The relief experiment started for the Phillies' 2007 first-round pick Thursday night and it went well. His pitching line, however, looked more like that of a starter than a reliever. In seven innings against Syracuse, Savery allowed just five hits and one run with seven strikeouts and no walks.
That would have qualified as his best start of the season if it had not come in relief of Alex Concepcion, a reliever who pitched just two innings in his first start of the year. Despite the length of his outing, Savery told the Allentown Morning Call that something was different about pitching in relief.
"Coming out of the 'pen, I felt like we went to everything right away and weren't trying to establish the fastball," Savery said. "We came out firing from the get-go with everything. Maybe that's just how I need to pitch."
Savery, 24, did something else he loves during his relief appearance: He got to hit, going 2 for 3 with a double.
"One of the hardest adjustments for me in pro ball has been playing one day and watching four, so this may be more of a chance to be more involved in the game," Savery said. "I'll get a chance to compete more often and that could help with everything."
At Rice University, Savery was never a spectator. When he wasn't pitching, he was playing first base and he led the Owls in hitting during his freshman and junior seasons. He finished his college career batting .356 with 56 doubles, 20 home runs and 169 RBIs.
"Like I said, I do miss that," Savery said. "I've never apologized for that. I always liked hitting every day. It is what I grew up doing my whole life. I never sat on the sidelines."
