When the league decided to place baseballs inside a humidor prior to the start of each game at Coors Field, the hit parade night after night was thought to have ceased. Skeptics were blaming the thin air as the catalyst for bloated offensive numbers more so than the talent level on the field. However, what many failed to mention was that bad pitching could also be the cause for a high output of hits and runs. Last night’s performance by John Maine concluded that notion and exposed the fact that poor pitching can definitely lead to productive hitting.
Entering this season, how the Mets starters, two-through-five, would fair behind their ace, Johan Santana, was considered the ballclub’s biggest question mark. Maine’s second start last night against the Rockies which lasted all of three innings did nothing to quell those doubts.
Unable to prove consistent in his delivery, Maine lost the power to control and locate his fastball. After the game, the right-hander confirmed no pain in his shoulder and looked somewhat shocked by the results, eight runs, seven hits, three walks in just three innings.
I understand that two starts is not a viable barometer in gauging a pitcher’s overall performance but you have to wonder if Maine has the mental makeup to weather the storm and more importantly, will he ever regain his velocity.
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