Still, the performances of Niese and Marcum could be the difference between the Mets finishing with a respectable record or an atrocious one.  There are some fans who would rather see the Mets tank the season completely in order to set themselves up for a higher draft pick in 2014 (I sometimes find myself hoping this will happen in non-competitive years).  However, if the goal is to be competitive in 2014 – and if the payroll is partially dependent on this year’s attendance – it would behoove the Mets to wake up and compete.

May 16, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Jonathon Niese (49) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

This time last week, both Jonathon Niese and Shaun Marcum were being lumped in with Dillon Gee and Jeremy Hefner as major question marks.  Since then, Gee has done nothing to erase the doubts that are surrounding him, and Hefner has continued to bend but not break during his starts.  Niese and Marcum are a different story.

I was never all that concerned with Niese.  Prior to him getting back on track yesterday by tossing 7 1/3 innings of two run ball, he had been shelled twice in a row.  The first beating, though, came with Niese pitching through pain in his upper back/neck.  The second drubbing was (according to Niese) the result of him having altered his delivery to be able to pitch through that pain.  When you go back further, you’ll realize that although Niese’s peripherals weren’t great, his ERA heading into those two disastrous starts was 3.31.  Moreover, Niese had pitched two games in frigid conditions (in Minnesota and Colorado).

It was stunning to see people so quick to write Niese off, as if a handful of starts in April and early May were enough evidence to erase the strides he’d made over the last few seasons.  I thought it was simply a matter of time before Niese turned it around.  Marcum was a different story.

After signing an incentive laden one year deal with the Mets this winter, Marcum landed on the disabled list at the beginning of the year with a laundry list of maladies.  When he made his regular season debut and failed to get out of the fourth inning, most figured it was rust.  He then followed that rough start up with these lines: 4 1/3 innings pitched, three runs.  4 2/3 innings pitched, six runs.  Coming into his start a few nights ago, Marcum was sporting an unsightly 8.59 ERA.  Worse than the ERA, was the fact that he had become the first pitcher in the history of the Mets who failed to get out of the fifth inning in each of his first three starts.  It was fair to assume that Marcum would be the pitcher who’d get replaced when Zack Wheeler was summoned from AAA.  That was before his last start.

Before that game, Marcum noted that he felt the best he had all year.  During it, he backed that claim up.  He went 6 2/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits.  Aside from the results, his secondaries were sharp – especially his curve.  It was a stark difference from the slop he’d been throwing previously.  It’s too early to state with certainty that Marcum has turned the corner, but his last start was a huge step in the right direction.

During his interview earlier this week on WFAN, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson alluded to the fact that the Mets had only one reliable starting pitcher (Matt Harvey).  A few short days later, it appears that the team just might have three reliable starters (with a potential fourth waiting in the wings in AAA in the person of Zack Wheeler).

Again, the rotation rounding into shape won’t turn this team into contenders.  It won’t have any effect on Ike Davis‘ failure to make contact.  It won’t make the arms in the bullpen better, but it will help to prevent further overuse.

If Jonathon Niese and Shaun Marcum had kept going down the road they were on, this season could’ve turned into a complete fiasco.  Now that they’ve both seemingly righted themselves, the team finds itself on firmer ground.  If they can both continue to build off their recent starts, the Mets should be able to begin to climb out of the hole they’ve dug for themselves.  Perhaps not far enough to make the late summer interesting, but hopefully enough to keep the team respectable heading into a season when they hope to turn the corner.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to Like Rising Apple’s Facebook page and follow@RisingAppleBlog on Twitter to keep up with the latest news, rumors, and opinion.

Marcum came out strong in the bottom of the frame. He didn’t get any strikeouts, but needed only eight pitches to retire the Cardinals in order. The second inning was much the same, with a ground out, strikeout, and fly out on 10 more pitches.

