PU grad back as starter

Ohlendorf in Pirates rotation

By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
   Ross Ohlendorf had been up to the major leagues before.
   It wasn’t with the New York Yankees this time, but the Princeton University graduate’s second trip was more of what he always had envisioned. Ohlendorf made his first career major league start Wednesday for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
   ”It was really cool just to make the majors last year,” said Ohlendorf, who got a no decision after allowing four runs in six innings in the Pirates’ 6-5 win over Cincinnati. “Coming up, I’d always pitched as a starter. I wanted to get a chance to start in the majors. It probably wasn’t as exciting as just my debut, but it was similar in that it meant more to me than just another appearance in the majors. Plus being with a new team made it special.”
   Ohlendorf debuted with the New York Yankees last year as a reliever in the midst of their stretch run. He eventually made New York’s post-season roster. He also began this season on the Yankees major league roster before he was moved down and eventually traded to Pittsburgh.
   The trade paid dividends when Ohlendorf was slotted to return to starting, something he did in the farm system of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who drafted him out of Princeton. He started seven games and went 4-3 with a 3.43 ERA for Pittsburgh’s Triple-A Indianapolis club before getting his second career call-up, this time as a starter.
   ”I was definitely more comfortable and I would think more confident than I would have been if that had been my first appearance,” Ohlendorf said. “It was still emotionally different than a minor league start, but not to the extent it would have been if it was my first major league appearance.”
   Ohlendorf, who will make his second start today at Houston, got off to a fast beginning Wednesday. He retired the first eight Cincinnati hitters. He finished allowing seven hits and four runs, three earned, while striking out two.
   ”I was locating my fastball really well,” Ohlendorf said. “I was later on too, but I think later on I was maybe throwing so many fastballs that they started catching up a little more. And I didn’t maintain my velocity as much as I usually do. I was really happy with the first three innings.”
   Ohlendorf left after six full innings with the game tied, 4-4. Pittsburgh won with two runs in the eighth inning.
   ”Overall, I was happy with a lot of things,” Ohlendorf said. “One thing that was a little frustrating was knowing we were going up against a really good pitcher (Edinson Volquez) and when our offense did a good job and got runs off him, I’d give the lead right back. At the same time, I kept us in the game and we ended up winning.
   ”We were able to win the game and that made my overall feelings about it more positive. I did some things good and also learned some things.”
   Now Ohlendorf will try to build on that start. Pittsburgh is employing a six-man starting rotation through the remainder of the season and the right-hander is hoping he can prove that he belongs in the majors.
   ”It certainly is somewhat of an audition of sorts,” Ohlendorf said. “Not only for them, but for myself and seeing how I can pitch as a starter in the majors vs. a starter in the minors. I’ve been working on those things.
   ”I think it’s a really good opportunity for me. I think I’ll have five starts in September. It’s a good opportunity to get better and learn more about pitching in the majors as a starter.”
   It’s a second chance for him after appearing as a reliever for less than a season in the American League. Ohlendorf is taking this opportunity to focus on becoming a more complete pitcher, and a bigger fixture, at the major league level.
   ”You do evolve as a pitcher — what you like to throw,” he said. “You find a balance between pitching to your strength and a hitter’s weakness. A lot of times I’m going to pitch to my strength if haven’t faced a batter before.”
   He is hoping that he can figure out National League hitters faster than they can figure him out. Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto has seen plenty of Ohlendorf in the minors and duplicated his success from there with a triple and home run Wednesday. The rest of the Reds weren’t as experienced against Ohlendorf.
   ”It’s nice that teams haven’t seen me pitch yet,” Ohlendorf said. “They don’t have as much of a plan going up against me.”
   With Pittsburgh out of the post-season picture, there’s also not as much pressure on Ohlendorf as there was last year when he appeared in the midst of a pennant race for New York.
   ”It’s somewhat similar to last September, except I know how things work a little more,” Ohlendorf said. “I know the travel and what’s expected of you at the field and all.”
   Ross Ohlendorf is hoping that’s a start in making his second trip to the majors permanent.