Extra rest doesn't help Gee
New York Mets' Dillon Gee sits in the dugout after leaving the game against the Atlanta Braves at the end of the fifth inning at Citi Field in New York. (Aug. 7, 2011) Credit: John Dunn
Dillon Gee said he had no idea why Terry Collins chose to shuffle the rotation after Wednesday's rainout and give him two extra days of rest before facing the Braves. Based on what happened Sunday, the manager might have been better off skipping Gee completely.
The Braves pummeled Gee for five runs in five innings -- including three homers -- as the Mets stumbled to a 6-5 loss at Citi Field. Jason Heyward led off the second inning with a drive into the rightfield bullpen. In the fifth, Alex Gonzalez and Jose Constanza drilled back-to-back shots on consecutive pitches to give Atlanta a 5-2 lead.
Gee had never allowed more than one homer in a game and had surrendered only 10 in 25 starts entering the game. He matched another career high by hitting two batters.
"I just can't get a feel out there," said Gee, whose ERA climbed to 3.93. "I'm just trying to throw a strike, let alone hitting spots. I've had a few like that lately. I don't know if mentally I'm just not trusting myself."
Collins and pitching coach Dan Warthen are worried about fatigue, which is why the manager said last week that he planned to give some of his starters a breather at some point.
Gee said after the loss that he felt fine physically. But he is coming off 1941/3 innings from last season and is up to 124 this year -- plus he's been pitching with a partially torn labrum since 2009.
Extra basesZach Wheeler, acquired from San Francisco in the trade of Carlos Beltran, threw six shutout innings last night for the Class-A St. Lucie Mets. Wheeler struck out 7 and walked none, allowing four hits as St. Lucie defeated Charlotte 5-2 . . . Jason Bay reached safely in all five plate appearances and is batting .457 (16-for-35) during his current nine-game hitting streak.
