This year, batters are taking a ton of pitches as they try to figure out a particular ump's zone. And this waiting confuses Rueter. He's like a guy who grew up driving in California, and then moves to England and has to drive on the left side of the road, and discovers that most of his important choices behind the wheel are wrong. Righetti admits Rueter has been hurt by the new strike zone, but he's also impatient with the topic. He has to take the umpires out of the equation.
Most batters take it, anyway.
He's got to take his chances. You'll be interested to know Rueter is in good spirits despite getting his brains beat out in Philly. On Monday night, he pointed out that he's already won three games, which isn't so bad for this time of year. And he gave up 13 runs in two excessively horrible innings, which means his other innings have been respectable. That way, I won't give up six runs.