Quote: Oliver Perez is a Consistent Pitcher
In a win last night against the Nationals, Oliver Perez let up 
three runs and six hits pitching in to the seventh inning, while striking out eight and walking three.
Most intriguing, Perez is 4–0 with a 1.23 ERA in eight starts against the Marlins and Phillies this season.
Jerry Manuel, on Perez, while speaking to reporters following last night’s win against the Nationals:
“Oliver has become a real consistent pitcher for us. We feel very confident when he takes the mound. He’s throwing strikes, the velocity is good and he’s mixing his pitches. He’s just having a tremendous second half for us.”
Perez had a 4.44 ERA in his 19 starts prior to the All-Star break.
He is 3–2 in six starts with a 2.52 ERA since the break.
Perez, on Perez, talking to reporters, said:
“I feel like I’m a pitcher and doing what I’m supposed to do. I just need to keep this going, because I feel very good.”
The difference, to me, is that, unlike in the beginning of the year, he is keeping his game together when runners reach base. Earlier, a runner would reach base, Perez would get in trouble, and before I could blink the base paths looked like a pinball machine, during which he was seemingly good for a wild pitch or a walk or an errant throw.
Now, he is in control the entire time, regardless of what is going on around him. Actually, to a lesser extent, the same can be said for Mike Pelfrey and his turn-around.
For more on Perez, check out Ken Davidoff’s column for Newsday, in which he refers to Perez as, “The loopy lefty.”
