Washington: Matt Harrison “Will Put It Back Together”

Displaying the sort of calm confidence in his players that has become a trademark in his time as the skipper in Texas, Ron Washington didn't sound all that worried about starting pitcher Matt Harrison following Wednesday's loss.

Harrison started the season about as hot as anyone could reasonably expect--as of April 21, he was 3-0 with a 1.66 ERA, 13 strikeouts and four walks. He is now 3-2 with a 5.40 ERA, and in his last two starts, he’s been tagged for 22 hits in just 8.1 innings pitched.

On Wednesday, Harrison had his worst start of the year by a good margin, surrendering eight runs (all earned) on eight hits and two walks in just 3.1 innings against the Blue Jays, a game that Texas would drop 11-5. Add that to the recent struggles of Derek Holland and the uncertainty of closer-turned-starter Neftali Feliz, and some around the Metroplex are a little ill at ease.

But after Wednesday’s loss, Washington sounded anything but worried when discussing Harrison’s rough day in calm, pragmatic tones.

 “Today, he couldn’t get his change-up where he wanted it and couldn’t get the breaking ball where he wanted,” Washington told Bryan Dolgin on ESPN Radio 103.3 FM, via the Dallas Morning News. “He was just scattering the fastball. We’re going to stay and keep working. He’ll put it back together.”