York pitching coach Tippy Martinez didn't try to avoid the topic. He's concerned about his bullpen, so much so that he plans to sit down with his relievers after watching York implode in a 14-4 loss to the Lancaster Barnstormers.
He needs to know what his pitchers are thinking, because they have struggled. York relievers entered Saturday's game with a 8.90 ERA, and they allowed eight runs during a two-inning stretch.
"We're all talking about it," Martinez said. "I don't know if it's a case of our guys trying to be too fine or getting away from what works for them.
"We're going to sit down and talk with them about it, find out what's in their heads. We want to just try to get a read on what's happening. We know these guys can do it, they can handle the work. There needs to be more communication before anybody panics."
Lefty Jason Kershner appeared to solve his one mechanical problem during his 4 2/3-inning stint Saturday, according to Martinez. Mechanics had been a big reason why Kershner had not had success with his change-up this season. But he pitched four shutout innings after surviving the final two outs -- and allowing two runs -- to end a mind-numbing six-run fifth inning.
York needs to fix or find enough relief pitchers to win games, because right now it has no shot of competing in the Atlantic League. Even though it has the offense -- including 10 hits Saturday -- it can't hold a lead and it can't hope to come back if its bullpen struggles.
Two big questions:
1. Does York need to pull the plug on players now and start reshuffling, maybe swing a trade with a Northern League or Can-Am League team?
2. Is it better to stay calm and fix what's wrong with the pitchers York has on its roster now?
Sandoval update:
No news on a roster move to activate Danny Sandoval. The Revs have waited to release or trade one of their 27 active players, and they have kept the former major league infielder inactive since he arrived in York Wednesday.
There definitely needs to be some changes with the pitching, last nights game was a disaster.
In the past the Revs have tried to wait. They don't want players to look over their shoulders, expecting to be released or traded. And that move has paid off in the past. Take virtually every hitter on the second-half championship club last season, they all started slow but improved. The one drawback with that philosophy, however, is it caused the Revs to give up on any first-half playoff hopes.
Get rid of the pitchers and get some proven pitchers. Not guys released from the minors
Where exactly would an Atlantic League team get proven pitchers that haven't been "released from the minors?" And please don't say the Susquehanna or Central Leagues.