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  6. article_body => "<p>SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. \u2013 Halfway through his slate of spring training starts, A\u2019s left-hander Rich Hill is struggling to find his comfort zone.<\/p>\n<p>The latest example came Tuesday at Salt River Fields, when Hill walked six and surrendered five runs in a 6-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies. Signed in the offseason to slot in behind Sonny Gray and provide some veteran stability, Hill said he\u2019s trying to work his way through mechanical issues that\u2019s led to 12 walks in 7 2\/3 innings spread over three Cactus League starts. He\u2019s carrying a 15.26 ERA.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c(Mechanics) and release point are two things I\u2019m really working on right now,\u201d the 36-year-old veteran said. \u201cI don\u2019t like using the term \u2018Well, it is spring training,\u2019 because you want to start seeing results, start building momentum into the season. There are some good things going on, and some things that need to be worked on.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>[RELATED:&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnbayarea.com\/giants\/numbers-dissecting-what-spring-training-stats-mean\" class=\"active\">By the numbers: Dissecting what spring training stats mean<\/a>]<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>At the heart of the issue, Hill is having trouble finding the right release point in his delivery. That\u2019s causing his bread-and-butter curve ball to betray him at times. Hill\u2019s defense bailed him out in a couple of innings, preventing even more potential scoreboard damage. But the bottom of the third epitomized his frustrations.<\/p>\n<p>After issuing back-to-back walks on eight pitches to start the inning, Hill struck out No. 3 hitter Carlos Gonzalez and got Nolan Arenado to pop up. But when he tried to go away with a first-pitch fastball to Mark Reynolds, the pitch instead leaked over the plate, and Reynolds mashed a three-run homer to put the A\u2019s in a 5-0 hole.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe\u2019s just out of rhythm,\u201d A\u2019s manager Bob Melvin said. \u201cIt looks like he\u2019s out ahead of his arm a little bit on his breaking ball. That\u2019s why they\u2019re staying up. He\u2019s just searching for the right arm slot. At times he has it, he\u2019s just not consistent with it right now.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Hill has just four major league starts under his belt since 2009, but the A\u2019s are banking on him producing in the rotation after he\u2019s pitched out of the bullpen the past several seasons. Asked if there\u2019s concern at this point, Melvin instead said the main emotion is probably frustration being felt on Hill\u2019s part.<\/p>\n<p><strong>[RECAP:&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnbayarea.com\/athletics\/slow-start-hurts-rockies-offense-too-much-loss\">Slow start hurts A's, Rockies' offense too much in loss<\/a>]<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Based on the current rotation, he would have three spring starts left. His next outing will be a minor league game, a move Melvin said was previously planned. Hill\u2019s next big league turn would be against the Chicago White Sox, who happen to be his first regular-season opponent, and the A\u2019s don\u2019t want to hand out any scouting reports.<\/p>\n<p>The A\u2019s gave Hill a one-year $6 million contract. Expect them to give him ample opportunity to iron out the kinks.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think it\u2019s just something where once you get good momentum, good rhythm, timing, tempo \u2026 all those things start falling into place,\u201d Hill said, \u201cand usually you start getting in sync and things start rolling.\u201d<\/p>\n"
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Athletics

Athletics

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Halfway through his slate of spring training starts, A’s left-hander Rich Hill is struggling to find his comfort zone.

The latest example came Tuesday at Salt River Fields, when Hill walked six and surrendered five runs in a 6-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies. Signed in the offseason to slot in behind Sonny Gray and provide some veteran stability, Hill said he’s trying to work his way through mechanical issues that’s led to 12 walks in 7 2/3 innings spread over three Cactus League starts. He’s carrying a 15.26 ERA.

“(Mechanics) and release point are two things I’m really working on right now,” the 36-year-old veteran said. “I don’t like using the term ‘Well, it is spring training,’ because you want to start seeing results, start building momentum into the season. There are some good things going on, and some things that need to be worked on.”

[RELATED: By the numbers: Dissecting what spring training stats mean]

At the heart of the issue, Hill is having trouble finding the right release point in his delivery. That’s causing his bread-and-butter curve ball to betray him at times. Hill’s defense bailed him out in a couple of innings, preventing even more potential scoreboard damage. But the bottom of the third epitomized his frustrations.

After issuing back-to-back walks on eight pitches to start the inning, Hill struck out No. 3 hitter Carlos Gonzalez and got Nolan Arenado to pop up. But when he tried to go away with a first-pitch fastball to Mark Reynolds, the pitch instead leaked over the plate, and Reynolds mashed a three-run homer to put the A’s in a 5-0 hole.

 

“He’s just out of rhythm,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “It looks like he’s out ahead of his arm a little bit on his breaking ball. That’s why they’re staying up. He’s just searching for the right arm slot. At times he has it, he’s just not consistent with it right now.”

Hill has just four major league starts under his belt since 2009, but the A’s are banking on him producing in the rotation after he’s pitched out of the bullpen the past several seasons. Asked if there’s concern at this point, Melvin instead said the main emotion is probably frustration being felt on Hill’s part.

[RECAP: Slow start hurts A's, Rockies' offense too much in loss]

Based on the current rotation, he would have three spring starts left. His next outing will be a minor league game, a move Melvin said was previously planned. Hill’s next big league turn would be against the Chicago White Sox, who happen to be his first regular-season opponent, and the A’s don’t want to hand out any scouting reports.

The A’s gave Hill a one-year $6 million contract. Expect them to give him ample opportunity to iron out the kinks.

“I think it’s just something where once you get good momentum, good rhythm, timing, tempo … all those things start falling into place,” Hill said, “and usually you start getting in sync and things start rolling.”