TAMPA, Fla. --
“My timing is getting more precise, being able to replicate multiple games,” Stanton said. “I’ve been able to make the adjustments. The past game or two, my timing wasn’t there. I was able to go make the adjustments and come back and feel a little better.\n\n“So that’s usually how spring goes. Put back to back together, put three in a row.”\n\nSince playing his first spring game on March 5, Stanton has four hits in 11 at-bats (.364). Three of those have left the ballpark.\n\n\"I feel like all of his at-bats have been really, really good,” manager Aaron Boone said. “He’s not chasing. He’s controlling the strike zone. That’s what we saw him do a little better last year; not \\[having\\] some of the wild chases.\n\n“He’s one of the guys that really benefits from his experience and applies it. I think he knows himself. He knows his routine and how to create a plan going into the games. I feel like he’s about ready to go.”
Stanton has spoken about the maintenance needed to play through the epicondylitis in both elbows that limited him to 77 games last season, delaying his debut until mid-June. While the issue has not resolved, Stanton said he has found a routine that makes it manageable to perform.\n\nSo what does a typical day look like -- for example, one that includes two long homers off Toronto pitchers?\n\n\"Today was a long day,” Stanton said. “We had a lot of pregame meetings and some team stuff, and then I just get my full routine in -- make sure I get enough running in, the Trajekt timing.\n\n\"I think it’s more with all that I’ve got to do pregame, to get all that in with getting my timing right, \\[I have\\] to make sure I still have time before the game for a little break to then go out. In spring, sometimes I get pushed right into the game. So it’s about getting the pregame flow in.”
**Throwing gas**\n\n
Over four dominant relief innings Wednesday, Lagrange threw 19 fastballs that averaged 101.5 mph, maxing at 103.1 mph. He was so efficient, Lagrange had to empty the rest of his allotted pitch count in the bullpen after the game.\n\n“He just continues to be really, really excellent,” Boone said. “This is all we’ve seen from his live \\[batting practices\\], now carrying into games. Just getting to know him, we’re obviously excited about it.”\n\nAs for Schlittler, Boone said his first two innings were “about as dominant as you’re going to see,” with five strikeouts on 25 pitches. Schlittler fanned six over 3 2/3 innings, touched by a Jesús Sánchez RBI double in the fourth.
**First impression**\n\n