By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com
Call it a "dead arm" day. At least, that's what Marlins lefty Scott Olsen would like to think it was.
The 24-year-old simply had no life on his fastball on Sunday. Rarely did it crank up to as high as 87 mph, and it ranged in the low- to mid-80s for much of his six innings in a no-decision against the Nationals in Washington.
Still, Olsen competed for six innings, giving up four runs, including two homers. He struck out one and walked two. In all, his pitch count was 59.
Asked on Monday if he is going through a dead arm period, Olsen said: "I hope so. That would give me a little peace of mind."
Olsen is a major reason the Marlins are posting the best record in the Major Leagues as they open a four-game series at Cincinnati.
Olsen insists that he is not injured. In Spring Training he missed some time with shoulder tendinitis.
On Monday, the left-hander, who is 4-1 with a 2.63 ERA in eight starts, did his normal day after pitching routine. But during his labored outing on Sunday, he told manager Fredi Gonzalez and pitching coach Mark Wiley that he would have to muddle through without his "A-game" stuff.
"I don't know, maybe it was one of those days," Gonzalez said. "In his last start, it was 8 2/3 [innings]. Maybe it was just one of those things. But there was a couple of times he cranked it up to 88.
"But he pitched and he competed, which is a good sign when he doesn't have his good stuff. He came into the dugout, and he told Mark and me, 'I'm not going to break any radar guns today, but I'm going to compete.'"
A no-alibi guy, Olsen quipped: "I don't think I've thrown that slow since I was like 13 years old."
Looking for reasons for the dip in velocity, the team pointed to the fact that Olsen threw 8 2/3 innings and 121 pitches (both career highs) in his previous start.
Olsen has been a workhorse on a youthful Florida staff. His 54 2/3 innings are tied with Jake Peavy and Ervin Santana for the ninth most in the Major Leagues.
What was going through Olsen's mind when his fastball was sputtering?
"That stinks," he said. "It's irritating. I hope it comes back."
Olsen's next start is Friday at Dolphin Stadium against Kansas City.
Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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