Camilo Doval of the Giants is still learning at work, including how to handle emotions
ATLANTA – Throughout last year’s stretch run and the postseason, young and relaxed young reliever Camillo Dowell showed just how much more experienced San Francisco Giants players are.
In the Giants’ 12-10 win on Tuesday, the 24-year-old Dowell showed some rare indignation when he dropped his gloves to the floor after the second game of the ninth inning. Dowell, who had the majority of the team’s chances to save, was still upset at Matt Olson for giving up a two-run homer to a batter. Plus, he thought three was out.
After the match, Dowell promised manager Gabe Kapler he would never do anything like that again.
On Wednesday, with Ervin Higuros commentary, Dowell said he was “a little frustrated” and explained that he wanted to throw the slider but decided to stick to a pitch called fastball.
He said he had no problem shaking the catcher and opted not for Tuesday. “I’ve always had input, but yesterday I went with what the catcher was asking for,” Doval said.
Kapler said he has no problem at the moment of the pick – he understands and celebrates players who express emotions in games.
“I think it was a great stimulus to have a discussion when we were talking about how to get in the zone of how to use frustration, how to use failure, how to use frustration, after today’s game. Challenges to really focus and stay locked up,” Kapler said Wednesday. Doval and Bilingual coach Nick Ortiz sat down with him.
“One of the things I love about Camillo is that he burns a lot on the mound when he makes a big pitch. It’s never a problem. We’ve had a few instances around the game over the last few days where there’s been some extra emotion and every time, I think it’s better for baseball.
Dovall has no friend and mentor Johnny Cueto this season, but Doval said he has occasional conversations with Cueto and that he has plenty of pitchers to rotate in the bullpen. Doval said: “I have a good relationship with the rest of the guys here. I talk to them. They give me instructions. They give me suggestions.”
Did he hear from Kyoto about the Glove Slam? “I’m sure they haven’t seen it yet,” Doval said.
Dowell, in his first full season, entered Wednesday with just 61 games of the regular-season big-league experience and saved just 19 chances. He is still learning the ropes and although he is pitching well – he did not score in his previous nine games before allowing two hits and winning the ninth Monday – the first two games in Atlanta have not gone. As planned.
“There is always something good in the bad,” Doval said. “So I think I have to go ahead and get the good out of this bad. Know what happened, leave it behind and move on.”
Susan Slusser includes the Giants for The San Francisco Chronicle. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @susanslusser
