Shaun Marcum didn’t exactly light up the radar guns in his first start back in Saturday’s 9-4 loss to the Phillies. He struggled with his command and quite frankly, judging I’d say he was lucky the Phillies only tagged him for three runs and not more in his four innings of work.
I don’t believe anyone expected him to show up and deliver an “A” game, but with a fastball that ranged around 80-84 mph I think he’s in for some rough times ahead. His control was very spotty and hopefully he can step it up in his next start.
After the game, Marcum expressed disappointment with his performance.
“It’s not what I wanted from a statistical standpoint or helping this team,” Marcum told reporters.
“I wasn’t very efficient with my pitches there in the second and third inning. My pitch count rose pretty quickly in those two innings. As far as health, everything felt pretty good.”
Marcum’s final line was three earned runs on five hits, two walks, a wild pitch, and three strikeouts. The veteran right-hander was activated from the DL before the game after dealing with some biceps tendinitis as well as neck and shoulder pain during spring training.
Even though he was pulled after 71 pitches, Marcum said that he felt he had a lot more left in the tank.
During the FOX broadcast, Kevin Burkhardt said that it was catcher and former teammate John Buck who convinced Marcum to sign with the Mets. Both played together for the Toronto Blue Jays. Buck, who hit his eighth home run of the season in the game, said he saw shades of “vintage” Marcum.
Marcum, 31, has a 3.79 ERA in 150 career starts with a 1.24 WHIP. I think most Mets fans would sign up for numbers like that if Marcum can find his way back to that level of play.
