Major League Baseball

Latos wants to learn from late-season struggles

Published Feb. 18, 2011 8:34 p.m. ET

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The final month of the 2010 season taught San Diego Padres starting pitcher Mat Latos a difficult lesson.

Prior to his final five starts of the season, Latos was on a major league record-setting run in which he limited opponents to two earned runs or less in five or more innings in 15 straight starts.

But Latos ended his first full season in the big leagues by going 0-5 with an 8.18 ERA, including a loss on the final day of the regular season to the San Francisco Giants that kept the Padres out of the postseason.

Latos was 14-10 with a 2.92 ERA in 31 starts and finished tied for eighth in National League Cy Young Award voting.

''That last month brings you right back down to earth,'' Latos said. ''Does it suck? Yeah it does, because any little bit might have pushed us into the playoffs. It was poorly timed, but I'll take it and I'll learn from it.''

Prior to that stretch, opponents were hitting .191 against Latos, who started the season 14-9.

Latos said he didn't feel tired but thinks his numbers show otherwise. He believes that led to location mistakes that opponents didn't miss. Padres manager Bud Black wasn't surprised considering that it was the first time Latos pitched deep into September and October.

Latos finished the season with a career-high 184 innings pitched.

''When you're young and not used to it, it takes a toll mentally and physically,'' Black said.

Latos isn't willing to let a poor ending to his season ruin his future. His confidence is high and he plans on using last season's lessons to his benefit.

''It doesn't take away from the whole season,'' Latos said. ''I think it makes the season that much better because it's a prime example (to learn from). I was doing my best and succeeding for such a long period of time and then it turned around and went the opposite way. That's how seasons are going to be.

''It's going to be a grind no matter what.''

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