NewsVolstad searches for consistency vs. Astros
Florida (59-53) vs. Houston (55-57), 7:10 p.m. ET
By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com
08/10/09 10:51 PM ET
MIAMI -- Chris Volstad wasn't too much of a Roy Oswalt fan growing up -- not many Houston Astros games really made it onto Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., televisions -- but he is a fan of the consistency his Tuesday opponent has had throughout his big league tenure.It's the type of consistency he'd love to implement into his own career. But he'll settle for just this season.
After sporting a 2.88 ERA in 15 games as a rookie during the second half of last season, Volstad has spent the better part of 2009 trying to find a groove.
Oswalt, on the other hand, has been on cruise control in pretty much each of his previous eight years in the big leagues. Throughout those seasons, he's notched double-digit wins -- winning 15 or more five times -- and has kept his ERA under 4.00 -- under 3.00 in four of those years, too.
Even though Oswalt is still just 31, the young Volstad was only a freshman at Palm Beach Gardens High School when the Astros right-hander was a rookie in 2001.
And he can admire anybody who has that type of success.
"You look to those guys to try to learn some things because that's the same kind of path I want to follow, and hope to follow," Volstad said. "Seeing a guy who's done that consistently over the years, obviously he's doing something right, so there are certain things you can pick up from watching them."
Volstad struggled in his last start, giving up seven runs (four earned) in 4 1/3 innings during a loss to the Nationals on Thursday -- a game that wrapped up a series sweep by last-place Washington.
And starts like that haven't been too uncommon in the 22-year-old right-hander's first full season in the big leagues.
In five of Volstad's 23 outings this year, he's gone five innings or less, and on eight different occasions, he's given up at least four earned runs. But, he does have 13 quality starts and a complete-game shutout against the Giants sprinkled in there.
"Pretty good, I guess," is Volstad's assessment of his season thus far. "I've had some good starts, some bad ones. I guess it's come to be expected. Again, I would like to see myself be a little more consistent.
"Overall, I wouldn't say I'm overly happy about [this season], but I'm not upset about it or anything," Volstad said. "It's had its ups and downs. I guess you can just leave it at that."
But if Volstad wants to remind himself why he's one of the top young arms in the game, all he has to do is go back to the only time he's ever faced the Astros.
That was on Sept. 16 of last year and it just so happened to come against Oswalt, when Volstad allowed just one run in eight innings, giving up four hits and zero walks.
It may be almost 11 months ago, but Volstad clearly remembers that day at Land Shark Stadium -- then known as Dolphin Stadium -- and he remembers having a really good sinker.
That sinker is pretty much the key to all of his good starts, actually.
"That's really what it goes back to," Volstad said. "If you look back at any good start I've had, it's when I was able to command that sinker and get the early ground balls. That's my game."
Pitching matchupFLA: RHP Chris Volstad (8-9, 4.48 ERA)
The 22-year-old continues to strive for consistency. In his last start, Volstad let a big lead slip away in what turned into a disheartening loss at Washington. The Marlins had two separate leads of 6-0 and 8-3, but Volstad struggled. Allowing home runs has been an issue all season for Volstad, and it was again at Washington. In 23 starts, Volstad has surrendered 23 home runs. At home, the 6-foot-8 right-hander is 3-6 with a 4.97 ERA. HOU: RHP Roy Oswalt (6-4, 3.61 ERA)
Oswalt is returning to action for the first time since straining his left lower back July 28 in Chicago. He lasted only 1 2/3 innings in that game before being removed. He hasn't faced the Marlins this year but is 5-4 with a 3.24 ERA in 11 career starts against Florida. That includes a 2-3 record and 3.46 ERA in six starts at Dolphin Stadium. Tidbits
After going 1-for-3 with two walks on Monday, Chris Coghlan snapped his franchise-record multi-hit game streak at eight games. ... Right-hander Kiko Calero remains day-to-day, though he said before Monday's game that the soreness above his right knee is "nothing to worry about." The 34-year-old said he initially hurt it when he took a hard comebacker off the bat of Cubs outfielder Kosuke Fukudome on Aug. 1, and the area has been weak ever since. ... After throwing 6 1/3 hitless innings for Class A Jupiter on Friday, Anibal Sanchez will be on a 90-pitch limit for Double-A Jacksonville on Wednesday, then likely crank it up to 100 for the Suns on Monday. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said he's not sure if that will be it as far as rehab appearances go. ... Lefty Andrew Miller (right ankle) threw off flat ground on Monday. Miller had been pitching for Triple-A New Orleans after recent inconsistencies with the Marlins. ... The Marlins ended their streak of consecutive games with a home run at 13, tying the second-longest stretch in club history. Tickets
Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.
On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio• Gameday
• Official game notes On television
• Sun Sports HD On radio
• WAXY 790, WAQI 710 (Español) Up next
• Wednesday: Marlins (Ricky Nolasco, 8-7, 4.86) vs. Astros (Bud Norris, 2-0, 1.69), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Marlins (Sean West, 3-4, 4.88) vs. Astros (Mike Hampton, 7-9, 5.30), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Friday: Marlins (Josh Johnson, 11-2, 2.92) vs. Rockies (Jason Hammel, 7-6, 4.66), 7:10 p.m. ET
Alden Gonzalez is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
