Not being willing&able to throw strikes and manage the count is why Pelfrey is no late-inning reliever… or any kind of major-leaguer right now. He’s far too passive to make it as a late-inning guy.

as for him starting the year in aaa…it is definitely for the best.

he needs to go down there and be told to worry more about improving his approach and his secondary pitches, and less about results (an impossibility if he was the 5th starter).

it would also probably be for the best if he didn’t even see the big leagues before the all-star break, that is probably unlikely as he’s most likely going to be needed when injuries arise.

to that end, i’m sure the mets will still hold off on making the final call on duque and the 5th starter until they see what effect, if any, returning to the high leg kick has on him come tomorrow.

though today’s results are certainly promising for el duque (who cares what the radar gun reads…if he can get on the mound every 5th day and give you 5-6 innings and give up no more than 3-4 runs).

at some point, the Mets will need Pelfrey this year. I hope he can get his work in and figure it out in NO.

He couldnt do it the other day under similar cercumstances, and today he cant get the last out. That sould end and discussion about making him a late inning reliever.

First pitch swinging, base hit into right. 1 on.

Jay Gibbons is Pinch Hitting. Takes strike one called. The 0-1 is fouled away, 0-2. The 0-2 pitch is up and away for a ball, 1-2. Now Gibbons swings and misses at the breaking ball. 1 away.

Pelfrey delivers inside ball 1. The 1-0 is low ball 2. The 2-0 pitch is a broken bat pop up to third, the shortstop makes the catch, 2 away. Who is number 94? Whoever he is is playing Shortstop.

Scott fouls the first pitch off, 0-1. The 0-1 is outside for a ball. The 1-1 pitch fouled off, 1-2. Scott checks his swing on a breaking ball in the dirt, 2-2 to Scott. Casanova goes out to talk to Pelfrey and calm him down. Now the 2-2 pitch is in the dirt, full count. the 3-2 pitch is flied out to right center, Chavez can’t get it, a run scores on a two-out rbi doubt for Scott. 3-2 Mets.

Jay Payton comes up with a chance to tie it. Fastball down the middle, 0-1. The 0-1 is lined into left for a base-hit, tie game. 3-3

Luis Hernandez comes up and takes strike 1. The 0-1 pitch is a ball up and away, 1-1. The 1-1 is a fastball inside, 2-1. Now a throw to first, Payton is back standing. Another throw forces Payton to dive back. The 2-1 pitch is fouled away as the runner goes. 2-2 count, Payton back to first. The 2-2 is lined into right a base-hit as the runner was running. Payton is at third. Base-hit would win it for the O’s.

Torres is up with runners on the corners. He fouls the first pitch back, 0-1. A looper falls behind third in fair territory. Base-hit, Game over. Pelfrey blows it.

Final Score
Mets 3 Baltimore 4