Fixing a Pitchers Quirk - WSJ.com
Jeremy Bonderman of the Detroit Tigers is one of the best young starting pitchers in baseball — from the second inning on. Throughout his career, Mr. Bonderman has exhibited one of the games most puzzling quirks. Last season, his earned run average in the first inning was a nightmarish 11.57. For all other innings, it was an admirable 3.75.

In 151 first innings in his career, Mr. Bonderman has given up 200 hits, 47 doubles, 27 home runs and 66 walks with an ERA of 7.09. Hitters facing him in the first have an All Star-caliber .316 batting average. In the second inning, their average drops to .216.

Bonderman pleased with pitching despite Tigers’ loss
He gave up three runs on five hits in four innings. So why was Jeremy Bonderman in an excellent mood on Saturday after his start in a 4-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays?

His change-up, that’s why.

It’s the pitch that will elevate him, in manager Jim Leyland’s opinion, from being a good major-league pitcher to something special — but he has to improve it first.

On Saturday, he improved it.

“I’m not happy about giving up three runs,” Bonderman said, “but my change-up was probably the best I’ve ever had. I’m very happy with the way I threw it.”

Said Leyland: “We gave him a few more to throw. That’s the only way you’re going to learn.”

Bonderman couldn’t recall how many change-ups he threw, “but I threw it a lot,” he said. ” I got Vernon Wells with one. I felt really good about it.”

Was it good enough to throw in the regular season?

“One hundred percent,” said Bonderman, who’s impressed Leyland with the way he’s approached this spring.