Óliver Pérez
| Óliver Pérez | |
|---|---|
[[File:OliverPerez.jpg  |150px|upright=1]] | |
| New York Mets – No. 46 | |
| Starting Pitcher | |
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
| debut | |
| June 16, 2002, for the San Diego Padres | |
| Career statistics (through July 30, 2007) | |
| Win-Loss | 39-50 |
| Earned Run Average | 4.39 |
| Strikeouts | 781 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
| |
Óliver Pérez Martinez (born August 15, 1981 in Culiacán, Mexico) is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher who plays with the New York Mets.
Biography
San Diego Padres
Oliver Pérez was signed by the San Diego Padres as an amateur free agent in 1999. He made his debut with the Padres in 2002. Pérez did well for a rookie after being called up by the Padres in 2002, striking out over a batter per inning, but he suffered from control issues at times. He regressed somewhat in 2003, again exhibiting poor command, although his immense talent was apparent.
Pittsburgh Pirates
In August 2003, Pérez was sent by San Diego to Pittsburgh along with Jason Bay and Cory Stewart in the same trade that brought Brian Giles to the Padres. Pérez continued to struggle for his new team.
Before the 2004 season, the team overhauled his pitching mechanics, and it worked. His average of 10.97 strikeouts per nine innings was highest in the majors (239 SO/196 IP); his 2.98 ERA was fifth in the National League (tied with Roger Clemens); and his 12-10 record could have been ever better with reasonable run support early in the season. Pirates bats provided two or fewer runs in Pérez' 16 starts before All-Star break, causing him to post a 5-4 record with five no decisions despite a 3.24 ERA. In that season, Pérez pitched at least six innings and allowed three or fewer runs in 21 of his 30 starts (70%). Through this first 3 seasons, Pérez had compiled a 20-25 record with 474 strikeouts and a 3.86 ERA in 412.2 innings.
By contrast, Pérez's 2005 season was disappointing. He posted a 5.85 ERA in a season plagued by injuries. The Pirates were forced to place him on the disabled list on June 29 after he broke his toe kicking a cart following a loss to St. Louis. He missed two and a half months recovering, returning in September to post a 4.58 ERA in 19.2 late season innings. Pérez had also lost significant speed off his formerly overwhelming fastball and had to grow accustomed to throwing in the high 80s or low 90s with it that season.
Pérez represented Mexico in the inaugural World Baseball Classic, where Mexico was eliminated in the 2nd group stage.
In 2006, Pérez opened the Pirates season as the number one starter. On June 27, Pérez was sent to the Pirates bullpen after struggling through the first half of the season with an ERA over 6. On June 29, he was sent to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, with Tom Gorzelanny being called up to replace him in the starting rotation.
New York Mets
On July 31, Pérez was sent to the New York Mets with teammate/former Met Roberto Hernández for Xavier Nady. He was sent to the Mets' AAA affiliate, the Norfolk Tides. In his fourth game for the Tides, Pérez took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and finished with a one-hitter and 11 strikeouts.[1] He was recalled to the Mets Major League roster on August 26, 2006. In his first start as a Met, Pérez pitched a no-hitter through four innings before Shane Victorino hit a sharp single to right field scoring Abraham Nunez in the fifth. Two batters later, Ryan Howard hit a grand slam ending Oliver Pérez's first start as a Met. Pérez would obtain a no decision after the Mets retook the lead in the bottom of the seventh. After two subpar starts, on September 6 Pérez threw a complete game shutout against the Atlanta Braves in the second game of a doubleheader. Pérez allowed five hits, struck out six and only allowed one walk which came with two outs in the 9th inning.
After the Mets lost two starting pitchers to injury in the final week before the playoffs started, they were forced to use Pérez in the playoff rotation. His first playoff start came in Game 4 of the NLCS, in which he picked up his first career postseason win.
Perez endeared himself to Mets fans everywhere with a brilliant performance at Shea Stadium in Game 7 of the NLCS. Despite starting on just three days rest, he pitched six solid innings while allowing just one run on four hits, but took a no-decision when the Mets lost the game 3-1 to the Cardinals.
Entering the 2007 season, there were concerns about the Mets' pitching staff and whether Perez could live up to his potential. However, Perez has shown the talent he possessed in 2004. As of September 19th, 2007 he is 14-9 with a 3.43 ERA and 162 strikeouts and 77 walks in 165.1 IP. He has emerged as one of the Mets' most consistent pitchers. On July 2nd, 2007, he was placed on the disabled list with a sore lower back and returned July 15, 2007 and pitched 6 innings, giving up 2 runs on 6 hits with 6 strikeouts and 3 walks beating the Cincinnati Reds to earn his 8th win of the 2007 season.
See also
External links
- Template:Espn mlb
- Career statistics from MLB · ESPN · Baseball Reference · Fangraphs · Baseball Reference (Minors) · Retrosheet