METS SWEEP BRAVESRAIN-SHORTENED WIN GIVES PELFREY ANOTHER SHUTOUT
Mets starter Mike Pelfrey has four victories in four starts this season, but Sunday night’s quirky triumph — 1-0 over the Atlanta Braves — merits an asterisk for at least two reasons. The game lasted only one pitch into the sixth inning, ended early by rain. Despite the shortened game, Pelfrey had already left, having thrown 106 pitches in five innings. He extended his streak of scoreless innings to a career-best 24 as the Mets ran their winning streak to four games, a season high. The season is only three weeks old but they have won a 20-inning game (by 2-1, in St. Louis, on April 17, with Pelfrey getting the save) and this five-inning one. “I can’t say I was pleased with my outing,” Pelfrey said. “I was obviously pretty lucky. I got some huge double plays and Mother Nature was on our side. “I must be living right.” Pelfrey did not get credit for a complete game, however, because relief pitcher Raul Valdes threw one pitch in the top of the sixth before lightning flashed, rain poured and the grounds crew covered the field with a tarp. After a delay of about 90 minutes, the umpires called the game. The Mets have won six of their last seven and are above .500 (10-9) for the first time since they beat the Florida Marlins on opening day. Braves starter Tommy Hanson (1-2) took the loss Sunday despite an impressive performance in which he struck out eight. The Mets scored in the first inning when Jose Reyes singled, stole second and scored after Braves third baseman Chipper Jones made a wild throw to first on an infield hit by Jason Bay. Pelfrey struggled early, needing 31 pitches to get out of a first-inning, bases-loaded jam. He left after giving up five hits and five walks in five innings. Pelfrey was visited on the mound frequently by catcher Henry Blanco, his infielders and by the pitching coach, Dan Warthen. Pelfrey induced double-play ground balls to get out of trouble in the third and fifth innings. “We deserve a break here and there,” said Manager Jerry Manuel, who praised Pelfrey for persevering in difficult circumstances. “He was able to bob and weave and keep himself out of trouble,” Manuel said. Pelfrey is one of two right-handed starters in the Mets’ five-man rotation. The other, John Maine, reported some relatively good news Sunday after finishing a bullpen session. “Good to go,” Maine said before the game, giving a thumbs-up to indicate he would work his next start Wednesday afternoon against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Maine’s latest problem — left arm pain — put him out of Friday night’s game in the fourth inning and left him muttering the word “frustrating” amid phrases like “it’s one thing after another.” On Sunday, Manuel said, “We don’t see any reason that he would not make his next start.” Manuel said he was not sure how Maine had hurt himself. The injury is similar to one that forced Maine out of a game two years ago but did not cost him any starts. Whatever it was, it did not seem to overly concern the Mets’ medical staff. Manuel said X-rays or a magnetic resonance imaging test had not been ordered. Maine, bothered by problems with his right shoulder the previous two seasons, has tried various techniques to regain the velocity on his fastball this season. He has increased his bullpen work between starts, and Manuel said that the extra work had nothing to do with the injury on Friday. Maine also recently got his hair cut short to try to change his luck. In his four starts this season, Maine is 0-1 with an 8.64 earned run average. He showed little emotion after Sunday’s 30-minute throwing session. But he had a skip to his step as he went through the door that leads to the off-limits training room of the clubhouse. Sitting near the door, strumming a guitar, was his teammate Alex Cora, a utility infielder, who began to sing: “John Maine is ready to go! He’s making his next start!” (NY Times)
Mets starter Mike Pelfrey has four victories in four starts this season, but Sunday night’s quirky triumph — 1-0 over the Atlanta Braves — merits an asterisk for at least two reasons. The game lasted only one pitch into the sixth inning, ended early by rain. Despite the shortened game, Pelfrey had already left, having thrown 106 pitches in five innings. He extended his streak of scoreless innings to a career-best 24 as the Mets ran their winning streak to four games, a season high. The season is only three weeks old but they have won a 20-inning game (by 2-1, in St. Louis, on April 17, with Pelfrey getting the save) and this five-inning one. “I can’t say I was pleased with my outing,” Pelfrey said. “I was obviously pretty lucky. I got some huge double plays and Mother Nature was on our side. “I must be living right.” Pelfrey did not get credit for a complete game, however, because relief pitcher Raul Valdes threw one pitch in the top of the sixth before lightning flashed, rain poured and the grounds crew covered the field with a tarp. After a delay of about 90 minutes, the umpires called the game. The Mets have won six of their last seven and are above .500 (10-9) for the first time since they beat the Florida Marlins on opening day. Braves starter Tommy Hanson (1-2) took the loss Sunday despite an impressive performance in which he struck out eight. The Mets scored in the first inning when Jose Reyes singled, stole second and scored after Braves third baseman Chipper Jones made a wild throw to first on an infield hit by Jason Bay. Pelfrey struggled early, needing 31 pitches to get out of a first-inning, bases-loaded jam. He left after giving up five hits and five walks in five innings. Pelfrey was visited on the mound frequently by catcher Henry Blanco, his infielders and by the pitching coach, Dan Warthen. Pelfrey induced double-play ground balls to get out of trouble in the third and fifth innings. “We deserve a break here and there,” said Manager Jerry Manuel, who praised Pelfrey for persevering in difficult circumstances. “He was able to bob and weave and keep himself out of trouble,” Manuel said. Pelfrey is one of two right-handed starters in the Mets’ five-man rotation. The other, John Maine, reported some relatively good news Sunday after finishing a bullpen session. “Good to go,” Maine said before the game, giving a thumbs-up to indicate he would work his next start Wednesday afternoon against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Maine’s latest problem — left arm pain — put him out of Friday night’s game in the fourth inning and left him muttering the word “frustrating” amid phrases like “it’s one thing after another.” On Sunday, Manuel said, “We don’t see any reason that he would not make his next start.” Manuel said he was not sure how Maine had hurt himself. The injury is similar to one that forced Maine out of a game two years ago but did not cost him any starts. Whatever it was, it did not seem to overly concern the Mets’ medical staff. Manuel said X-rays or a magnetic resonance imaging test had not been ordered. Maine, bothered by problems with his right shoulder the previous two seasons, has tried various techniques to regain the velocity on his fastball this season. He has increased his bullpen work between starts, and Manuel said that the extra work had nothing to do with the injury on Friday. Maine also recently got his hair cut short to try to change his luck. In his four starts this season, Maine is 0-1 with an 8.64 earned run average. He showed little emotion after Sunday’s 30-minute throwing session. But he had a skip to his step as he went through the door that leads to the off-limits training room of the clubhouse. Sitting near the door, strumming a guitar, was his teammate Alex Cora, a utility infielder, who began to sing: “John Maine is ready to go! He’s making his next start!” (NY Times)
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