When Aaron Harang agreed to terms with the Atlanta Braves during spring training, they had no idea what they were in for. Before he pitched in his Braves debut, Harang had a career ERA of 4.28, record of 110-116, and a winning percentage of .487. Now that the 12-year pro has pitched four games on his new ballclub, he has a season ERA of 0.70, record of 3-1, along with a 0.82 WHIP, while striking out 22 batters. I guess you can say he's made improvements.
"The biggest thing I bring is just having experience...and being able to watch guys and talk to them about situations I've been in if I see them in similar situations on the field," said Harang. "If they are out there and the game starts to speed up a little bit, maybe I can help them step back and slow the game down a little bit and stay under control and focus."
"You look at some of the guys who have phenomenal mechanics or supposed phenomenal mechanics and they end up blowing out. The biggest thing is learning myself and trying to maintain every season as it goes on while knowing my limitations when I do get out there. If they are out there and the game starts to speed up a little bit, maybe I can help them step back and slow the game down a little bit and stay under control and focus."
During a matchup against the New York Mets on Friday, Harang pitched seven full innings of no-hit ball before being taken out by Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez.
"It wasn't that tough of a decision, really," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.
Reliever Luis Avilan then came in to pitch the eighth inning of the ballgame. With two outs, it was none other than Mets third baseman David Wright coming to the plate to possibly break up the no-hit bid...And that is exactly what happened. After wards the Braves went on to finish the game while pitching a one-hit shutout.
"His [stuff] was moving everywhere," Wright said. "He brought any pitch in any count -- throwing two-seamers, cutters, sliders, curveballs, changeups -- you name it, he was throwing it and felt comfortable in any count."
Even without the no-hitter staying intact, Harang pitched a gem (like he does just about every outing), and should be recognized for it.
"The biggest thing I bring is just having experience...and being able to watch guys and talk to them about situations I've been in if I see them in similar situations on the field," said Harang. "If they are out there and the game starts to speed up a little bit, maybe I can help them step back and slow the game down a little bit and stay under control and focus."
"You look at some of the guys who have phenomenal mechanics or supposed phenomenal mechanics and they end up blowing out. The biggest thing is learning myself and trying to maintain every season as it goes on while knowing my limitations when I do get out there. If they are out there and the game starts to speed up a little bit, maybe I can help them step back and slow the game down a little bit and stay under control and focus."
During a matchup against the New York Mets on Friday, Harang pitched seven full innings of no-hit ball before being taken out by Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez.
"It wasn't that tough of a decision, really," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.
Reliever Luis Avilan then came in to pitch the eighth inning of the ballgame. With two outs, it was none other than Mets third baseman David Wright coming to the plate to possibly break up the no-hit bid...And that is exactly what happened. After wards the Braves went on to finish the game while pitching a one-hit shutout.
"His [stuff] was moving everywhere," Wright said. "He brought any pitch in any count -- throwing two-seamers, cutters, sliders, curveballs, changeups -- you name it, he was throwing it and felt comfortable in any count."
Even without the no-hitter staying intact, Harang pitched a gem (like he does just about every outing), and should be recognized for it.