May loses the spring in his step

By: BRIAN HIRO - Staff Writer | Saturday, March 26, 2005 10:11 PM PST ∞

PEORIA, Ariz. ---- For several innings after the most nightmarish spring training start of his career, Padres left-hander Darrell May struck the same pose in the dugout ---- his body inclined forward, his chin resting on his hand, his face a blank stare.

Back in the clubhouse later Saturday afternoon, May had the same slightly disoriented look, as if he were trying to judge the reality of what had just transpired.

"I'll chew on this one all night tonight," May said.

It was an unusually strong reaction to an exhibition outing. But then, this was an unusually poor performance, one that could endanger May's standing as the Padres' fifth starter with the April 4 season opener just around the corner.

Scheduled to get stretched out to 70 pitches over at least five innings Saturday, May didn't even escape the first. He retired only two Arizona Diamondbacks while allowing eight earned runs on nine hits in what became an 11-2 loss.

"It hasn't been a great spring for him," Padres manager Bruce Bochy said of May, who dropped to 0-2 with a 9.42 ERA in six March appearances. "You're hoping to see progress as you get toward the season. This definitely was a setback today."

Bochy met with pitching coach Darren Balsley and bullpen coach Darrel Akerfelds after the game to discuss the situation regarding May, who was anointed the No. 5 starter over right-handers Tim Stauffer and Justin Germano on March 9. Following the meeting, Balsley said May remains at the back of the Padres' rotation "as of right now."

May will make his final spring start on Thursday against the Seattle Mariners.

"I'd like to see him throw a little bit better than he has been," Balsley said. "It was a tough outing for him, but he's a good pitcher. It just happened at a bad time. We're not going to rush to make a decision."

Balsley brought up the terrible spring suffered last year by Brian Lawrence, who gave up an alarming 49 hits and 26 earned runs in 22 innings before going on to win a career-best 15 games during the regular season. Woody Williams went through the same thing in 1999 leading up to his first year with the Padres.

"Guys have poor springs and bounce back and have good seasons," Balsley said. "Spring training is weird that way."

May could have gotten out of the first inning with half the damage, but left fielder Ryan Klesko lost Chris Snyder's fly ball in the sun, turning a likely sacrifice fly into a two-run double. After pitcher Russ Ortiz struck out, leadoff man Craig Counsell hit a three-run home run to right for his second hit of the inning. Royce Clayton and Luis Gonzalez followed with singles to chase May.

"I'm still trying to figure out that performance," May said more than an hour later. "It was just unbelievably one of those days. I have to shake it off.

"Physically I felt fine, but mentally it kind of pulls you down a little bit."

Walks had been May's downfall in previous outings (nine in 13.2 innings), but he issued only one free pass on Saturday.

"He just had trouble getting the ball down and hitting his spots," Bochy said. "He's the type of pitcher who has to locate."

Bochy mentioned that the Padres might tweak May's delivery, but Balsley said he prefers to delay changes in mechanics with pitchers newly arrived from other teams. May, 32, came over in a November trade from Kansas City, where he went 9-19 with a 5.61 ERA last season.

"I like to let them do what they do at first," Balsley said.

The Padres are probably inclined to stick with May because he would be the lone lefty in their rotation and he is guaranteed more than $3 million this season. If he keeps the job, his services won't be required until April 10 against Pittsburgh.

"A day like this," May said, "sets everything back."

Contact staff writer Brian Hiro at b_hiro@hotmail.com.