Counted out by many, Reds slide back into playoff picture
He’s a 25-year-old rookie who pitches older than his age.
Watching Vladimir Gutierrez fool major-league hitters with 79 mile-an-hour breaking balls is to understand, again, that successful pitching isn’t about throwing hard. It’s about knowing what you’re doing. Imagine how good this kid could be if he figures everything out.
The Reds rolled the Miami Marlins four times in four days, concluding with Sunday’s 3-1 win. They took advantage of a last-place team to pull ahead of San Diego in the race for the second wild card spot. Gutierrez led the way Sunday.
He throws four different pitches and there is absolutely no predicting the situation he’ll throw them. In the seventh inning, Gutierrez fell behind in the count 3-0 to Miami’s cleanup hitter, Jesus Sanchez, then proceeded to snap off two curveballs for strikes.
That takes nerve, especially in a close game. Nerve is another word for confidence, something Gutierrez has not lacked since he arrived from Louisville on May 28.
“That was right from the beginning. That’s what we liked right away,’’ manager David Bell said. “How comfortable he was. It’s a real confidence, a maturity you don’t see all the time with a young pitcher.’’
He’s sneaky good, with a deep belief in himself, and he grows on you. That’s a good metaphor for his team at the moment, if you’re looking.
How long was it before the national experts took the Reds seriously? The smart guys left their hearts in San Francisco. They were in a Tatis Jr. state of mind.
Only recently have they recognized Jonathan India as a Rookie of the Year front-runner and not an actionmovie hero from Mumbai.