PHOENIX, Ariz. (The Sports Xchange) — Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Robbie Ray made the best start of his young career Sunday, one deep breath at a time.
Pitching coach Mike Butcher worked with Ray on tempo in his last side session, and a more controlled Ray controlled the Miami Marlins in the Diamondbacks’ 6-0 victory at Chase Field, giving up three singles and one walk in 7 2-3 innings.
“It is something that slows me down,” said Ray, who inhaled deeply before virtually every one of his career-high 117 deliveries.
“I think I kind of over-exaggerated it today, just trying to calm myself down and it worked.