Pitcher’s quality starts giving 51s a spark

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 | 6:47 p.m.

David Purcey envisions pitching like this later in the summer for the Toronto Blue Jays.

The 27-year-old left-hander has had three consecutive quality starts in May for the Las Vegas 51s, Toronto's Triple-A affiliate, and is ready if the parent club calls his number.

This time, however, he plans on sticking in the big leagues and earning a regular spot in the rotation.

Last month was his second stint with Toronto and both tenures have highlighted his potential. They have also shown he has plenty of adjustments to make.

"I'm working on being a more complete pitcher, not just a thrower," Purcey said after the 51s finished batting practice Tuesday before hosting the New Orleans Zephyrs.

"I'm trying to get back to the basics of pitching and having more control with my off-speed pitches."

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Purcey had five starts with Toronto in April before being sent down after posting an 0-2 record with a 7.01 ERA. In 12 starts last year, he was 3-6 with a 5.54 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 65 innings.

Purcey, Toronto’s first-round pick (the 16th overall selection) in the 2004 draft, has shown his big-league ability in his past three starts with Las Vegas.

Purcey’s streak started May 13 when he struck out seven and yielded three hits in eight scoreless innings at Memphis. Six days later he gave up one run in seven innings with seven strikeouts at Nashville.

"He just goes after it," Las Vegas manager Mike Basso said. "He is a quality left-handed arm and an innings eater."

Purcey gave up two earned runs in 5 and 1/3 innings on Sunday against Oklahoma City. He wasn’t as effective as his past two outings — he surrendered five hits and six walks — but he only gave up a pair of runs in the fourth inning.

More importantly, he feels like he has turned a corner with his mechanics. Altering the little things, like the angle of his arm when pitching, has made a difference.

Las Vegas entered Tuesday's game with an 18-26 record and in last place of the Pacific Coast League's Pacific South Division. But when Purcey starts, that all changes.

"He's a winner," said Randy Ruiz, who leads the 51s in runs and RBIs. "He goes out there and pitches his heart out."

Purcey struck out 26 batters in 25 and 2/3 innings and limited opposing batters to a .236 batting average in his first three starts with Toronto this spring. But there were plenty of rough appearances.

He gave up eight hits and six earned runs in five innings against the Kansas City Royals on April 27 in his final start. He also struggled April 17 against the Oakland A’s, walking four and giving up four runs in 3 and 2/3 innings.

His second start with Las Vegas on May 8 produced similar results. He gave up eight earned runs in 2 and 1/3 innings against Sacramento.

“I was going out and throwing the ball, not trying to make a pitch,” Purcey said.

His top moment with Toronto came last August when he struck out 11 against eventual American League champion Tampa Bay. It's a performance he believes he is capable of each outing, whether that is in Toronto or Las Vegas. He hasn't been told when — or if — he will return to the big leagues.

"I'm going to take the ball every five days and try to have a quality start," he said. "Everything after that is out of my control."

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected].