After DL stint, Strop looks for command and consistency

The Orioles and their fans are hoping Pedro Strop will soon show a return to the form he showed much of last season when he had an ERA of 1.43 in late August. A pitcher with a history of some control issues, Strop walked 5.0 batters per every nine innings last season and that figure is up to 6.8 this year. He just came off the disabled list on Saturday and pitched a scoreless inning on just 12 pitches in the game that day against Tampa Bay. He said the DL stint provided him time to work on some things and he wants to prove he can start throwing more strikes and getting more consistent outs. "We had time to work on some stuff," Strop said. "We put some things into practice and I think it was good. I wanted to use the time in a positive way. "Was just working on some mechanical stuff like staying on line and don't cross over my body. Just a few things that really matter with my mechanics. I feel pretty good right now. I don't feel any pain. Definitely feeling pretty good." Strop's ERA was 7.88 in April and 4.66 in May. He had a 13-game stretch from April 21 to May 19 when he allowed just one earned run over 11 1/3 innings. But he certainly hasn't found much consistency this year. However, manager Buck Showalter has supported Strop and is giving him chances to regain his 2012 form. "That is always good when the manager and pitching coach have trust in you. It makes it easier to trust in yourself," he said.