Collmenter credits curveball for hot streak

By Anthony Fenech / MLB.com | 07/24/11

PHOENIX -- Josh Collmenter isn't the same pitcher he was a month or two ago.

For proof, look at the numbers.

Two straight victories, three straight quality starts and on Saturday, with a scoreless first inning, he recorded a scoreless streak of 15 innings for the second time this season.

The results, Collmenter said, are due in no small part to his newfound confidence in his curveball.

"I've been able to get some outs with it and I've been more confident to throw it in situations that I probably wouldn't have earlier in the season," he said.

Collmenter said that battery mate Miguel Montero called for more curveballs in Saturday's win.

"It's good to see that he has confidence in it and that he knows I can execute that pitch," Collmenter said. "It's good to execute that third pitch, especially for seeing hitters the second and third time around."

The 25-year-old right-hander has a 5-5 record with a 3.00 ERA in 13 starts this season.

"I like to see it," D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said of Collmenter's curveball. "I think if he's going to continue to be a starter, that's always good to have a third pitch.

"But he knows how to pitch."