Jerry Showed No Faith in Big Pelf

Given the July Mike Pelfrey has had some people will look at Jerry Manuel’s decision to remove his starter in the 6th inning of last night’s game in favor of Raul Valdes as one that is somewhat tough to criticize.  Certainly the guys in the SNY booth (Keith Hernandez, Ron Darling, and Gary Cohen) all seemed in agreement that it was the right move to make as the Mets were clinging to a one run lead.  Bobby Ojeda later disagreed with the move on the post game show.  I’m sure most will think this is a ‘hindsight’ post that would not have been written had Valdes been able to retire Kelly Johnson, but that’s probably not the case.  Regardless of the outcome, from the moment I saw Manuel jog to the mound to pull #34, my opinion was set; Pelfrey should have been allowed to finish the inning.  Instead, he was robbed of the chance to get through 6 frames for the first time since June 25th and Jerry Manuel was the self-proclaimed gangsta that robbed him.  Actually, Jose Reyes probably initiated the robbery but Manuel definitely drove the getaway car.

Photo by Michael Baron

Let’s make no mistake about it, Pelfrey has been horrendous over the past month.  At the risk of making everyone sick I won’t even bother posting his numbers.  His struggles against Arizona are also nothing new as he’s remains 0-5 life time against the D-Backs.  Still, with all that said and noting the fact that he had once again struggled mightily through the first 3 innings, his manager should have given him the opportunity to finish the 6th.  The opportunity that was presented with 2 men out and the tying run on 1st in the 6th was one not only for Pelfrey to redeem himself in the eyes of his teammates and coach, but one for his manager to help him build up some of the confidence that he has lost over the past month.  A chance to tell a pitcher who helped carry the team through the first couple months of the season that you believe in him.  A chance to simply say we need and trust you, even if you may not fully trust yourself.

Did Pelfrey deserve that trust?  Has he earned it of late?  Probably not, but the point is this, the risk associated with pulling him did not outweigh the potential reward of having him work through the inning.  Kelly Johnson had singled off Pelfrey in a 1st inning that saw Mike allow 3 runs on 4 hits and a walk.  Big Pelf came back to strike Johnson out in the 4th inning.  So when, in the 6th inning with 2 men out and Ian Kennedy on first courtesy of a Jose Reyes error, the situation arose where Jerry Manuel had an opportunity to give his young starter a vote of confidence, he outwardly rejected it.  Kelly Johnson is only 5-22 (.227 avg) with 1 HR in his career against Pelfrey and Jerry decided to bring in a pitcher who entered the night with an 8.40...TO READ MORE OF THIS POST AND OTHERS LIKE IT HEAD TO METSZILLA.COM BY CLICKING HERE:

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