The new, improved Koji
Koji Uehara returned to the Orioles last night, pitching a perfect eighth inning in the 2-0 win over the Minnesota Twins and displaying an uncommon demonstrative nature.’
When the right-hander got Twins catcher Wilson Ramos swinging at a cut fastball for a third strike for the last out of the inning, he animatedly celebrated the K.
Last year, Uehara was a stone-faced rookie, wearing the same expression whether he was winning or losing. Maybe the relief role he’s now inherited will allow more of the dominant pitcher who kept Japanese hitters off balance to show through.
Regardless, it was nice to see Uehara pitching with emotion rather than limping off a mound.
Posted May 7. 2010 at 1:20 p.m.
