SAN FRANCISCO — Ivan Rodriguez got his first opportunity to watch his son Dereck pitch for the Giants in San Francisco Friday night and had front-row seats to Dereck’s impressive two-run, 6.2 inning performance. This lengthened his string of quality starts and put the Giants in a position to take the lead late and snap their four-game losing streak.
“He’s doing good so far,” Rodriguez Sr. said during a fourth-inning interview. “He’s locating the pitches very well, and that’s one of the best things that he does. He’s not a power pitcher, but he locates the fastball in and out, and Buster is doing a great job with him so far for the year.”
Pudge also delved into his relationship with Dereck and how he went about teaching him the game.
“I always had a very good relationship with him, and I’ve brought him since [he was] one year old to the ballpark, and he knows what it takes to be a very good baseball player,” Rodriguez said. “Just discipline, and doing things the best way.”
Despite Ivan’s prominent positioning near the Giants’ dugout and his appearances on the AT&T Park jumbotron, Dereck was unfazed by his father’s presence.
Dereck Rodríguez talked about what it was like to have his father Iván Rodríguez watch him for the first time here at AT&T Park pic.twitter.com/GkePE46vSf
— KNBR (@KNBR) July 7, 2018
“I mean, I didn’t even notice until after they told me. But it is what it is. I guess you just have to live with it,” Rodriguez said with a grin.
Ivan previously saw Dereck pitch in Miami against the Marlins.
For more Giants videos click here.
