CLEVELAND -- It might never be wise to breathe easy when it comes to a starting pitcher, but maybe, must maybe, Ubaldo Jimenez is reaching that point where the Indians know what to expect from him.
After two years of struggles and chaos, Jimenez has shown he has not forgotten how to pitch, and that he can provide winning outings for the Indians.
This is not based simply on Jimenez’s eight-inning, four-hit, no run game in Saturday’s 5-0 win over Tampa.
It’s based on his last seven starts since April 29.
In those starts, Jimenez has given up two runs or fewer six times. He’s struck out 45, walked just 16. He has gone 4-1, and in those games has a 2.74 ERA. Those numbers come, too, with one start that saw him give up six runs in four innings.
His eight innings Saturday were a season high, and the first time he had pitched eight innings in exactly two years.
“Put zeroes up, pounded the zone, everything,” manager Terry Francona said. “Really terrific.”
Jimenez has to feel a large sense of relief. He was acquired for two former first-round draft picks, and he struggled in Cleveland. The second half of 2011 he had a 5.10 ERA. Last season he led the majors with 17 losses, and had a 5.40 ERA.
This season he started miserably, and after a brutal third outing when he gave up seven runs in 1 2/3 innings, he had an ERA of 11.25.
At that point Francona had to talk fans back from pushing Jimenez off the ledge.
They focused on the basics.
“I think it all starts with his direction to the plate,” Francona said.
Jimenez worked with pitching coach Mickey Callaway on his delivery. Callaway and Francona had noticed Jimenez was stepping too far to his left as he pitched. That caused him to “fly open,” which led to hittable pitches over the plate.
Callaway stressed striding straight ahead, and Jimenez worked on it tirelessly. He cares, a lot. And when he struggled it ate at him — though never once did he back away from responsibility or accountability.
Now he’s had six strong starts in his last seven, and has an ERA below 5, which is worth notice in the context of the brutal beginning.
“I feel like I’m able to compete,” Jimenez said. “That’s something I couldn’t do last year, because I had to worry about so many things, like my mechanics. I was worrying about things that weren’t about getting outs. Right now the only thing I’m thinking is just get hitters out.”
Jimenez is actually evolving as a pitcher, going from a guy who throws 98 mph to one who uses all his pitches and accepts a 91 or 92 mph fastball.
“I’m pitching with what I have,” he said. “I’m not worried about what I had before. I’m worried about how can I get outs with whatever I have. I have good pitches. I’m not throwing 98, 99 like I used to, but my fastball when I let it go is 94 sometimes.
“But it has good movement. I don’t throw anything straight. I have four breaking balls, and definitely I’m able to compete out there.”
His success is tied directly to the team’s. The Indians simply could not have a second starter putting up the number he did early, or the past couple years. But Francona said his approach is to believe in guys and help them get better, not to jettison them.
The results have been rewarding, to the manager and the pitcher.
“It feels good to be able to be there for the team,” Jimenez said. “Knowing the guys are gonna feel pretty good when you go to the mound. Because they know you’re gonna compete. It was not like that last year, when the guys were like, let’s see what he’s gonna bring.”
