For the first time in a long while, an MLB box score had me searching for video.  Alas, for whatever reason, there is video of Dan Cortes in his first MLB outing -- http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=12419613 -- but nothing of him striking out the side on Sunday.

So, settle for the Gameday pitch-by-pitch:

Brignac:

1. 95 FB Called strike

2. 95 FB Swinging strike

3. 97 FB Ball

4. 96 FB Swining strike

Pena:

1. 98 FB Ball

2. 84 Slider Called strike

3. 96 FB Ball

4. 96 FB Swinging strike

5. 97 FB Swinging strike

Shoppach:

1. 85 Slider Ball

2. 97 FB Foul

3. 97 FB Foul

4. 86 Slider Ball

5. 97 FB Foul

6. 98 FB Swinging strike

The video from the prior game does give a flavor of his fastball and slider combo.

Quick career recap:

7th round HS pick by WhiteSox in 2005, traded to KC when CWS acquired Mike MacDougal in 06.  Worked his way up the ladder as a starter, and was considered a top KC prospect, but started stalling out at AA.  After some disorderly conduct, he was shipped to Seattle for Yuniesky Betancourt as both sides cut losses.

He kept repeating AA and each time his walks would go up, until finally this year eveyone threw up their hands and tried him in the bullpen.  Viola!  Velocity up (all the way to 100), walks down.

09 (starter): 140.1 IP, 0.45 HR/9, 5.45 BB/9, 7.18 K/9

10 (starter): 74.0 IP, 0.49 HR/9, 5.96 BB/9, 7.91 K/9

10 (reliever); 28.1 IP, 0.32 HR/9, 3.49 BB/9, 10.80 K/9

On to MLB, where he has yet to give up a baserunner in his two innings of work: 6 outs, 4 Ks, 2 groundouts.

The sudden success of Cortes in relief and the acquisition of Lueke (assuming Z's statement: "we're moving forward and he's pitching for us" still applies) really changes the complexion of the bullpen going forward.  And another fireballer, Stephen Pryor (13.03 K/9 in the low minors), is zooming up the ladder right behind them, as is the unhittable LOOGY Brian Moran (faced 84 lefties, struck out 31, walked 2).