World Games Cited as Cause for Pitchers' Woes

Buck Martinez, manager of the U.S. team in the World Classic Games in March, has conceded that slow starts or unusual difficulties experienced by pitchers Jake Peavy of the Padres, Carlos Silva of the Twins, Brad Lidge of the Astros and others may be attributable to improper conditioning caused by their participation in the international games instead of spring training. Martinez made the observation Wednesday on the XM Radio morning baseball program.