MLB PLAYER NEWS

Padres rookie RHP Hahn off to sizzling start

The Sports Xchange

July 31, 2014 at 12:26 am.

On Wednesday night, Hahn added a new wrinkle. He worked more off his fastball than the curve and got a couple of outs on changeups. He also was efficient, completing seven innings on an un-rookie-like 95 pitches. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

SAN DIEGO — Manager Bud Black no longer masks his enthusiasm for San Diego Padres rookie right-hander Jesse Hahn.

“Jesse again pitched a great game,” Black said Wednesday night after Hahn celebrated his 25th birthday by holding the St. Louis Cardinals to one run on four hits and two walks over seven innings in the Padres’ 12-1 win. Hahn (7-2) lowered his ERA to 2.01 through nine major league starts.

“He’s not a secret anymore even though he’s facing teams for the first time. He’s been impressive. He’s surpassed our early expectations, and it’s legit, really good work. He’s got that traditional 12-to-6, 1-to-7 curveball. Great spin, huge break, and he can throw it for strikes when he’s behind in the count.”

On Wednesday night, Hahn added a new wrinkle. He worked more off his fastball than the curve and got a couple of outs on changeups. He also was efficient, completing seven innings on an un-rookie-like 95 pitches.

“The big key tonight was fastball movement,” Black said. “He had great sink, and that made it easier for the hook to come into play.”

Hahn said, “I tried to attack with my strength. The fastball got a lot of ground-ball outs for me tonight.”

Hahn’s seven wins in his first nine career appearances are the most in Padres history and are tied for the third most in the major leagues dating back to 1914. He is the first major league pitcher to win seven games in his first nine appearances since the Florida Marlins’ Dontrelle Willis in 2003.

ALL  |  NFL  |  College Football  |  MLB  |  NBA