The top of the second featured vintage Mets (by which, of course, I mean a series of baffling plays). Lucas Duda lined what would’ve been a base hit up the middle, but it deflected off Miller’s leg who threw him out at first. John Buck then worked a 12 pitch walk, and Rick Ankiel hit a fly ball that somehow fell in for a hit. Ruben Tejada, back in the lineup after a day off, hit a line drive to right center that was played well by John Jay. Buck fell trying to return to second and was doubled off easily to end the threat.

May 15, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Shaun Marcum (38) throws to a St. Louis Cardinals batter during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Marcum led off the third inning by lining a single to left center (in an 7-pitch at bat) to collect his first hit as a Met. The Mets got nothing else, as Mike Baxter and Daniel Murphy both flew out prior to David Wright striking out on three pitches.

Daniel Descalso led off the third with the Cardinals’ first hit of the day. Marcum needed 23 pitches to get through the inning, but didn’t allow anything to come of it. Miller would hit John Buck with a pitch in the top of the fourth, but would get out of the inning unscathed when John Buck tried to steal second.

The Cardinals finally broke through in the bottom of the fourth, scoring a run on a John Jay double. David Wright dropped a tag on Jay between second and third to prolong the inning, and Tony Cruz made him pay by singling in the second (unearned) run.

The Mets squandered a chance in the sixth. Daniel Murphy doubled and stole base, but David Wright struck out and Ike Davis grounded to second against reliever Randy Choate.

After Lucas Duda grounded out to start the sixth, Mike Matheny brought in Seth Maness, who allowed a hit to John Buck and Rick Ankiel followed it up with a home run to just-left-of-center field.

With the score tied, Marcum was allowed to hit for himself (he singled) and continue to pitch. He retired the first two batters of the inning before walking Daniel Descalso and giving up a hit to Pete Kozma. Scott Rice came in and uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Daniel Descalso to score the tie-breaking run. That at bat ended in an intentional walk to Ty Wigginton and Matt Carpenter then grounded to first to end the inning.

Marcum’s final line: 6.2IP, 5H, 1BB, 3R (2 earned), 3K. His ERA dropped from 8.59 to 6.75 on the day.

LaTroy Hawkins would allow another run in the eighth. The Mets would’ve been out of the inning had Daniel Murphy not airmailed a double-play throw. That said, Hawkins pitched poorly, allowing a hit and two walks in the frame.

Edward Mujica pitched a perfect ninth to save it for the Cardinals.

Notes:

May 15, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; New York Mets center fielder Rick Ankiel (16) is congratulated by third base coach Tim Teufel (18) after hitting a game tying two run home run off of St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Seth Maness (not pictured) during the seventh inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

• Shaun Marcum looked much better tonight. He was crisp and efficient on the mound, mixing his pitches well and keeping them off the middle of the plate. John Jay’s RBI double was the only well-struck ball Marcum allowed in his 6.2 innings of work. If he can do more of what he did tonight, it will go far toward restoring credibility to the Mets’ rotation.
• Lucas Duda has been terribly unlucky of late. Since he hit first base against the Pirates on Saturday, it seems like every ball he puts in play is hit solidly…right at someone.
• Rick Ankiel collected his first two hits as a Met – a mysterious blooper that eventually fell for a hit in center field, and a game-tying two run homer in the seventh.
• Scott Rice has struggled of late. He’s surrendered 4 ER in his last 2.1 innings (not including the inherited runner he allowed to score tonight). With both Josh Edgin and Robert Carson struggling badly, Rice has been badly overworked. Unfortunately, the Mets won’t have another day off until next Thursday, so he may not get much time off until then.
• John Buck reached base three times today, via a walk, hit-by-pitch, and a single to left field.

Thoughts:

The Mets badly needed a good game out of Shaun Marcum, who had yet to give one. He certainly obliged though. He only had one hard-hit ball (the double by Jay) and didn’t walk a batter until the seventh inning. Scott Rice allowed an inherited runner to score on a wild pitch.

