The Mets are currently riding a three-game winning streak which, unfortunately, is improbable. Even more unlikely was the term “winning pitcher” and the name “Rafael Montero” being in the same sentence, but nevertheless, here I go:
Rafael Montero was the winning pitcher in yesterday’s game against the Giants, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing one earned run on five hits and two walks, striking out seven.
Montero, who hadn’t won a Major League game since 2014, has been very effective since returning from Triple-A Las Vegas with a tightened slider. Before his start, he had pitched in relief twice, pitching 6.2 innings allowing only one earned run (1.35 ERA) on three hits and two walks, striking out eight.
“I feel just a lot more confidence in my pitching,” Montero said. “I think I threw well out there today.”
His confidence shows, as in 12.1 innings since his return from the minors he has allowed two runs, eight hits, four walks, and struck out 15. That’s good for a 1.46 ERA, a 1.028 WHIP, 11.25 K/9, and 3.75 K/BB. Most importantly, however was the timing of today’s performance.
The Mets had been struggling mightily before they got to San Fransisco, having lost a lot of their confidence as well as a player or two to injury along the way. Winning the first two games of the series was crucial, but perhaps more meaningful was the previously struggling Montero stepping up and giving the Mets a chance to win.
“You’ve got to get some confidence back and it all starts from the way we pitched,” manager Terry Collins said. “They kept us in the game, allowed us to build leads and we didn’t give up much.”
Josh Edgin, Paul Sewald, Jerry Blevins, Fernando Salas, and Chase Bradford all pitched after Montero to secure the win. Before you groan at Terry and complain about why he used so many pitchers in an 8-2 win, know the Mets will have a day off Monday as they travel to Miami to face off against the Marlins.
