Notes: Reliever Neftali Feliz made adjustment that might put him back on track

Neftali Feliz believes he discovered what he was doing wrong when he pitched his way out of the closer’s role with the Milwaukee Brewers.

After watching videotape with bullpen coach Lee Tunnell, Feliz saw that he was not staying on top of the ball when he released it, causing his pitches to flatten out with predictable results. Feliz had trouble keeping the ball in the park (five homers in his first 17 innings), prompting manager Craig Counsell to remove him from ninth-inning duty.

But, with the renewed focus to keep his arm angle up Tuesday night, Feliz threw two perfect innings in the Brewers’ 4-3 loss to Toronto at Miller Park. How significant was that result? Feliz hadn’t thrown a clean inning since April 26 against Cincinnati, much less two clean innings.

Counsell could have allowed Feliz to build off the first strong inning and call it a night but thought it best to carry that momentum into a second inning.

“I think that helps guys sometimes when you go back out there after you’ve had a good inning,” Counsell explained. “You can go back out there and kind of cement that. Hopefully, this is part of getting him on the right track and getting him going.”

Which would be nice for all parties involved. The Brewers signed Feliz to a $5.25 million free-agent deal over the off-season to be their closer after a solid 2016 showing as a setup man with Pittsburgh. Corey Knebel has done tremendous work since taking over as closer but the bullpen would be much stronger with an effective Feliz as well.

“My arm felt good,” Feliz said of his outing against the Blue Jays, which included a pair of strikeouts and 18 of 27 pitches thrown for strikes.

“Counsell trusted me to go out there and get three more outs, and build my confidence up. I’m trying to get back and help my team win. My main focus was to get ahead of the hitters and throw strikes. Just go after the hitters. It felt good doing it.”

As for the adjustment he made, Feliz said, “I’ve been looking at a lot of video from the last couple of years when I was throwing the ball well. I adjusted small things in my mechanics to throw more strikes and be consistent. It was mostly keeping my arm up. When I keep my arm up and get on top of the ball, I’m able to get a better finish (on his pitches).”

Feliz said he has not fretted about losing the closer’s role and is not focused on regaining that role.

“It’s part of the game,” he said through translator Carlos Brizuela. “It’s always hard, no matter what. I can’t put my head down. It’s only the beginning. It’s not how you start; it’s how you finish.

“We’ve still got a long way to go to the end of the season. I just try to keep my head up, be positive and try to make adjustments to help the team win. Right now, my mentality is not to get back to being the closer. It doesn’t matter where they put me, as long as I get outs, that’s all that matters.”

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RECAP: Matt Garza hit hard by long ball

BOX SCORE: Blue Jays 8, Brewers 4

MLB: Live scoreboard, box scores, standings, schedules

Peralta shines: Wily Peralta made his second relief appearance since being moved out of the starting rotation and for the second time pitched two scoreless innings. He covered the final two innings Wednesday, allowing two harmless hits and striking out one.

"That's two in a row," Counsell said. "He's really attacking (hitters). He felt good with his slider today. He slowed the hitters down. The multiple innings really help us."

The Brewers certainly had no luck against Toronto's bullpen, which compiled eight scoreless innings while allowing only one hit.

"They pitched well," Counsell said. "That's an area that's been strong for them. I don't know if they were expecting it. They've had a bunch of injuries, especially to some starters. From what I've looked at, they've got some production from their bullpen."

Burdette honored: The Brewers and the Milwaukee Braves Historical Association will induct late Braves pitcher Lew Burdette into the Braves Honor Roll at Miller Park on Friday at 10:30 a.m. The Honor Roll is located on the exterior of the ballpark at the Hot Corner Entrance by TGI Friday's.

Burdette compiled a 173-109 record for Milwaukee, teaming with lefty Warren Spahn for a dynamic 1-2 punch. He was MVP of the 1957 World Series, going 3-0 with a 0.67 ERA, including shutouts in Games 5 and 7, the latter coming on short rest when Spahn became ill.

Burdette becomes the 16th member of the Braves Wall of Honor.