Mike Pelfrey happy with stuff despite allowing five runs
New York Mets starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey throws against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning. (March 24, 2012) Credit: AP
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Mike Pelfrey keeps getting hit hard in spring training and keeps saying he's pleased -- not with the results, but with how he's progressing.
Less than two weeks before Opening Day, Pelfrey allowed five runs (four earned) in six innings Saturday in the Mets' 6-6, 10-inning tie with the Cardinals at Digital Domain Park. Pelfrey gave up four runs in the third inning after third baseman Justin Turner's throwing error and another run in the fifth against a St. Louis lineup that did not include Carlos Beltran, Matt Holliday and David Freese.
But at least Pelfrey was better than in his last outing, when he gave up eight runs to Houston in 22/3 innings and then said, "I actually thought the ball came out of my hand the best it has all spring."
Saturday, Pelfrey lowered his spring ERA from 14.90 to 11.49. He used a new windup in which he brought his hands above his head rather than keeping them at his waist, something he had first tried in a bullpen session this past week.
"It was easier to get on top of the sinker by doing that," he said. "I thought it was great the other day in the pen, and it's something that we'll keep working on."
Manager Terry Collins, who has Pelfrey slotted in as the fourth starter -- he pitched the season opener in 2011 -- said, "I think he moved forward a long way."
Said Collins: "I thought he was much, much better. I thought his ball had great life to it. Obviously, when it's up, it doesn't have the sink . . . That's where he made a couple mistakes, up in the strike zone, but otherwise he threw great."
Pelfrey mowed down the Cardinals in the first two innings, retiring the first six batters with one strikeout. The Mets led 3-0 thanks to Ike Davis' first-inning home run before St. Louis scored four in the third.
Turner, subbing for the injured David Wright, threw away a routine grounder to open the inning. Daniel Descalso hit a two-run double off the rightfield wall, and after a hit batter, Pelfrey allowed a two-run single to John Jay.
In the fifth, Jay and Yadier Molina hit back-to-back doubles for another run. Pelfrey gave up eight hits and struck out two.
"One bad inning," Pelfrey said. "Like I said, I took a lot of positives today."
