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Family friend taught Blach how to throw lefty

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Anytime someone insists that left-handers are born, not made, invoke the saga of Ty Blach.

The Giants' lefty is a natural righty. He does everything right-handed -- eating, playing golf, swinging a bat and throwing a football. Everything, that is, except pitch.

Blach, a leading candidate to occupy one of the two vacancies at the back end of the Giants' starting rotation, fits the profile of many southpaws. He doesn't throw particularly hard, but he doesn't have to. Deception, novelty and ample movement on his pitches help sustain him.

Blach, 27, owes it all to a family friend, Mike O'Day, who didn't fully realize what he was doing when he exercised his influence on Blach.