Gee walks tall in Thole's spikes
New York Mets' Josh Thole, left, beats the tag of Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann to score on an Ike Davis single in the first inning. (April 17, 2011) Credit: AP
ATLANTA -- Dillon Gee definitely appreciated Josh Thole's two RBIs in the Mets' 3-2 win over the Braves Sunday. Just as important, however, were Thole's size 12 spikes. Gee would have preferred 11½, but after his luggage went AWOL somewhere between Providence and Atlanta, he couldn't afford to be picky.
Gee also had to ask around for a glove, which was supplied by Bobby Parnell, and borrowed a suit -- for the plane ride back to New York -- from Mike Nickeas. He didn't get much sleep, either, after arriving at the team hotel at about 1 a.m. But Gee appeared unfazed in holding Atlanta to one run in 52/3 innings.
"I have my routines," Gee said, "but that kind of got messed up. So you just got to roll with it and do the best you can with what you've been given."
Gee, once again, is making the most of his opportunity. He was 2-2 last season for the Mets, and his 2.18 ERA during that stretch was the second-best in the majors among pitchers who made at least five starts. This year, Gee was 1-1 with a 4.63 ERA for Triple-A Buffalo, but he'll be staying for as long as Chris Young remains on the disabled list with biceps tendinitis.
Young is eligible to come off the DL on April 26, so Gee will get at least one more start.
"He's going to wear [my spikes] next time," Thole said. "He'll have them on."
Bay ready to return?
in New York, and it appears that he could return to the lineup in Tuesday's series opener against the Astros at Citi Field. Bay, who has been on the DL since March 31 with a left rib-cage strain, went 0-for-3 in seven innings Sunday for Class A St. Lucie. If he's not ready, Bay will head to Triple-A Buffalo to continue his rehab assignment. But Flushing seems like a more logical destination.
