Fastball

Granted it is just one outing, but the impression that Orioles right-hander Miguel Gonzalez gave in his first big league start -- a 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels -- was impressive. Orioles fans have seen too many pitchers without their fastball command, so they had to like the sight of the 28-year-old Gonzalez working the strike zone aggressively and effectively against an Angels team that is the second-best hitting team in the American League.  "This team hits mistakes really well, so the key was really location on the fastball first off," catcher Matt Wieters said. "And he did that great.

BOSTON -- He was standing to the right side of the mound, one pitch from a certified catastrophe. The home fans were on their feet and shouting at Fenway Park, tingle-toed at the prospect of a ninth-inning win."You have really gotten yourself into one this time," Gregg Olson said to himself, staring at the ball in his right hand and trying to summon the stomach to get back up there and throw a pitch everyone knew was coming.Not his best pitch, either. Not one of the famous Olson curveballs.

ATLANTA -- At the end of the eighth inning, when the Braves were still ahead by a run and Jeff Reardon was heading to the mound for the customary close and the 51,000 in the stands were anxious to split the cool, clear night with another roar of celebration, Gene Tenace tapped Ed Sprague on the shoulder in the far corner of the Blue Jays' dugout.Tenace is the Jays' dugout coach, the right-hand man to manager Cito Gaston. Sprague is a backup catcher, a 25-year-old still being weaned on the major-league game.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Twins center fielder Marty Cordova walked to lead off the third inning yesterday, and for the first time in 1995, Orioles left-hander Arthur Rhodes felt out of sync.The trouble that he was experiencing says much about Rhodes' improvement as a pitcher. Because Rhodes had dominated hitters all spring, he barely had to deal with base runners. He hardly ever had to pitch from the stretch, and his mechanics were messed up."A curse of the spring," said pitching coach Mike Flanagan.

Mariners' Jeff Fassero (16-9, 3.61)vs. O's Jimmy Key (16-10, 3.43)What Fassero throws: He is a power pitcher who throws a 94-mph fastball and a sharp breaking forkball. He also throws a changeup and an occasional curveball, but gets a lot of ground-ball outs by changing speeds with the forkball.Fassero of late: The 34-year-old left-hander won eight of his last 11 decisions, dating to July 27. He pitched well in September, giving up three runs or fewer in all six of his starts.Something to look for: Fassero makes his living at the bottom of the strike zone and below, but he'll come upstairs with his fastball to strike people out. If he's getting a lot of ground balls early, he's on his game and will be very tough to beat.

NEW YORK -- Most major-league pitchers will agree that it's difficult, if not impossible, to establish all of their pitches in the first inning.Arthur Rhodes has learned that lesson the hard way several times, most recently yesterday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.And it's a lesson he most likely will have to learn a few times at Triple-A Rochester.With Rhodes, it's a question of getting both of his pitches established, because he's basically a two-pitch pitcher -- fastball and breaking ball.

Jay Witasick describes his pitching style as if it were a curse."It'd be easier on me if everyone just hit the first pitch," said Witasick, a 1990 graduate of C. Milton Wright. "But if it getsdown to two strikes, I'm going to try and punch them out. But I don't try and strike out guys."Although he might not be trying, it seems Witasick has stumbled upon a number of those two-strike situations.At UMBC, Witasick was second in the nation in strikeouts. In three pro seasons, he has struck out 354 batters in 317 2/3 innings -- that's 10 per nine innings.

The Orioles couldn't have asked more from Jake Arrieta in his first Opening Day start. The 26-year-old right-hander allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out four batters in seven scoreless innings. Only two runners reached second base against Arrieta - and both were with two outs. He threw 97 pitches, 60 of them for strikes. He consistently hit in the mid-90s with his fastball and his slider was particularly sharp. Matt Lindstrom is in to pitch the eighth, making his Orioles' debut.

The fastball isn't just fast; it can run in or tail away from a hitter. The curveball has been described by some coaches as "back-breaking" for the poor soul trying to make contact.And now, the owner of these two pitches is toying with a changeup and contemplating the merits of adding a slider.Come next spring, Mike Wooden should be in for quite a memorable sophomore season at North County High School.A sophomore? It boggles the mind that someone this young -- he turns 15 in September -- should possess so much talent and VTC potential for greatness on the mound.