Burnett amazed by Giles confidence & production

WASHINGTON -- It's interesting to see how even the hardened Phillies veterans are taken back by the extraordinary performance this season of rookie righthander Ken Giles.

With a shutout inning of relief in Saturday's 3-1 win over the host Washington Nationals, Giles ERA is now 1.16. In 38 2/3 innings he has struck out 56 and walked nine.

Saturday's winning pitcher, 37-year-old A.J. Burnett, recalled his first meeting with Giles and it gave the veteran an indication of the confidence that he possesses.

"I had pitched 7-8 innings and he came in after me and said, 'I got your back' Burnett recalled, still laughing at the thought. "I said, 'what, that is the first thing out of your mouth to a veteran guy.'"

But it showed Burnett how much confidence Giles, who turns 24 on Sept. 20, has in himself.

"It shows you the kid wants to pitch and learn and get better and that is what is happening," Burnett said.

The reason for the bullpen's improvement according to Burnett is that many of the young pitchers were able to learn by their early mistakes in the majors

There has been one exception.

"G-Cheese hasn't really had any down times," Burnett said referring to one of Giles' nicknames.

Giles has faced 141 total batters this season and he has struck out 56 after punching out two of the three he faced on Saturday.

A total of 33 of his 37 MLB appearances have been scoreless.

He has not allowed an earned run in seven consecutive innings.

Giles hasn't worn down one bit. His fastball clocked as high a 99 MPH on Saturday. His slider is so much sharper than when he began the season at Double-A Reading.

Giles' progress has been amazing. Even players like Burnett, who has seen virtually everything in the sport, can't seem to believe what he is witnessing out of Giles this season.