Q&A with Cyclones Pitcher Tim Stronach

With 1-0 record and a 1.86 ERA in two starts with the Cyclones this season, Tim Stronach has rebounded from an unimpressive 14-game stint with Savannah, where he went 2-7 and a 5.45 ERA. Sitting down with Inside Pitch, Stronach talked about his game and the transition he is making in Brooklyn.

Inside Pitch Magazine: What do you think of Brooklyn so far?

Tim Stronach: I love it here, I think the atmosphere is great. It took me a little while to get going in Savannah, but now I’m here and I’m going to be doing my very best out there every time I get called upon. They told me that I was pitching well in Savannah, but here in Brooklyn, I have more of an opportunity to pitch. Looking at the way this team plays defense, a guy like me could have a lot of success here. I’m happy I’m here.

Inside Pitch: How are things different in Savannah?

Stronach: Things are very different in Savannah. They usually have about a thousand people at every game and we have about eight times that, so it’s pretty exciting. For someone like me, who loves pitching under pressure and playing behind exciting fans, you couldn’t have asked for more.

Inside Pitch: The ballpark in Savannah isn’t in the same shape as Keyspan, can you tell us a little about it?

Stronach: It’s really old there. I think it’s 295 down the left field wall. I think they’re going to be doing some renovations over there during the offseason, so I think it’ll be more pitcher-friendly.

Inside Pitch: What did you think of making the transition from Savannah to Brooklyn?

Stronach: It’s a higher league up, so it is great is pitch there, but as long as I’m getting innings, I don’t care where I pitch. I really like the fans here though and they kind of make you more aware of you game by being so involved. Like I said, the atmosphere here is just really great and I enjoy pitching here.

Inside Pitch: You’ve been pretty solid in your first two starts in Brooklyn, what are you doing on the mound?

Stronach: I’m just keeping the ball down in the zone here, something I didn’t do often enough in Savannah. I’m just getting a lot more ground balls and I’m letting the defense take care of business.

Inside Pitch: What’s the biggest difference between Savannah and Brooklyn?

Stronach: I think Savannah is a little more laid back. It’s obvious that everyone really wants to win here, but I really like the pressure of pitching here and I think I’m a better player in those types of situations.”

Inside Pitch: Have you set any goals for yourself this season?

Stronach: I just want to keep my ERA under three this season. I had it under four last season and I always try and ask more out of myself every season. If I do that, I’ll be a happy guy.

Inside Pitch: Is there anything about your game that you’d like to change right now?

Stronach: I’d like to get more strikeouts. I’ve been giving up more hits in 1-2 and 0-2 counts. I’m not really a strikeout pitcher, but in counts like those, that’s when you have to really bear down. I’ve also been giving up most of my hits in counts like that, so I just have to take advantage more when I have the count in my favor. I can’t think of a better way to do that than with a few strikeouts.