Jarrod Parker Shows Improvement

Mar 5, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jarrod Parker (11) pitches during the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at Maryvale Baseball Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Jarrod Parker was not at his best in his first outing against the Giants where he allowed 6 runs in 1 and a third inning. He was knocked around and didn’t even get his 2 innings of work. Parker showed a lot of improvement in his second start against the Brewers. The Oakland A’s and their fans will be very happy to hear that Jarrod Parker had a great outing.

He started off a little shaky today in the first inning, where he got the first out by ground out, before walking Scooter Gennett on 4 pitches. Ryan Braun came up and Parker was still out of it, giving him a first pitch ball. Vogt went up to the mound, and Parker began getting more strikes, but Braun singled to put runners on the corners. An amazing defensive play in which Vogt threw to Sogard who then relayed it back to the plate led to Gennett getting tagged at home. Parker then walked yet another batter and Mark Reynolds got on base. Parker still managed to get out of the inning with no runs, by getting Juan Francisco to pop up.

The second was much better for Parker, having a 3 up 3 down inning. Martin Maldonado bunted into a ground out, Hunter Morris flied out, and Jason Rogers struck out out swinging. Parker looked a whole better in that inning.

The third inning was also great for Parker, almost exactly the same. It was another 3 up 3 down inning in which there were two ground outs and a fly out. He was looking very sharp, and with a low pitch count Melvin let him pitch part of the 4th as well. He gave up a solo homer to Ryan Braun but then got the next guy out and that was it for Parker. He went 3 and a third innings allowing only 1 run, which is a whole lot better than 6 runs in 1 and a third. With a lot of games still left for the Parker to pitch in, he should be ready to go on opening night. No need to worry about Parker after that 1st start, he will hopefully be the guy to help start the season off in the win column.