Schmidt hit 90 mph

I was told that Jason Schmidt hit 90 mph on three occasions in the first inning. Most of his pitches were between 87-90 mph in the first inning. After that they weren’t 90 but they weren’t that far off either.

Here’s what Schmidt had to say afterwards:

Q: Physically how did you feel today?

A: I felt good, but wildness has been a factor for a while. It’s not always pretty but I figure out a little bit more each time out. You’ve just got to go through it.

Q: How concerned are you about your velocity?
A: Velocity is the last thing on my mind. I’m just trying to let the ball go and harness what I have. But throwing strikes is the most important thing.

Q: Can you be effective without being a power pitcher?
A: I’ve done both over the years. I don’t think it’s a problem. You just have to throw strikes. You can’t be a power pitcher in the big leagues if you don’t throw strikes. I’d much rather blow it by ’em, that’d be much easier. But I’ve been down both roads. I had shoulder surgery back in 2000 and I threw 86-90 the whole year and went 13-7 and had a really good year. In ’05 I came into camp and I’d lost all my velocity. It took me half the season to figure out what to do with it, but I won 12 or 13 games that year.

Q: You seem upbeat?
A: My arm feels good. I just need to throw strikes. I need more strength, and more command. I’m doing everything different so it’s going to take a while to get the muscle memory.

Billingsley feels good after simulated game

Sorry, forgot to blog this earlier.

Chad Billingsley threw about 65 pitches in a simulated game this morning, mostly against Casey Blake and Danny Ardoin, and said he felt “great” afterwards.

That’s great news for the Dodgers, who were worried his groin injury could affect his availability to start the season.

“He threw all his pitches and had absolutely no hesitation,” Joe Torre said. “It’s not a game yet, but I feel a lot better watching him today he didn’t look like he was favoring anything he said he felt great and he worked hard.”

Schmidt done after 3 1/3rd

Jason Schmidt’s day with one out in the third inning. It was a real mixed bag. He’d struck out four batters (GOOD) but walked three (BAD) and gave up three runs (NOT SO GOOD). He also gave up a couple of extra base hits, an indication that the pitch didn’t do what he intended it to do. On the strikeouts though, he looked really sharp.

Welcome to the world, George William Blake

Casey Blake is back with the team today after his wife gave birth to the couple’s fourth child around 10 p.m. Wednesday night.

It’s a boy!

Casey said he just kind of liked the name because not many kids have that name today. And, he’s a big fan of George Strait.

Here’s the good part for all you women readers out there. Like a good husband, Casey said he spent the night in the hospital with his wife after his son was born.