Since being labeled by many as the future — or perhaps current — ace of the Mets’ rotation, not much has come easy for Mike Pelfrey.
After a no-decision in San Diego in which he was dominant over nine innings, Pelfrey had to battle through two consecutive starts going into last night’s game against the Twins.
And things didn’t change against Minnesota, as Pelfrey fought through six innings, holding the Twins to two runs, but throwing 117 pitches in the process, as the Mets won, 5-2.
Still, the big right-hander will no doubt take the result, as the win improved his record to 10-2 on the season.
The victory symbolized how the Mets have played for much of this season, continuing their dominance at home and getting production from unexpected sources — and renewed ones.
“I think we’re playing as good as anyone,” Pelfrey said.
That was true last night, as Pelfrey rebounded from giving up a leadoff homer to Denard Span to settle down and surrender only one more run. And the Mets offense gave him more than enough support.
That began in the fourth, when — after Minne sota starter Kevin Slowey had retired the first nine hitters he faced — Jose Reyes led off with a single to left, sparking a three-run rally.
David Wright contin ued his torrid RBI pace by doubling in Reyes then scored when Ike Davis followed with a single to center and Span overthrew home and no one covered the plate. He added an opposite-field homer in the sixth.
“He seems very comfortable at the plate,” Manuel said. “That’s a good sign for us.”
As for Pelfrey, he hadn’t lost in eight consecutive starts until falling to the Yankees his last time out, but that was his second straight shaky performance. He gave up six hits, and no walks, last night, but Minnesota fouled off pitches and made him work.
Pelfrey pitched to catcher Josh Thole, who was called up from Triple-A because of Rod Barajas’ aching back, but that didn’t stop the Mets from beating another good team.
“A lot was made of this stretch of nine games against first-place teams,” Jason Bay said of the Yankees, Tigers and Twins. “Let’s not forget we’re one of them, or right up there, too.”
Because the Braves won last night, the Mets still trail by a half-game in the NL East, but they’re right to be confident.
Wright added two more RBIs and has 25 in his last 21 games, and 20-year-old Ruben Tejada continues to impress at second base and at the plate.
The rookie hit a booming double off the wall in left-center to start the fifth. After being sacrificed to third on a bunt by Pelfrey, Tejada somehow avoided Joe Mauer’s tag with a headfirst slide on Reyes’ sac fly to left.
“We’ve always felt good about him as a defensive player, especially at shortstop,” Manuel said. “I’ve been surprised and impressed at how he’s adapted to second base. And now he’s starting to hit.”
Tejada now has a nine-game hitting streak and has made it easy for the Mets to let Luis Castillo continue to rest his bruised feet in Port St. Lucie instead of rushing him back or forcing a trade.
Pelfrey and the Mets’ bullpen took care of the rest, with Francisco Rodriguez pitching a scoreless — though rocky — ninth for the save.
And Pelfrey continued to show why he is thought of so highly.