Sherrill Springs Forward Into Closer's Role

Usual Slow Starter Off to Good Start in 1st Year With Orioles

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 11 -- Earlier this week, about an hour after posting his latest scoreless innings, Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher George Sherrill had to laugh out loud at the thought that crept into his mind.

In four previous spring training camps, Sherrill has been consistently awful, registering a double-digit ERA. He attributes his struggles to needing all of spring training to get comfortable. After being acquired by the Orioles, he even felt the need to warn Orioles Manager Dave Trembley.

"He told me when he came in, 'Don't get excited because I'm always a slow starter and I don't have a good spring,' " Trembley said. "It's been pretty good for me."

Indeed, the 30-year-old left-hander has been virtually unhittable, leaving him somewhat conflicted about how to handle his early success.

"I'm not used to this and hopefully I can keep it up," Sherrill said, letting a moment pass before reconsidering. "Hopefully, I take some lumps and get it out of the way before the season starts."

In four appearances, Sherrill has allowed just one run in five innings and he has yet to walk a batter while posting a 1.80 ERA. Already the favorite to step into the closer's role left vacant by Chris Ray, who will miss most of the season recovering from elbow ligament replacement surgery, Sherrill has become a near lock to take over the job despite a hamstring injury.

"I'm ready to close but I just need to be ready to close," said Sherrill, one of five players acquired from Seattle in the Erik Bedard trade. "I'm ready mentally but I just want to get there physically, and make sure that I have no more setbacks."

Trembley has not officially named Sherrill the closer; the two agreed to wait until the pitcher believes he's earned the job. But so far, Sherrill has offered little reason to doubt he has earned at least a chance at closing games, seemingly continuing the work he started with the Mariners.

"I would say he's leading the pack right now," said Trembley, who won't announce his decision until after the team's day off on Monday.

After breaking in during the 2004 season with Seattle, Sherrill quickly carved out a niche as a left-handed specialist, allowing lefties to hit just .167 against him. But recently, the former independent leaguer has showed the same toughness against right-handers.

"He wants to be the guy," Trembley said. "I know that about him."

During his first three seasons in the major leagues, right-handers hit .286 with a .429 on-base percentage against Sherrill, who walked 34 in 167 plate appearances.