The News Tribune · Jul 27, 2017
Pazos looks to slide his way back to effectiveness
It’s no secret. Lefty reliever James Pazos needs more sliders to pull him out of his recent slide. That’s the clear message from Mariners pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre and others.
It’s sinking in.
"I’ve been thinking a lot about it lately," Pazos acknowledged. "I’m just not mixing it up enough. They’re hunting that fastball, and they’re hitting it. I just need to start mixing it up more."
He didn’t do that initially in his last appearance, Tuesday, against Boston. Pazos entered a tie game in the 11th inning and began his outing by throwing 11 straight fastballs. The Red Sox put runners on first and second with one out.