St. Louis Post-Dispatch
June 3, 2002

Morris Has Blues After Recent Struggle to Find His Rhythm

By Bernie Miklasz

Matt Morris won 22 games last season, pitched masterfully in the playoffs, then opened 2002 with four consecutive victories in a run of dominance that elevated him to the elite class of National League starters.

After his first nine starts this season, Morris was 6-2 with a 2.53 ERA. But in his past four starts, he's labored through some difficulties. His arm may have been tired after pushing through consecutive wins over the Chicago Cubs, including a complete-game shutout on May 13. The Cincinnati Reds drilled Morris on May 18. Then he was ill for his start against the Astros on May 23. During his next start, the win at Houston on May 28, Morris developed a blood blister on one of his pitching fingers.

Sunday at Busch Stadium, Morris was respectable against the Pittsburgh Pirates, allowing three earned runs in seven innings. But he absorbed a 5-2 loss. And in his past four starts, Morris is 1-2 with a 6.13 ERA and has given up 27 hits and 13 walks in 22 innings. The slump has dropped his overall record to 7-4, with a 3.45 ERA.

"He gave up three runs in seven innings and questions are being asked about him," manager Tony La Russa said. "That tells you how good he's been and how good he is."

These pitching scuffles are normal for commoners, but Morris has spoiled Cardinal Nation with his emergence as a No. 1 starter, a top gun, a Cy Young award contender and the ace of the St. Louis staff.

Morris, 27, had advanced to the point where he could intimidate hitters and inspire his teammates. And when the scene of his assignment was Busch Stadium, forget about it. Morris could be counted on to deliver wins on demand, evoking memories of the great Bob Gibson. But even the home-turf authority has diminished; in his past three Busch starts, Morris is 0-2 with a 5.47 ERA.

And so now we're all wondering what's wrong, only because it is Matt Morris and not Andy Benes.

"That's what happens when you win 20 games," pitching coach Dave Duncan said. "Everybody expects you to win every time you go out there. That doesn't happen, but I think the thing Matt expects himself to do is compete every time he goes out there. And he has done that. It's not always at his best level, but he's human, just like everybody else. Pitchers will go through that and right now he's a little flat."

There are no questions about Matty Mo's heart. He didn't have his best stuff Sunday but scrapped his way through seven tough innings. Just as he'd scratched out the win at Houston. And just as he'd unhooked himself from an IV at a St. Louis hospital on May 23 to give the Cardinals 4 1/3 innings vs. the Astros.

And there are no apparent concerns over his arm, though La Russa and Duncan will give Morris an extra day of rest before each of his next two starts. Perhaps fatigue is a factor.

"It's a nice time of the year for that," La Russa said. "He's been going hard, taking the ball on his regular turn. He's faced a lot of tough matchups. He's one of the real quality pitchers so hitters really get ready for him. I think this is a good time for him to pitch with the extra day."

In the unanimous opinion of the manager, pitching coach and Morris, the real issue is rhythm. Morris is out of whack in his delivery. He rushes. Or he's too slow. In either case, he isn't smooth. And he's missing his spots, which enables hitters to exploit his mistakes.

"Matt's not 100 percent on time right now," Duncan said. "His velocity is down a little bit, and he's not executing pitches like he normally does. Pitchers will go through that periodically. His stuff is still good to where he can go out and compete, but he's not Matt Morris right now. He's just inconsistent with his rhythm, and he'll find it. Maybe in his next start."

Morris was subdued after Sunday's loss.

"I can't feel it," Morris said of his cadence.

But he will, simply because he's Matt Morris.

Still one of the best.