LaRoche benched following fielding blunders

ST. LOUIS -- It is an awful feeling to make three errors in the first two games of the season. However, Pirates third baseman Andy LaRoche has been through even worse.

In 2005, LaRoche played in his first game at the Double-A level. He made three errors -- on the first two balls hit his way.

"Not fun at all," LaRoche said. "I was booed by my own crowd."

In Monday's season-opener against the St . Louis Cardinals , LaRoche made two fielding blunders. Tuesday, he made another. The errors led to three runs.

"It kind of brings back those memories," LaRoche said. "The feeling I had after that (Double-A) game was kind of like the feeling I had after (Tuesday's) game. It's like, 'Aw, man, really? C'mon.' "

Dropping the ball

Andy LaRoche

career error totals:

Year

Level

Games

Errors

2004

Low-A

65

9

2004

A

62

12

2005

A

63

13

2005

AA

64

8

2006

AA

62

10

2006

AAA

55

5

2007

AAA

73

9

2007

Dodgers

35

3

2008

AA

6

0

2008

AAA

39

6

2008

Dodgers

27

1

2008

Pirates

49

9

LaRoche was benched for Wednesday night's game against the Cardinals . Ramon Vazquez made his first start at third base for the Pirates.

"Just a chance to give Andy a little break and let him relax a bit," manager John Russell said. "We're fortunate that we have someone who can step in and play there and take a little pressure off Andy."

Early yesterday afternoon, LaRoche took extra fielding practice on the field at Busch Stadium. He spent a half-hour working with Russell, infield instructor Perry Hill and two other coaches.

To figure out what's wrong, Hill spent five innings Tuesday night zeroed in on LaRoche.

"He's a good athlete, and he's got good hands," Hill said. "I wondered why he was late in reacting."

Finally, Hill noticed LaRoche was flipping his glove. LaRoche had the open part of his glove facing him instead of turning it out toward plate. When a ball was hit, LaRoche had to rush to flip over his glove, which cost him a split-second of reaction time.

"When those missiles are hit at you, you don't want any extra movement," LaRoche said. "I guess it's just one of those things you don't think about it and you don't even realize you're doing it until somebody points it out."

LaRoche will continue taking the extra fielding work until he eliminates the flip. He wasn't thrilled about getting yesterday off.

"Not at all," LaRoche said. "I never want an off day unless there's something physically wrong."



Author: Fox Sports
Author's Website: http://www.foxsports.com
Added: April 10, 2009