Thursday, June 12, 2008By Mike Steffanos
Game 64: Mets 5 - Diamondbacks 3 (13)
On April 15, Mike Pelfrey picked up his second win of the season vs. the Nationals. Almost two months later, he's still waiting for his third. Now, he certainly hasn't been perfect, but here are four starts since then that should have netted him a win:
- 5/10 CIN 6 IP, 2 ER, 8 H, 3 K, 1 BB
- 5/15 WAS 7.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 4 K, 3 BB
- 5/31 LAD 7 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 6 K, 1 BB
- 6/5 @SDP 6 IP, 1 ER, 8 H, 1 K, 3 BB
Not only did Pelfrey fail to pick up a win in any of those games, but he actually took the loss against the Reds and the Nats. It's tough for a young guy to learn to pitch aggressively when his team can't score runs for him.
Last night Mike was even better, but Billy Wagner's failure to hold a 3-run lead in the ninth doomed him to another no decision.
Still, it's fairly obvious that the 2005 first round pick -- while still a work in progress -- is actually making progress. Although he still has some way to go on the off-speed stuff, pitching aggressively on a regular basis would give Pelfrey a chance to win and develop at the major league level. It's reminiscent of Maine in 2005, whose aggressiveness with the heater offset the relative ineffectiveness of his other pitches.
Not much else to say. I'll give them credit for pulling this one out. The bullpen gave them a chance, and Beltran was able to finally win the thing. You take an win as they come right now.
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Comments (5)
I am not going to have another heart attack like last year, and so. I am packing it in and looking forward to spring training 2009 with new faces and new manager and coaches and new stadium. You know I am not a new kid on the block with this team, been with them from the beginning, but I can't watch them anymore. I have to go and cut out paper dolls or something. This is the worst I have ever seen them.I have to be carfull, this year we converted our stove from electric to gas and now I have to keep my head away from putting it into the oven.:> ) trying to make us smile.
Posted by Rev Al | June 13, 2008 7:13 AM
I think a lot of us fans are taking a step back for sanity's sake, Rel Al.
Geez; we have Reyes, Wright, Maine; Mike Pelfrey is putting it together. We have a topnotch centerfielder, a genuine staff ace. How hard is it to take all that and surround it with a team?
Tell you: if Earl Weaver was still active, he could have gone to spring training with these guys and finished the job of building a contender from available talent.
Another guy who would have done it: Davey Johnson. Valentine? Probably so.
What a way to lead into a new stadium.
Posted by dd | June 13, 2008 7:44 AM
Another loss to the D-Backs, sad thing Mets led in all 3 games. Your ace comes in today, provides 7 shutout innings, and your bullpen gives it away, for the third day in a row! Good thing I've got my Bass fishing tournaments starting next Wednesday. I look forward to that, so it will take me away from watching Mets baseball for most of the summer. I don't blame you Rev, we need you in tip top shape for the real season, next year. Hello Citifield!!!!!!!! 2009
Posted by L.J.Phipps | June 13, 2008 7:56 AM
to my fellow posters, it's the BULLPEN plain and simple that killed us the last 17 games of the year last year and it's totally blown up the season this year.i give willie a mulligan on this one.100 per cent of the blame falls on minaya for bringing all these stiffs back,petersen for "coaching" these stiffs and the wilpons who sat back the whole offseason and let omar add "rick wise" to the pen.time for football training camps and looking ahead to citifield next year.hopefully management will not stand pat next year with a losing hand ...
Posted by gary s. | June 13, 2008 11:33 AM
Al - I understand your feelings, having had them myself. Try not to look at the oven.
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dd - Agreed. They should at least be contending.
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LJ - If you catch a nice young OF, don't throw him back. Send him to us.
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Gary - It's the hitters, too. It's been the starters at times, too. It's a team effort.
Posted by Mike Steffanos | June 13, 2008 3:59 PM