After a demoralizing loss to the Yankees on Sunday, Jon Niese responded with a strong performance last night in the Mets’ 4-0 victory over the Braves.
He pitched six scoreless innings while striking out two to earn his ninth win of the season. What really stood out was how effectively he used his curve to induce ground ball outs after ground ball outs.
“This was a game we needed to have,” Collins said, “and Jon gave it to us.” (Mark Herrmann, Newsday)
It was great to see Niese come through with an excellent start, especially after so many in the media were starting to overact and panic following the Subway Series.
Of that Sunday loss, Niese said: “I really don’t think about that stuff while I’m out there. I just want to go out there and execute and give the team a chance to win.”
“It’s an important game, it’s important to get the win,” Niese said. “Every game, we’re trying to win.”
Niese has now pitched back to back quality starts since his implosion against the Nationals on September 1st. He has a 1.50 ERA in this span, but has he done enough to make the postseason rotation?
While his last two starts have been great, he’s taken advantage of an awful Braves lineup that ranks last in the league in runs scored. His 4.16 ERA this season has also been outperformed by all of the other Mets’ starters, so I think he will have a hard time earning a spot in the Mets’ playoff rotation, but time will tell.
