Mark Prior didn’t mean it as a slight.
But it illustrated a point he was trying to make.
After being asked how many changeups he threw Friday night in his masterful performance against the Mariners, the rookie right-hander replied: “Probably six or seven. I think I struck out one lefty, the third hitter, McClendon, on one.”
Seattle’s third hitter was Mark McLemore, and he struck out twice Friday.
Prior said what helped him throw seven shutout innings was his improved mental focus. He concerned himself less with the reputation of the opposing batters and more with hitting catcher Joe Girardi’s glove.
“I was getting too wrapped up in having seen these guys on TV,” he said. “I made a conscious effort not to look above their waist.”
Cubs manager Don Baylor understands.
“That happens with hitters too,” he said. “Sometimes you’re hitting off their reputation rather than the pitch itself.”
Prior struck out 11 and walked only one. His fastball ranged from 93 to 96 m.p.h.
“But it looks higher to me,” Baylor said. “He’s a sneaky 95 because of his easy delivery.”
Prior’s curveball was the best it has been, and he used it to escape two jams.
“He’s very poised,” Girardi said. “He doesn’t get caught up with his surroundings. He just makes his pitch and works very hard. And he’s humble.”
Hit parade: Baylor was asked before Saturday’s game if he believes Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki could hit .400.
“Sure,” he said. “This guy has 80-something hits (actually 89) already.”
True, but none have come against the Cubs. Prior struck him out twice Friday and induced two groundouts, lowering his average from .384 to .377.
Matt Clement was equally rough on him Saturday, holding him hitless in four at-bats to drop his average to .371. Clement retired him on three groundouts and a weak pop to second.
“You have to mix it up with him, no doubt,” Baylor said. “He has total bat control. He reminds me of [Rod] Carew or Pete Rose. He makes you throw a lot of pitches and eventually he’s going to hit one.”
Playing the field: The Cubs used Moises Alou as their designated hitter Saturday, but Baylor stressed that the decision was no reflection on Alou’s defense.
Baylor simply wanted to rest his veteran. He’ll do the same with Fred McGriff on Sunday, giving Mark Bellhorn a start at first.
With the Cubs leading 2-0 Friday night, Baylor left Alou in the game rather than substituting him with defensive ace Darren Lewis. With one out in the ninth, Alou broke back on a John Olerud blooper, resulting in a single.
“That didn’t have anything to do with leaving Alou in there,” Baylor said. “We play `no doubles’ from the seventh inning on . . . a ball cannot be hit over your head unless it’s out of the ballpark.”
Signed and sealed: The Cubs have come to terms with 13 draft picks, but none higher than sixth-round pick Chris Walker, an outfielder from Georgia Southern.
The Cubs are in no hurry to sign top pick Bobby Brownlie, a right-hander from Rutgers. Brownlie is resting his arm after a bout of shoulder tendinitis.
Jim Hendry, the Cubs’ vice president of player personnel, plans to initiate talks with Brownlie’s agent, Scott Boras, this week.
