Villarreal resurfaces in Winnipeg
Left-handed hurler picks up where he left off with Goldeyes
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/06/2011 (5584 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Pitching comes in many shapes and sizes.
No one understands this fact better than Winnipeg Goldeyes manager Rick Forney.
Wednesday afternoon’s deciding game in a three-game series against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks featured lineup changes, most notably at the pitcher position, with Zach Baldwin placed on the inactive list. It paid off as Winnipeg won 7-2 to take the series 2-1.
After some questionable mound work Monday, along with an array of injuries to the starting rotation, Forney signed the familiar Luis Villarreal Tuesday night and gave him the start in Wednesday’s game.
Villarreal, a 31-year-old lefty, played part of the 2006 season with Winnipeg where he had a 2-0 record as a starter, with a 2.38 ERA. On Wednesday, he picked up right where he left off.
“They didn’t want to rush me today, but I was still able to get very comfortable,” Villarreal said. “I had good body control and was able to locate my fastball.”
A product of San Antonio, Texas, Villarreal pitched only the first two innings of the game, but that was all Forney needed to see that Villarreal hadn’t missed a beat. Villarreal recorded four strikeouts and gave up one run.
Forney, glowing after his team’s convincing win, agreed Villarreal performed up to expectation. “Luis accomplished everything we needed him to today.”
Perhaps part of the reason Villarreal was able to throw so effectively has to do with his comfort level and appreciation for the Goldeyes organization.
“Playing in Winnipeg is great. It’s different. The fans are always into it, the city is into it, they appreciate us,” said Villarreal.
These are welcome words from a player who knows the baseball landscape well. Villarreal has played for teams from the likes of Kansas City all the way to La New Bears from the Chinese Professional Baseball League.
“In Winnipeg, these guys are like brothers,” Villarreal said. “And even though I haven’t been here since 2006, it’s like I never left.”
The rest of Winnipeg’s pitching looked just as impressive. Twenty-four-year-old Mike Williams pitched four innings without giving up a run before being relieved by a combination from the bullpen.
Forney said Villarreal will be thrown into the starting rotation as soon as possible.
“We didn’t bring him in to pitch in the bullpen,” Forney said.
Villarreal should have no problem adjusting to the Fish, because no matter if he is in China or Canada, his routine stays the same.
“Win and do your best. That’s all I ever focus on.”
He should fit right in.
robby.frankel@freepress.mb.ca