Derek Lowe tossed a shutout on May 15, 2012. Mark it down.
Three points of significance:
It was Lowe's first shutout since 2005 and the fourth of his career
He didn't strike out a single batter
He shelved his slider and cutter for the night
There's a connection between Lowe's pitch mix and whiff rate.
Check out the mix and whiff rates for Lowe's starts from 2008 through 2012, excluding the shutout in question (13,440 pitches).
pitch
% of pitches
miss/swing
Sinker
59
.12
Change
11
.26
Fastball
1
.13
Cutter
4
.16
Slider
25
.34
Note the swing-and-missy slider, thrown one of four pitches.
