51s’ deep, experienced bullpen brings heat, ignites resurgence

If opposing teams are going to get to the 51s, they'd better do it early.

Real early.

Las Vegas' bullpen hasn't just lived up to preseason expectations, it has dominated opposing batters, surrendering few hits and even fewer runs.

"It's almost like from the fifth inning on we have a closer," right-hander Bobby Korecky said.

The 51s' bullpen gave up an earned run in just one of the previous 12 games before running into trouble in Friday's 9-6 loss to the Memphis Redbirds at Cashman Field. Over that stretch, covering 43 1/3 innings, the relievers allowed 19 hits while yielding a 0.62 ERA and with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 39-8.

The bullpen was a major reason behind the 51s' resurgence. They went 14-5 before dropping the first two games of this series.

"Everybody's real aggressive in the zone," 51s manager Marty Brown said. "It's not about tricking people. It's about using their stuff."

This is not only an effective bullpen, it's a unique one.

Las Vegas (20-21) sends one strong arm after another to the mound - think fastballs in the middle to high 90s - and doesn't mix up the hard throwers with a line of off-speed pitchers.

Well, except when Korecky is on the mound. He throws 90 to 92 mph and said he is considered "the slow guy."

"I think the big thing for our bullpen is ... we all throw strikes," Korecky said. "I don't know where we are in the league with walks, but if we're not putting anybody on, it's pretty tough to get hit after hit after hit. That's really the concept of pitching, in my opinion."

Korecky, a 32-year-old veteran who has been a closer most of his career, has adjusted well to entering games earlier. He is 2-0 with a 3.47 ERA.

Closer Chad Beck (1.02), Robert Coello (3.76), Jerry Gil (2.50) and Ryota Igarashi (0.95) also possess low ERAs.

All, including Korecky, are right-handed pitchers, which makes what they've been able to accomplish even more impressive.

But, at the Triple-A level, perhaps not so unique. Brown noted major league clubs are hungry for good left-handers.

"If you get a left-hander and he's in the bullpen here, he's not here very long," Brown said.

Brown knows he has experience no matter who he sends to the mound. The youngest pitcher, starter or reliever, is Andrew Carpenter, who turned 27 on Friday.

The veterans have come through from the bullpen, bolstering a strong hitting team and an improving starting rotation.

Las Vegas was expected to have a good bullpen. Just not this good.

"We have a good mix of guys, and we have a really good time," Korecky said. "You can see we pull for one other."

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.