Terry Collins said early Sunday that his relief pitchers need to throw more strikes, otherwise their early-season struggles are likely to continue.
"We're behind in counts," Collins continued. "You're asking for trouble, especially when you're behind in the game against a good team with an outstanding lineup."
In 20 1/3 innings this season, his bullpen is 1-1 with a 4.43 ERA, during which they have combined to walk 15 batters compared to 22 strikeouts.
"We're getting ourselves in counts when we're throwing nothing but fastballs and in the big leagues you're going to get hurt," he concluded less than 24 hours after watching relievers Josh Smoker and Hansel Robles walk leadoff batters the night before.