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Kazmir Expects A Return To Form

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By TONY FABRIZIO

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 20, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Rays manager Joe Maddon calls it an anomaly. Scott Kazmir, having reviewed it on video, merely wants to forget about it.

Whatever Kazmir's last start was Monday against Boston, the Rays hope they don't see it today when the left-hander faces a potent Minnesota lineup.

"I'd like to believe he's going to bounce back relatively well from it," Maddon said. "I do consider him a tough guy when it comes to all that stuff. I've seen him pitch really well in Boston in difficult moments. The other night, I just saw an anomaly kind of night."

Kazmir (11-6) had the worst outing of his career in a 13-5 home loss to the Red Sox, allowing nine runs and a career-high four home runs in three innings. It raised his ERA by more than half a run to 3.50 and his home ERA by more than a run to 3.14.

Far more is expected from Kazmir, who despite being the youngest member of the rotation at 24 years, 7 months, is Tampa Bay's career leader in victories, strikeouts, ERA and quality starts.

"I went back and watched it and there was one thing that stood out that I thought I needed to address," Kazmir said Friday. "With my delivery, I was trying to get a little bit extra and ended up having to go all the way across my body. I felt like if I just relaxed and stayed balanced and square, I would be fine."

Kazmir had difficulty with overextension on his delivery during a stretch in July and August, when he went four consecutive starts without recording an out after reaching the sixth inning. During that stretch, he repeatedly fell behind in pitch counts.

But in his three starts before Monday's nightmare, Kazmir allowed only two runs in 171/3 innings.

Having reviewed video from games in which he felt comfortable with his delivery, Kazmir believes he will return to form against a Twins team that entered Friday's games ranked second in the American League in batting and third in scoring.

"I just have to attack the strike zone and get ahead of hitters, and I think I'll be all right," he said.

Reporter Tony Fabrizio can be reached at (813) 259-7994 or afabrizio@tampatrib.com.

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