Mets pitcher, Jon Niese lasted just a third of an inning before leaving the game due to injury. He was replaced by rookie, Robert Gsellman, who helped navigate his team to victory in his major league debut.
Niese, 29, left Tuesday’s 7-4 victory over St. Louis after feeling a pop in his left knee. In his short time in the game he allowed three runs on one hit while walking two. He is reportedly heading to the disabled list due to the injury, it is believed the team will call up Erik Goeddel in his place. Niese spoke of his injury after Tuesday’s win.
“It progressively got worse and worse. I think that curveball I threw to Moss was the one where I felt a little pop in there. Every pitch there was just a sharp, shooting pain down my leg. I’ve got to get it fixed.”
“I can’t keep going out there. There’s a lot of pain. It’s altering my mechanics. I’m not able to stay behind each pitch. I’m not able to locate. I’m just really not helping myself out, or the team, when I can’t compete out there when I’m hurt.” (ESPN)
Gsellman would enter the game for the Mets lefty, pitching in his first major league game and for the first time out of the bullpen. He would go on to pitch 3.2 innings for the team, picking up his first major league win. He reportedly was advised earlier in the day that Niese may be making an early exit and to be ready to come in at any time.
“It was my first time ever coming out of the bullpen, so it felt kind of awkward,” Gsellman said. “You still have to take the mound the same way as when you’re starting. … They told me to be ready when I got here. I just had to take a couple of deep breaths and realize where I was.”
The rookie entered into a mess in the first with two runners on base with just one out. He allowed both inherited runners to score but quickly settled down afterwards. Gsellman allowed two hits on the night while walking three and striking out two.
The win moved the Mets back within 3.5 games of the second Wild-Card spot in which the Cardinals occupy. The team has now won three games in a row and seem to be clicking at the right time as they are in the midst of an all important series to keep their playoff hopes alive.
