Since beating Bert Blyleven and the Angels on Sept. 18, 1992, Erickson has earned 33 decisions in regular-season and spring-training games. His record is 8-25, including 8-19 last season.
He has a career April record of 2-8, and he went 4-11 at the Metrodome last season. Is there a reason to believe he's ready to approach 20 victories again, instead of 20 losses?
"I can't control what happens after I release the ball," Erickson said. "The biggest thing for me as far as a goal is innings pitched. Hopefully I'll be able to increase that number this year. I've increased each of the last three years. That's something I can control, as opposed to wins and losses."
Erickson was hurt more than any other Twin by the departure of shortstop Greg Gagne after the '92 season. For his career, Erickson elicits 2.23 grounders for every fly ball. Last year, the ratio was 2.14 to 1. He needs solid fielding to be effective. He also needs to follow the cardinal rules of pitching, by keeping the ball down and changing speeds to make his sinking fastball more effective.
"The last three starts of spring, I didn't throw the ball well," he said. "I got the ball up. At least I know what I'm doing wrong, so I can correct it. I need to turn the volume up, step it up a notch."
Pitching coach Dick Such said hitters have learned to lay off Erickson's sinking fastball - his key pitch when he won 20 in '91 - when it's not a strike. "I really don't see much difference in Scotty other than that the league has adapted to him a little," Such said. "He just needs to locate the ball a little better."
Thanks to Debbie for sending me this article