BOSTON, April 26 -- Baltimore Orioles pitching coach Ray Miller thinks he has discovered a hitch in Daniel Cabrera's motion that is affecting his delivery. Cabrera has been disappointing with a 1-1 record and 7.65 ERA. "I'm a little concerned with his stretch [delivery]," Miller said.
"He doesn't look comfortable. He's trying to be too quick. Plus when he uses his high leg kick, he is too slow. We're trying to split the difference [in] the last two starts. He's starting to feel comfortable with it."
Miller has been trying to tinker with Cabrera's delivery since spring training. Though the 23-year-old had some success last season during his rookie year, Miller still wanted to make some changes.
"He was a little slow," Miller said, "but we put up with it."
Leap of Faith
Luis Matos's leaping attempt to catch a fly ball near the center field wall in the eighth inning Monday did not bring up bad memories for the outfielder, whose season ended on a similar play last season at Fenway Park.
"That didn't even cross my mind when I went after the ball," Matos said. "That's the only way that I know how to play. I don't play scared." On July 21 last year, Matos fractured his shin while trying to make a play against the wall. He missed the rest of the year. . . .
The Orioles began Tuesday leading the American League in home runs (27) and stolen bases (21). The last team to end the year leading in both categories was the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1955.
