurk topped the 90-pitch plateau without completing six innings. He threw 20 or more pitches in 27 of 81 2/3 innings. The Padres' Greg Maddux totaled three fewer 20-pitch innings while amassing 198 total innings.

"I established my fastball early and started feeling better and better," VandenHurk said of Saturday's outing.

Sun Sentinel