Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 28, 1990 TAG: 9003280193
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PORT ST. LUCIE, FLA. LENGTH: Medium
Gooden worked two scoreless innings against the New York Yankees, allowing one hit and striking out three. He threw 30 pitches, 24 of them for strikes and was clocked at 95 mph.
The Mets rapped 14 hits and thumped the Yankees 11-0.
Even Gooden, often his own toughest critic, had to be impressed.
"I felt good," he said. "The main thing was I was throwing nice and easy and having fun out there. The curve was good but really I'm still trying to find it. A couple of them were bad and a couple were good. My location could have been better, but for the first time out, it was OK."
The Yankees hit just four fair balls against Gooden, who was constantly ahead of the hitters. In his first inning of work, he threw nine pitches, eight for strikes. His fastball seemed explosive at times, especially when he struck out Roberto Kelly and Steve Balboni, the last two batters he faced.
Perhaps the most important part of the outing was the fact that Gooden was letting it all hang out.
"I wasn't holding back," he said. "Usually in spring training, you build up to it. By throwing this winter, I think that helped me tonight."
The winter work was part of Gooden's rehabilitation from the small muscle tear behind his right shoulder, the first time in his career he has experienced arm trouble.
"This was a big test," he said. "It was a game situation with opposing hitters. I just let it go."
Except for two relief appearances in September, Gooden missed the final three months of the 1989 season.
by CNB