DENVER – R&D is an important part of Rockies right-hander Ryan Feltner’s pitching DNA.
Although Feltner is most comfortable starting games, he is embracing his role as a “piggyback” pitcher – coming into the game after the starter to handle multiple innings and possibly finish the game.
In Sunday afternoon’s 2-1 loss to the Mariners, Feltner relieved starter Tomoyuki Sugano, who gave up one run in the first five innings. Feltner yielded one run in his three frames before Jimmy Herget pitched the ninth. The previous two times Feltner was paired with a starter, he allowed no earned runs.
The Rockies are up for experimentation. Although Hunter Goodman’s one-out homer in the ninth started a potential comeback, Brett Sullivan struck out for the final out with two aboard, and loss No. 99 was in the books.
For Feltner, who has embraced advanced information and whose younger brother, Riley Feltner, is a pitching analyst for the Guardians, it’s a strategy at least worth considering.
“Communication is the main thing when you are trying a system like this, because when you’re dealing with starters – very routine-oriented people – you need to know at least what the general game plan is,” said ...