Quote: Pedro Can’t be Satisfied
Last night, in a loss to the Padres, Pedro 
Martinez let up a home run to two of the first three batters he faced, but then retired eight straight batters and 11 of 12.
On the night, Martinez allowed two earned runs and four hits while striking out three and walking three through 6.1 innings pitched.
This season, opponents are batting .366 against Martinez during the first 30 pitches he throws.
However, they are batting .196 against Martinez during the next 30 pitches he throws.
Martinez, on his performance and the loss, while talking to reporters following the game, said:
“I can’t be satisfied with a loss, but the results overall on my outing were positive. Even though I got ambushed really early in the game, I gave the team an opportunity - I believe - to stay in the game and rally back…When everything gets sharp, hopefully I’ll be able to do my thing…I felt great. Two outings in almost a month? We have to be realistic here. I haven’t pitched the way I normally would pitch. You can see Oliver Perez and guys who haven’t missed a start, how everything just seems a lot more consistent. I need to pitch, get work under my belt…but I think I am making it there.”
Jerry Manuel, speaking about Martinez, while talking to reporters following the game, said:
“What’s going to be important for him now is to keep the ball in the ballpark. Five home runs in the last two outings? That’s not Pedro-like, but I was very happy with the way he competed after that. He got back in the strike zone with some authority.”
…the stat above should essentially put to rest any talk-radio babble about how martinez should be the team’s closer, or pitch from relief…i think it’s quite clear, not just from the stat line, but from using your own eyes, that pedro needs at least an inning or two to calibrate himself with the opposing team’s offense…this trick, or ability to adjust, is what now makes him a good pitcher…it used to be his power and intensity, now it is his finesse, artistry and intelligence…
