Blame It on Rijo: Bowie Hurler's New Pitch Baffles Hitters

By Sean P. Flynn
Special to The Washington Post
Thursday, July 3, 2003; Page D05

Before this season, Bowie pitcher Fernando Rijo added a split-finger pitch to his repertoire. As he has polished the pitch, which he uses as a change-up, Rijo's fortunes have improved; in his last three starts, the 25-year-old right-hander has allowed just six runs in 211/3 innings.

"I feel like I'm throwing more confidently right now," Rijo said. "I'm getting my first pitch for a strike, and I'm getting the first out. I feel like I'm more focused."

Rijo is 3-6 with Bowie this season, but in his last three starts, his earned run average has dropped by one run to 4.82. In his last start on June 28, Rijo threw a one-hit shutout, striking out seven and walking only one in a win over Harrisburg.

The native of the Dominican Republic spent six seasons in the Dodgers organization and one with the Tigers organization before being signed by the Orioles this season. Rijo was a non-roster invitee to the Orioles' major league spring training before being assigned to Bowie.

The addition of the split-finger, which complements a curveball and a fastball in the low nineties, allows Rijo to confound batters each time up to the plate. Rijo had been predominantly throwing his fastball early in the season, and batters were able to catch up to him.

"First time up, he was blowing the fastball by them," Trembley said. "The second time around he was able to get away with it. Third time around, hitters had been able to measure it. So his troubles were coming in the sixth inning."

With the Baysox, Rijo has impressed Manager Dave Trembley with his eagerness to pitch. Rijo wastes little time between pitches, and Trembley said it keeps Baysox fielders focused during the game.

"He's got a great body, and he keeps in great shape," Trembley said.

"I can see Fernando as a good middle [relief] guy in the big leagues. He likes to pitch a lot, and after your starter comes out he can get you those two or three innings real quick."