On a day that saw one prospect sent packing, another one lived another day. Jacob deGrom started his fourth career major league game on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies. Learning the news that his teammate Rafael Montero was heading back to Las Vegas before the first pitch, deGrom went out and pitched as if his days in the majors depended on it.
DeGrom was overpowering hitters in the early going, not allowing a hit until the fourth inning. Chase Utley broke up the no-no with a two-out single. Up to that point deGrom had set down every batter he faced in order striking out six through the first 3.2 innings.
Things would change a bit in the bottom of the fifth, when deGrom appeared to have possibly injured himself after a pitch. The cavalry came out to check on him and deemed him good enough to continue and a collective sigh was heard throughout New York.
In the seventh inning, with a one-hitter still in hand, a weary deGrom got himself into trouble which ultimately led to his exit. A lead-off single by Jimmy Rollins and a walk to Chase Utley, allowed Ryan Howard to do what Ryan Howard so often does. With the Mets up 4-0, Howard took the deGrom offering and sent it into the stands to pull the Phillies within one. DeGrom was allowed one more batter after that which brought him to 101 pitches and into the clubhouse.
Still, this was another solid effort by deGrom and perhaps a sign of even better things to come for the young righty. He now has a 2.42 ERA and 1.077 WHIP through his first four starts all averaging more than six innings..
Jacob deGrom’s final line for Saturday: 6.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 11 K
His next scheduled start is on Thursday, June 5th against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
