D-backs’ Gibson knew Patrick Corbin was capable of hot start
Apr 29, 2013, 3:05 AM
The Arizona Diamondbacks are getting used to Patrick Corbin making a quality start every fifth day and that’s something manager Kirk Gibson was planning on heading into the 2013 season.
Corbin’s performance was no different on Sunday when the lefty worked 6.2 innings against the Rockies and gave up only two earned runs in the win.
After the game Gibson was asked if he was starting to like what Corbin is bringing to the team.
“Starting to? I’ve liked him since last spring. Not this spring but the one before,” Gibson said. “He just competes. He works on the things, he understands the tools that he’s acquired and he utilizes it. He’s got good game.”
Corbin opened the season with five straight starts of at least six innings and two runs allowed or less. That streak is second longest by a D-backs pitcher in club history, trailing only Dan Haren’s six-game stretch in 2009.
Gibson has also said on more than one occasion that he was very close to keeping Corbin on the major league staff in 2012, but decided that the youngster needed a little more time in the minors.
Corbin is aware of the decision Gibson made last season and he views it in a positive light.
“I think he (Gibson) mentioned it once. I think it was just cause I was younger and gave me a couple more starts until I came up here,” Corbin said. “I think last year was just a good learning experience for me and something that I’m going to continue this year.”
The 23-year-old ranks seventh among all starting pitchers 25-years-old or younger with a 1.91 ERA and 14th overall in the big leagues. In 33 innings pitched in 2013, Corbin has allowed just seven earned runs while striking out 25 and walking only seven batters.
