K-Rod pitches through pain
Rodriguez #75 of the New York Mets delivers a ninth inning pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates. (June 2, 2011) Credit: Getty Images
The pain was excruciating and the absence of medication made it even more unbearable.
But a day after undergoing oral surgery, Francisco Rodriguez was back on the mound in the ninth inning Thursday, laboring through his 16th save of the season in the Mets' 9-8 win over the Pirates.
"I'm just going through really, really tough pain," said the closer, who rebounded after giving up a leadoff triple and a two-out RBI single. "I was just battling."
Rodriguez went to the hospital after feeling pain Sunday but could not see a dentist the next day because of Memorial Day. He had two teeth removed Wednesday morning. Though he told Terry Collins he could pitch that night, he never got the chance to come out of the bullpen in a 9-3 loss to the Pirates.
Rodriguez said he did not take any painkillers before Thursday's game and instead used ice to dull the pain. "If I do,'' he said of using painkillers, "there is no way I can throw a ball."
He expects to have to deal with the pain, his swollen right cheek and the stitches in his mouth for a few more days.
Reyes returns
Jose Reyes (1-for-4) had his six-game multihit streak snapped, but his mere presence on the field was enough of a boost.
"He's a guy who gets us going," Carlos Beltran said of the shortstop, who was reinstated from the bereavement list after missing three games because of the death of his paternal grandmother. "Every time he gets on base, we feel as a team that something is about to happen."
Reyes said thoughts of his grandmother occasionally popped into his head during the game, "but it went away quick."
Extra bases
David Wright will have his lower back X-rayed Friday . . . Justin Turner was named the National League's Rookie of the Month after batting .325 with 20 RBIs . . . Lefthander Mike O'Connor was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo after the game. A corresponding move will be made before Friday night's game against Atlanta. Righthander Manny Acosta likely will be called up . . . Several players joined 50 members of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines for a softball tournament at Citi Field after the game.
