Notes: Perez focused on team goals

03/28/2006
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Oliver Perez earned his reputation as one of the dominant left-handed pitchers in the big leagues in 2004 by leading all starters in strikeouts per nine innings pitched.
Now, two years, later, Perez says he prefers complete games over strikeouts, and team wins over gaudy personal statistics.
"Maybe I can strike out guys. The more important thing in the game is to throw as many innings as you can," said Perez. "You don't try to strike out [everyone]. You just have to throw the most innings you can. If you strike out 15 or strike out two, it's no problem."
Perhaps the new approach is a sign of maturity for Perez, 24, who in the past seemed to feed off of the adrenaline rush he received when the home fans stood on their feet and cheered every time he got two strikes on an opposing hitter.
"When you have opportunities to get strikeouts, you feel good. I always was a strikeout guy," said Perez. "Now, I just have to go in trying to help the team. That's the most important.
"You don't think about you. You think about the team. Strikeouts are for yourself. The game is more important."
Perez also doesn't seem to be all that concerned about his velocity dropping from 95-96 mph in 2004 to the 86-89 range over the last two seasons.
"Last year, I was thinking too much about my mechanics and my velocity," said Perez. "This year, I am just working on my mechanics. My arm is good, stronger.
"I'm feeling good."
Perez will have his final spring tuneup on Wednesday against the Boston Red Sox before taking the hill for his second consecutive Opening Day start against the Milwaukee Brewers on April 3. The Pirates are hopeful that Perez, who spent two weeks with Team Mexico during the World Baseball Classic, will have built up his pitch count to 90 by Opening Day.
Maholm encouraged by outing: For five innings on Tuesday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, starter Paul Maholm looked a lot like the rookie left-hander who dazzled Bucs management late last season with his combination of poise and command.
Maholm, in what would be his final Grapefruit League appearance of the spring, retired 15 of the first 17 hitters he faced, and he walked off the field with a one-hitter intact after fanning the final two batters of the fifth. Opposing starter Scott Kazmir's two-out single in the third inning and a walk to Aubrey Huff after two outs in the fourth were his only blemishes.
After a long bottom of the fifth inning during which the Pirates sent seven batters to the plate, including Maholm, and the Devil Rays made a mid-inning pitching change, Maholm had a tough time loosening up for his return to the hill in the sixth. His command suddenly left him and he walked the first two batters before being lifted after surrendering a two-run double to Carl Crawford.
"I couldn't get as loose as I was the first five," Maholm said. "I lost my arm slot a few times and I walked a couple of guys. It's something that really can't happen.
"I felt good the last inning. It's just one of those innings where you lose it for a few guys. It's something going into the season that I just need to get my strength up and make sure I can go through all six, seven, eight [innings] or whatever they want me to go through."
All in all, considering that Maholm had posted an 8.50 ERA in his previous five appearances, the young lefty was encouraged by his performance Tuesday even if it didn't end as good as it started.
"Getting so close to the season, I needed to step it up and have a good outing," said Maholm. "Everything went my way today. The [sixth] inning, I fell out of rhythm and gave up some walks. That's something I need to correct going into my next outing.
"It's always good to go out on a good [note]. If I would have finished the sixth like I did the fifth I would have felt a lot better. The two walks kind of leaves a sour taste in my mouth. It's something I'll work on this next week."
Maholm will remain in Bradenton on Sunday to pitch in a Minor League game before joining his teammates Monday in Milwaukee for Opening Day. He is scheduled to make his first regular-season start on April 7 against the Cincinnati Reds.
Home opener festivities: The Pirates on Tuesday unveiled their plans for the April 10 home opener pregame festivities at PNC Park.
Highlights of the activities, which will have an All-Star theme in recognition of the 2006 Midsummer Classic being held at PNC Park, will include:
• Actor and Pittsburgh native Michael Keaton will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
• Recording artist and American Idol star Kimberley Locke will perform the National Anthem.
• "God Bless America" will be performed on trumpet by an active member of the United States Army Field Band. The colors will be presented by representatives from all five branches of the military in honor of the servicemen and women serving the United States around the world.
• Pirates CEO and managing general partner Kevin McClatchy will present the 17th annual "Pride of the Pirates Award" in recognition of a member of the organization who has demonstrated the qualities of sportsmanship, dedication and outstanding character during a lifetime of service.
• Longtime Bucs broadcaster Lanny Frattare will host the pregame ceremonies and introduce the 2006 Pirates team to the home crowd.
Bucs bits: The Pirates management team is expected to meet Tuesday night to deliberate over the final roster decisions. The Bucs have 35 active players remaining in camp. They must trim that number down to 25 before Opening Day. The next round of cuts could come as early as Wednesday morning. ... Left-handed reliever Damaso Marte, who returned early from the World Baseball Classic because of a sore left shoulder, developed a stiff neck while playing catch Tuesday morning and was scratched from his scheduled Grapefruit League debut. Although no timetable has yet been set for Marte's return to game action, manager Jim Tracy said Tuesday that there is still enough time left for Marte to be ready for the start of the regular season.

Source: http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/