This is a game the Mets gave away. David Wright and Scott Rice each handed the Cardinals a run (on a dropped tag and wild pitch, respectively). Daniel Murphy’s eighth inning error also proved costly, allowing an insurance run to score. Shaun Marcum deserved better, but when things are going wrong they find new ways to go wrong.

The Mets will try to avoid the sweep tomorrow afternoon, as Jonathon Niese pitches against Adam Wainwright. First pitch is scheduled for 1:45PM.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to Like Rising Apple’s Facebook page and follow @RisingAppleBlog on Twitter to keep up with the latest news, rumors, and opinion.

May 10, 2013; Flushing, NY,USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Shaun Marcum (38) heads to the dugout after being relieved during the fifth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Catcher Anthony Recker joined Marcum to form Friday’s battery.  With a day game scheduled for Saturday, John Buck was given a well deserved night off.  Daniel Murphy was also given the game off, as he continues to struggle mightily at the plate.  Two weeks ago, Murphy was batting .357, but has since suffered a precipitous fall to his current .266 level.  Justin Turner started at second base in Murph’s place and batted second behind Ruben Tejada.  Ike Davis returned to the line-up after Coach Terry kept him idle (pinch hit) on Thursday, but was inserted into the sixth spot of the order behind Lucas Duda and Marlon Byrd.

Upon the order to Play Ball! -  Marcum’s first offering to left fielder Starling Marte was a strike.  Two pitches later, Marte headed back towards the visiting dugout after looking at an inside fastball for strike three.  Marcum then struck out Jordy Mercer, and retired Andrew McCutchen on a fly to center.  Seven of Shaun Marcum’s opening eight pitches went for strikes.

Things went very differently for Marcum in the second inning.  Juan Lagares made a diving attempt at Garrett Jones‘ deep fly to center which landed safely for a lead-off double.  Jose Tabata followed with a single, but Jones was given the sign to hold up at third.  Pedro Alvarez then singled to drive in the game’s first run, while the Mets helped themselves on the play when Marlon Byrd cut down Tabata attempting third.  Next up, catcher Michael McKenry hit a ground rule double to put runners on second and third with one out.  Shaun Marcum then hit shortstop John McDonald with a pitch to load the bases.  Pirates starter Wandy Rodriguez was next, and grounded to Tejada at short, but when Ruben double-clutched, Wandy reached safely, as Alvarez scored from third with Pittsburgh’s second run.  Back to the top of the order again, Starling Marte punched a seeing-eye base hit passed a diving Tejada, which scored McKenry to give the Bucs a 3-0 lead.  Jordy Mercer kept things going with another single to load the bases yet again.  However, Andrew McCutchen, who ended the first inning, finally ended the second inning on a fly to Lucas Duda in left.  Shaun Marcum wound up throwing thirty pitches in the inning.  By all indications, the Mets bullpen was certain to receive an early call.

In the top of the third, Shaun Marcum recovered to set down the Bucs in order on two fly balls and a grounder to Turner.  After three full innings, Wandy Rodriguez had the Mets limited to back to back singles by Ike Davis and Anthony Recker in the second.

Remarkably, Shaun Marcum retired the side in order in three of his first four innings worked.  However, the fifth inning ushered in a new round of troubles.  Leading off, Starling Marte became the second batter struck by a Marcum pitch.  With the hit-and-run play on, second baseman Jordy Mercer slapped a single between the first and second base hole.  With runners on first and third, Andrew McCutchen made out a third time in the game by popping up to Turner.  Garrett Jones then stepped in against Marcum, and grooved a liner off the right field wall, which required a video  review.  The ball appeared to hit the black portion of the wall, slightly above the orange line of demarcation, and just beyond the reach of an outstretched Marlon Byrd, but bounced back into play causing doubt.  When the umpiring crew returned with a decision, Garrett Jones‘ fifth home run of the season was confirmed – a three run shot.  The Mets now trailed by a 6-0 margin.  After recording an out and allowing another single to Pedro Alvarez, Terry Collins decided Shaun Marcum’s night was through.  Coach made the slow trek to the mound and summoned Robert Carson for relief.  Andrew Brown was double-switched into right field replacing Marlon Byrd.

