Former Sun Devil and current member of the Colorado Rockies Mike Esposito made his Major League Baseball pitching debut last Tuesday in Colorado against the San Diego Padres.
His debut lasted five innings, in which he gave up three runs.
"It was all right," Esposito said. "I tried to keep my emotions under control and not let the adrenaline take over."
His first career start was definitely rocky. Esposito gave up one run in the first inning, but then he settled down.
"I wanted to keep our team close," Esposito said. "I pitched out of some trouble all night."
Esposito also managed to pitch out of a bases-loaded, two-out jam in the third when he was able to get Khalil Greene to ground out.
Overall, his debut was one that showed potential but was a little shaky throughout. In the end, his first start will act more as a teaching tool than a bar from which to measure.
"These guys (players) are human, too," Esposito said. "They're going to get themselves out sometimes."
Esposito will have to work on controlling his emotions in his future starts this season.
"It's still baseball," he said. "You still have to go out there and do what you do to be successful."
Esposito started in place of injured pitcher Zach Day.
In Tempe, Esposito's start was a reminder of the success of the ASU baseball program.
"It's a great thrill anytime any of your kids makes it," coach Pat Murphy said.
Murphy said he always saw Esposito as a great talent with an equally great chance of making it to the majors.
"You'd like to take some credit, but it is usually all about the kid (Esposito)," Murphy said.
In his second career start Monday, Esposito pitched four and one-third innings and gave up five runs to the Atlanta Braves. He did not figure in the decision, but the Rockies did come back and win the game 6-5.
Reach the reporter at william.hayes@asu.edu.
