Hilfestellungen » Champion and 2007 GP2 championNico Ros

OAKLAND -- Oakland As right-hander Kendall Graveman was 12 starts into the season and was searching for answers. He was 2-6 with a 5.28 ERA, and opposing hitters were batting .309 with 11 home runs against him.Thats when pitching coach Curt Young made a suggestion that helped turn Gravemans season around.Curt came up to me and said, You got to find what works for you, what makes you have a chip on your shoulder, whats going to lock you in, Graveman said.Graveman said he remembered how locked in he was in 2014, when he visualized his pitches before every game and rocketed through the Toronto Blue Jays system, earning five promotions and finishing the season in the major leagues.It was something that I just had to get back to, visualize throwing every pitch to both sides of the plate to lefties and righties, Graveman said. Its almost like youre visualizing a pitch that you want to make in a big situation to try to get someone out, but also just visualizing quality pitches.I think for me it sets up nicely because I get to see the movement when I visualize it. Youve seen it so much after you throw it and watching video that I think that just reinforces it. The minds a powerful thing. I think we know that now in the game of baseball. You start really thinking positively before a start, I think positive outcomes will happen.In his past six starts, Graveman has gone 4-0 with a 2.68 ERA, and opposing hitters are batting .232 with two home runs.Graveman will take a career-high five-game winning streak into his start Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays and left-hander Drew Smyly.Smyly has lost a career-high seven straight games and is trying to escape the worst slump of his career. Hes 2-11 with a 5.64 ERA. Smyly, who missed 105 last year because of a left shoulder injury, entered this season with a career record of 24-15 with a 3.24 ERA.Its just been a slump, man, Smyly said. I wish I had an answer but I dont. You just got to keep grinding, keep searching. Im healthy. I feel fine. Every chance I get Im competing my hardest, so hopefully I can get it turned around. It is what it is.Despite Smylys struggles, the Rays have no plans to take him out of the rotation, manager Kevin Cash said.Were very confident he is going to pitch his way out of this, Cash said before the Rays 1-0, 13-inning loss to Oakland. Were looking forward to getting him on the mound (Saturday). I sat down and talked to him casually with him after his start in Colorado. Hes doing all the right things. The results just arent coming. Sometimes youve got to let it kind of work its course and one start, one, two good innings of something clicking can be really beneficial for him.Smyly gave up five runs and needed 100 pitches to get through five innings in a 7-4 loss to the Rockies on Monday at Coors Field.First of all, I believe hes healthy, too, Cash said. Weve talked to Drew. I think its just inconsistencies in his off-speed pitches. He has not gone into a start here recently where hes really had his wipeout cutter or wipeout breaking ball and it becomes difficult. Youre facing some good hitters, good lineups and to go out there with just a fastball -- he tries to get really picky with the fastball knowing that he doesnt have that. I know thats kind of been the focal point for him, to try to get one if not two of those off-sped pitches going for him.Graveman, who relies heavily on a nasty sinker, is 1-1 with a 2.04 ERA in three career starts against Tampa Bay. He took the loss on May 14 at Tropicana Field, allowing four runs over 5 2/3 innings in a 6-0 defeat.Smyly is 1-2 with a 6.87 ERA in six appearances against the As, including three starts.David Segui Mariners Jersey . The deal is pending a physical, assistant general manager Bobby Evans said. Traded from Seattle to Baltimore on Aug. 30, Morse also can play first base and right field to give manager Bruce Bochy some flexibility in writing his lineup. Jamie Moyer Mariners Jersey .7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6. https://www.cheapmariners.com/1365k-kyle-seager-jersey-mariners.html .Y. - General manager Billy King says the Brooklyn Nets are looking to add a big man and confirmed the team worked out centre Jason Collins, who would become the first openly gay active NBA player if signed. Dan Altavilla Jersey . -- Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings was selected Monday to his second straight Pro Bowl, while guard Kyle Long made it after a solid rookie season. Jay Buhner Mariners Jersey . According to a report from the Winnipeg Free Press, the Bombers will name Acting GM Kyle Walters to the post full time.Jolyon Palmer believes Renaults new racing director Frederic Vasseur will help both he and Kevin Magnussen develop as drivers.Vasseur has been somewhat of a guru in guiding the careers of young drivers with his ART Grand Prix team in junior formulae. Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel are just some of the drivers the Frenchman has helped develop into leading F1 competitors.Vasseur was lured into F1 by the returning Renault who have a young and inexperienced line-up in Palmer in Magnussen, with the former yet to start a GP and the latter with just one season under his belt. Asked by Sky Sports if the appointment of Vasseur would help him develop as a driver, Palmer replied: I think so because he understands where we have come from.Both of us have known Fred for a while now, from GP2 for me and Kevin has known him for a while as well, so I think it is helpful and Fred knows and understands young drivers.He understands running a successful team, he is a racer as well at heart so I feel he is someone who understands us as drivers and hopefullly bring the best out of us.ddddddddddddNotable drivers guided by Vasseur at ARTLewis Hamilton - 2005 F3 Euroseries Champion and 2007 GP2 championNico Rosberg - 2006 GP2 championPaul di Resta - 2006 F3 Euroseries championSebastian Vettel - Runner up F3 Euroseries 2006Nico Hulkenberg - 2008 F3 Euroseries champion and 2009 GP2 championJules Bianchi - 2009 F3 Euroseries championStoffel Vandoorne - 2015 GP2 championValtteri Bottas - 2011 GP3 championRomain Grosjean - 2007 F3 Euroseries champion and 2008 GP2 Asia Series ChampionEsteban Gutierrez Every race live in 2016 Sky Sports F1 brings you every race live in 2016. Fast and easy online upgrade - click here.Also See:Testing: How the teams ratedRenault set three-year target ' ' '