Farquhar delivers stability for 51s’ bullpen

To keep opposing batters off balance, 51s closer Danny Farquhar has alternated arm angles, between overhand and sidearm, since high school.

But after the right-hander was rocked in his first four appearances this season for Las Vegas, the Toronto Blue Jays instructed him to throw strictly sidearm.

The results have been impressive. Since making the change May 1, Farquhar has a win and four saves in 6 1/3 scoreless innings over six outings.

"I bought into it, and it's working," the 24-year-old said Friday before the 51s' (19-17) 8-3 loss to Albuquerque (19-15) in front of a crowd of 10,202 at Cashman Field. "I love it. It's easier on my mechanics just to throw sidearm."

Farquhar (1-0), who has allowed only two hits and two walks with seven strikeouts this month, has been instrumental in Las Vegas winning 10 of 13 games on the heels of a 10-game losing streak.

He has earned saves in each of his last four appearances to help steady a bullpen that has blown seven of 17 save opportunities this season.

Veteran left-hander Wil Ledezma, 30, has also pitched well. He earned his second save in two chances in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Isotopes and reached 97 mph on the radar gun.

The former big leaguer, who has a 2.57 ERA, has allowed only one run on five hits and a walk with nine strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings over his last six outings.

"Offensively, we've been pretty consistent. But basically it's boiled down to our pitchers giving us a chance," 51s manager Marty Brown said of the team's recent surge. "They're being more aggressive in the zone and using their best pitches rather than trying to trick somebody."

Toronto drafted Farquhar in the 10th round in 2008 out of Louisiana-Lafayette.

In his first full professional season in 2009, the 5-foot-11-inch 180-pounder compiled a 1.87 ERA and led the Blue Jays' organization in saves, with a combined 22 for Class-A Dunedin and Double-A New Hampshire.

Last season, he went 4-3 with 17 saves and a 3.52 ERA for New Hampshire, but Toronto traded him to Oakland in November in a deal for outfielder Rajai Davis.

After a strong start to his first Triple-A season this year for Sacramento, with eight scoreless innings in four appearances, Farquhar was traded back to the Blue Jays on April 20 for former 51s pitcher David Purcey.

Farquhar's first four outings for Las Vegas were a disaster, as he allowed eight earned runs on 14 hits in four innings.

"I think he was tired when he got over here," Brown said. "Right now he's starting to turn into the guy we thought he was coming back over here. He's very confident right now in his stuff. His last few outings, he's really commanded the ball well."

Farquhar said his shoulder was bothering him when he arrived in Las Vegas, causing his velocity to dip to 86 or 87 mph. But after getting a little rest, he's back to full strength.

"He gets up to 94 or 95 at times, and (throwing) down low like that, he's very deceptive," Brown said.

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.