Tim Alderson 5/13 Video Recap

I was in attendance for Tim Alderson’s start on Thursday, May 13th against the Richmond Flying Squirrels.  Alderson looked good through the first two innings, started to fall apart in the fourth, but got out of the inning without a run, then fell apart in the fifth inning, which was the difference in the game.  Unfortunately, Alderson’s velocity was not impressive.  He only topped out at 89, but was working in the mid to high 80s most of the game.

The fifth inning saw Alderson pegged for four runs, although the damage could have been avoided.  Alderson walked the leadoff batter on four pitches, then recorded a strikeout to the next batter for out number one.  He allowed a single up the middle on the first pitch to the next batter, putting runners at first and second.  That brought the pitcher up in a bunting situation.  The pitcher bunted a slow chopper to the mound, and Alderson was very slow on the play, allowing the pitcher to reach first safely.

Alderson walked the next batter, bringing in the first run for Richmond, and making it 2-1.  The next batter hit in to a sacrifice fly to right field, which tied the score.  Alderson then allowed back to back singles, before being pulled after 4.2 innings of work.  It’s hard to say how things would have turned out if Alderson would have hustled on the bunt attempt, but the walk would have just loaded the bases, and the sac fly would have been the third out of the inning, which would have allowed Alderson to escape without giving up any runs.  You can watch the entire inning, plus every pitch from Alderson below.

Check out my recap of the game, as well as my review on Alderson’s performance, here.