Turn the page

Manager Dave Trembley suggested that we all "turn the page on spring training" when discussing Jeremy Guthrie. Sounds like a plan. Guthrie was 0-4 with a 7.40 ERA in six starts, with 28 hits, 13 walks, 16 strikeouts and three hit batters in 20 2/3 innings. Turn the page. Maybe we should flip backward, since Guthrie posted a 2.08 ERA in two starts against Tampa Bay last season. He allowed three runs, walked one and struck out six in 13 innings. The Rays didn't homer off him. "I like Guthrie to pitch the way he did against Tampa last year. He made a couple starts against these guys last year and had real good numbers," Trembley said. "The last time he pitched, obviously, in spring training was a minor league game and (Rick) Kranitz told me that was more of what we're accustomed to seeing, him down in the strike zone. "I think with Guthrie in particular, the area you need to focus on is the first inning. If he gets through the first inning, gets a little momentum, he'll seem to be on a roll. And also with Jeremy is getting that third out. There are things sometimes that happen where he'll rush it, elevate the ball and the third out takes a little bit longer than normal. "He's pitched well against these guys, it's a tough place to play, things happen quickly. You can't walk people. You've got to pitch down. "