With Wandy Rodriguez still pitching in the home fifth, Anthony Recker ruined the shutout with his first home run as a Met, hit just inside the left field foul pole.  Juan Lagares promptly followed by hooking his first major league double to left, but was stranded as Wandy Rodriguez retired the next three batters in order.

Robert Carson completed 1.1 innings of scoreless relief, allowing a lone single to Starling Marte.  Scott Atchison assumed pitching duties in the seventh.  With one out, Garrett Jones laced his third extra base hit of the evening – a double to left.  Otherwise, no harm done.  Atchison pitched two innings, allowed one hit, and struck out two.

Into the ninth inning they went.  Scott Rice took over, and immediately pitched himself into a jam.  With no outs, a walk, single, wild pitch, and another walk loaded the bases.  Andrew McCutchen continued his personal plight at the plate by bouncing into a 6-4-3 double-play.  However, lead runner Gaby Sanchez scored on the play, and extended the Pirates lead by a 7-1 margin.

In the bottom of the frame, Jordany Valdespin was not going to be denied last licks.  Pinch-hitting for Atchison’s spot in the order, the Mets mercurial youth launched a Jose Contreras offering deep, and way back into the Pepsi Porch seats.  The Mets continued a rally that chased Contreas after just six batters.  Andrew Brown delivered Ike Davis who previously singled.  The final out however, came on a liner to center fielder Andrew McCutchen off the bat of Ruben Tejada.

The Pirates defeated the Mets in a 7-3 final to gain a split of their four game set.  Wandy Rodriguez pitched six innings to earn his third win of the season.  He allowed one earned run on six scattered hits.  He didn’t walk a batter and struck out two.

Game three is scheduled for Saturday afternoon.  Jonathon Niese will take the mound against Pittsburgh’s Francisco Liriano.

HIGHLIGHTS

*  With a 2 for 4 night, David Wright (.306) upped his average back over the .300 mark.  He was removed late in the game, hopefully as a precaution, after earlier fouling a ball off the inside of his left thigh.

*  Jordany Valdespin hit his third home run of the season, which amazingly is his one-millionth as a pinch hitter.

*  Ike Davis was 2 for 4.  He has no where to go but up.

LOWLIGHTS

*  Pittsburgh punished Marcum by remaining disciplined against his slider, causing him to throw his fast ball more.  In 4.2 innings this evening, he surrendered six earned runs on nine hits.  He did not walk a batter, and struck out two.  He threw eighty-one pitches for the second consecutive start, and watched his ERA grow to an 8.59 mark.  He made one relief appearance this season, otherwise, Marcum has failed to complete five innings pitched in any of his three starts.  In his first start of the season on April 27th, he lasted four innings and surrendered three earned runs.  His next start came on May 3rd, in which he lasted 4.1 innings, and surrendered an additional three earned runs.  Then of course there was today’s 4.2 inning, six earned runs effort.  During the post-game media session, Terry Collins shared his fear that Shaun Marcum might have broken his hand (or thumb) when struck by a come-backer in the second inning.  Marcum continued pitching seemingly with no lingering effects.  Marcum admitted after the game his left hand felt sore, but okay.  X-rays taken were negative.  He went on to blame his poor outing on failure to locate pitches.

*  The Mets were an astonishing 1 for 12 with runners in scoring position.

*  Daniel Murphy grounded out to second base pinch hitting for Robert  Carson.

*  Can’t be happy with Scott Rice‘s performance this evening.

*  Jordany Valdespin pimping out his home run……, C’mon man!

Thanks for reading! Be sure to Like Rising Apple’s Facebook page and follow @RisingAppleBlog on Twitter to keep up with the latest news, rumors, and opinion.