Harang works out kinks, optimistic for future

PITTSBURGH -- Veteran right-hander Aaron Harang has pieced together back-to-back solid outings, giving the Mariners hope that he will add more pitching depth to their starting rotation.

Harang had been tagged for 16 earned runs over 12 2/3 innings in three April starts before sitting down for a video session with pitching coach Carl Willis. They discovered a kink in Harang's windup that caused his pitches to flatten out and stay high in the strike zone.

Armed with that adjustment, Harang tossed six strong innings for the Mariners in a 4-1 loss to the Pirates on Tuesday night. The right-hander gave up two runs on five hits and took the loss, falling to 1-4 on the season.

"I think with the three weeks off at the beginning of the season and just trying to keep myself in a rhythm, I was working more out of the stretch than anything," Harang said. "I think once I got back into a normal routine, I was kind of thrown off a little bit. We've done our work trying to figure things out, and obviously the last two starts have shown that's where I need to be at.

"I felt like I was really getting a good rhythm and good tempo with everything, and I was able to throw pitches where I wanted to and I was keeping the ball down in the zone."

Mariners manager Eric Wedge was encouraged by Harang's last outing.

"Those last three innings in particular -- that was as good as we've seen him," Wedge said.