MIAMI - On Thursday, for the second time in three days, the Phillies will start a pitcher who has attempted to reclaim his career with the addition of a two-seam fastball.
Alec Asher, who will start Thursday in Washington, was told by the Phillies at the end of last season that he needed to learn how to throw a two-seamer. The sinker, manager Pete Mackanin said, gives a needed second look.
Asher rode the pitch to great success in the minors this season before he was suspended for 80 games in June after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.