It’s not like Ivan Nova walked half the ballpark with the New York Yankees earlier this season; in 97⅓ innings he issued 25 walks, or 2.3 per nine innings pitched. But walking only two batters in seven starts and locating within the zone, like Nova has in Pittsburgh? That takes some doing.
In the chair in front of his locker Friday afternoon, Nova lifted his head up and back, mimicking what happened in his delivery before joining the Pirates. A high head caused his front shoulder to open too early.
“Open it up, and the arm is all over the place,” Nova said.
Pitching coach Ray Searage advised Nova to keep his chin low during his delivery and align his chin with the target. This keeps the front shoulder closed. The results: Two walks in 46⅓ innings, a 2.53 ERA and two complete games in his past four starts.
Nova had heard of the need to keep his chin down before. Recovering from Tommy John ligament replacement surgery, though, threw his mechanics out of whack. Releasing the ball later has improved Nova’s curveball.
“My release point was too off the timing. It was up here,” he said, with his arm above his shoulder, “and then just hold it a little bit more, throw it right in front.”
Like J.A. Happ in 2015, Nova is creating a strong final impression before he hits free agency.
“My agent and everybody else is going to take care of that part, not me,” Nova said. “I don’t win anything just focusing on free agency instead of pitching. It’s going to be fun.”
Nova said he would be open to returning to the Pirates. “If the opportunity presents [itself], and I can stay here, yeah,” he said. “For sure.”
Hutchison adjusts routine
Drew Hutchison will start a major league game for the first time in two months when he takes the mound against the Cincinnati Reds tonight.
“I think you just change your routine back into your starter routine as far as things you do to prepare yourself,” Hutchison said. “It’s actually a team I’ve never faced. Nothing too crazy. Not too much of a change.”
Hutchison will start in place to Chad Kuhl, whom the Pirates skipped to manage his workload. In seven appearances, six starts, for Class AAA Indianapolis since joining the Pirates from the Toronto Blue Jays in the Francisco Liriano trade, Hutchison compiled a 4.50 ERA in 36 innings.
Marte still out
Starling Marte (back spasms) did not start for the fourth consecutive game. Josh Bell started in right field with Gregory Polanco in left.
Bill Brink: bbrink@post-gazette.com and Twitter @BrinkPG.
First Published: September 10, 2016, 4:36 a.m.
