Temperatures in the mid-50s are hardly perfect conditions for any pitcher, especially a 34-year-old left-hander trying to rebound from major shoulder surgery. But Jimmy Key was close to perfect Friday.
Key was his typically unemotional self as he answered questions about his three shutout innings, but he described the superb feeling of having the baseball leave his hand and actually display life and movement. Just as it did in the past.
The stone-faced Key even claimed he was excited.
“I feel very good about today,” said Key, after the Yankees had pounded the Astros 13-3. “My arm is feeling good. I’m getting close to where I want to be.
“That’s a good feeling.”
Key retired nine of the 12 batters he faced. Other than the opposite-field doubles he permitted to Jeff Bagwell and Ricky Gutierrez, Key was efficient, and he only slipped to a three-ball count once.
