Some days, you just wish that the powers that be would decide what they want to do with a player and stick with the plan. AJ was always a starter, and continued in that role till last season when they moved him to the pen. Initially, I think he wasn't happy but because of the kind of pitcher he is (= not 90+ mph), he found that he enjoyed the role quite a bit. During spring training, the Dbacks' personnel told him he would have 3 roles on the team - - - relief, long relief, spot start - - - and it seemed okay initially but he has now started as many games as he has relief appearances. And his dad and I have been officially banned from attending any home games where he is starting because it has driven his ERA up ridiculously.
We spent our 32nd anniversary watching our poor son give up lots of hits (not many hard hit ones, either) and runs last night, including a granny in the 2nd inning. When he came out in the third, he had already given up 8 runs, and the first batter he faces in the 3rd gets a single on a broken bat blooper to left field. He got mad and just started firing the ball as hard as he could ... don't know what his velocity was but he ended up striking the next three batters out to end his outing.
His dad commented that he needs to throw like that more often ... instead of being so deliberate. The problem is, he can't do that when he first gets out on the mound for a start because the powers that be are expecting him to eat up innings, which he used to be able to do and can even do in a relief role. But that starting role is soooo different, especially if you are not a fireballer.
But we went out to dinner afterwards and enjoyed seeing him and his wife nonetheless. God is good.