Luis Garcia pitched a scoreless seventh inning in the Phillies' 7-3 win over the Marlins Tuesday night (see Instant Replay).
It's nothing new for Garcia. The hard-throwing righty has now pitched 13 2/3 straight scoreless innings dating back to Sept. 11 of last season.
Garcia has been so locked in lately, he didn't realize it had been that long since he'd given up a run.
"I'm not thinking about what happened last year or what happened yesterday," he said. "The day I have the ball I try to do what I have to do to get people out."
This focus has helped Garcia stay up with the big club after being shuffled up and down from the minors over the last two seasons.
The 28-year-old Dominican's biggest issue has been his command. Prior to the scoreless streak, he had walked 32 batters in 38 2/3 innings to start his career. In the last 13 2/3, he has allowed seven free passes.
It's not like Garcia is throwing strikes just for the sake of throwing strikes, either. He has been dominant, striking out 11 and holding opponents to a .133 average (6 for 45) during the scoreless run.
MLB
Ryne Sandberg apparently likes what he sees. Garcia's last five appearances have all come during the seventh inning, including the game against the Marlins. Sandberg was not prepared to say Garcia has taken the role from lefty Jake Diekman.
"No, he's an option for the seventh," Sandberg said. "Diekman's our only left-handed pitcher, so we save him for some situations and spots against left-handed batters.
"But with all the right-handers, Garcia was the guy tonight. The bullpen was good tonight."
Ken Giles and Jonathan Papelbon followed Garcia with a scoreless inning each. The three combined gave up two hits, walked none, struck out four and, most importantly, gave up no runs.
On the season, Garcia, Giles and Papelbon have yet to allow an earned run in 19 total innings.
Giles isn't really surprised by the success of Garcia or anyone in the bullpen. He doesn't put value on defined roles. As long as the bullpen is getting outs, everyone is happy.
"Just starting off where we were last year as a unit," Giles said. "Just continuing to help each other out. Just giving each other advice pretty much.
"It's not one person, it's the whole group. Everybody wants to do well in their part, no matter what part it is."
Garcia said he isn't worrying much about his role. The unit's success as a whole has pushed him to get better when he gets the ball. Sandberg may not declare Garcia as his seventh-inning guy, but the manager has relied on Garcia more. And the pitcher has noticed.
"Of course it's great when they have confidence in you," Garcia said. "They bring you in that situation where the game is close. It's a great feeling to get in a ballgame like that."