If this was anywhere but Surprise and anyone other than Colby Lewis, we’d be frantically locating the panic button. But instead it is Spring Training and it is the Rangers’ most grizzled veteran arm, so … relax.
I think.
Because of the thin desert air, Lewis has always struggled in Arizona. This spring is proving no different.
In Tuesday’s 17-5 loss to the Padres he was bombed for 11 hits, nine runs and two homers in only 4.3 innings. That forgettable start comes on the heels of last week’s session against minor leaguers in which surrendered four runs in only 3.1 innings.
What, me worry?
“I don't feel I'm missing anything,” Lewis told reporters Tuesday. “As long as I feel good both times I go out ... it's an adjustment even adrenaline-wise when the season starts. As long as my upper body feels good and I go out there and work my pitch count up, then I'm happy.”
Unlike the past couple years Lewis is healthy, not recovering from some sort of off-season surgery. He has two more starts before the regular season. But as a fly-ball pitcher, we shouldn’t base his readiness on his spring results.
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Colby in Arlington is a different, better pitcher than Colby in Arizona.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
