Rays Garza delivers a 1-hit gem

MIAMI — Matt Garza's stuff was spectacular Thursday, his pitches breaking and diving all kinds of ways, his control and command precise in his dazzling complete-game one-hitter, a 6-1, series sweeping victory over the Marlins.

But what Garza did — allowing only a seventh-inning homer to Hanley Ramirez — was rooted as much in his efforts on the mound as numerous conversations in the last 2½ weeks designed to help him stay calm and in better control of his emotions.

"What you saw there, it's not like there's been this huge transformation in how he delivers the ball, how he throws the ball or pitch selection," manager Joe Maddon said. "What you're seeing is, here's a guy who's much more under control, and now you're seeing his true abilities."

Maddon's proof was how, despite the steamy South Florida midday heat and humidity, Garza "didn't even appear to be sweating."

Garza's example was more specific, how he reacted after losing the no-hitter on the first pitch of the seventh — retiring the next three, then the last six to complete the 108-pitch gem that lifted the Rays to within one-half game of first place.

"I've made huge strides mentally," he said. "I think I would have lost it after giving up that (homer) to Hanley. I would have got p----- off, threw a couple angry pitches, a couple more knocks might have came, and we'd be talking a different story here. I might have been out in the bottom of the seventh. But I was able to regroup."

The change is a result of the heated mound and dugout confrontations with catcher Dioner Navarro during the June 8 game in Texas. The Rays (47-31) asked, and Garza made a serious effort to better control his emotions and his focus, including conversations with Maddon and noted sports psychologist Ken Ravizza.

Garza, 24, was reluctant to talk much about his work with Ravizza, a longtime Maddon friend and associate, saying, "He's just a guy I talk to. He's kind of helping me out and gave me little trigger points and stuff to look for.'' But Garza's overall improvement has been obvious in three starts since, with a 2-1 record and 2.05 ERA.

"If I don't get upset I'm able to control my body more," said Garza (6-4, 3.76). "If I get upset I've got too many things running through my head, and I won't be able to feel what's off and what's on. And I'm able to make one-pitch adjustments."

He looked fine Thursday (with Shawn Riggans behind the plate) facing only 28 batters — one over the minimum — in his first complete game and the third one-hit complete game in Rays history. He retired the first 10 before a walk (followed by a double play), and aside from Ramirez's homer, the hardest hit ball was a sixth-inning liner to left by pitcher, and ex-Ray, Doug Waechter.

"The scary thing is this guy's capable of doing that time and time again," Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey said. "This isn't like some game he pitched way above and beyond what he's capable of doing. This is something, you hear people throw out (Braves great) John Smoltz and compare him to that, and you watch him do something like that, and it's not all that farfetched."

"There's only one word to sum it up," Marlins outfielder Cody Ross said, "he was filthy."

"This kid today, that's about as good as it gets," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "We had some pretty good hitters coming back shaking their heads."

Said Maddon: "It's hard to say that he can be better than what we saw today."

Comments

[Steve]

Growing up in Michigan and watching the Tigers,Garza sort of reminds me of Jack Morris when he first came up.Morris was really an emotional guy too with great stuff,who at first would let his emotions cause him to let the game get away.When he learned to control himself,his career took off.The Smoltz comparison is good too.

[Chowda HATER]

Also buy your tickets in advance, as in now!!!! This isnt like years past when you can just walk up and buy tickets, also keep those Transplants sux fans out who will try and walk up!!!

SWEEP CAROLINE!!!

[McLovin]

One pitch was the difference between history, and just another great outing by a Rays starter.

Though, who wants to see the Rays' first No-Hitter on TV when they're on the road?

Off topic though, if you're going to any game for the Monday-Wednesday series against the Chowder Heads, wear blue to oppose all of the jerks who will be wearing red. It should be interesting to see the contrast in colors during the game.