Tom Brennan - THE VALENZUELA VALLEY
Hitters have the ingnominious "Mendoza Line" for when they hit below .200.
But what do the pitchers have? In the spirit of Mendoza, I nominate the term "Valenzuela Valley."
Fernando Valenzuela once upon a time took baseball by storm with EIGHT shutouts in his rookie season, quite a career peak...and 26 shutouts in his first 5 seasons.
In his last season in 1997, though, Mr. Valenzuela went 2-12, quite a valley for Fernando. A Valenzuela Valley.
Which Mets pitchers this year have spent more time in the Valley than on the peak? Let's take a peek:
Kevin McGowan - given some early spring exposure, it did not go well: 4.1 IP, 13 H, 14 R, 5 BB, 5 K, 3 HR.
Hansel "Boom Boom" Robles - his homer-surrendering penchant continues, with 10 IP, 15 H, 12 R, 4 BB, 11 K, and 5 homers. Can anyone spell "souvenir"?
Rafael Montero - the man of a million chances is plotzing in this latest one: 8.2 IP, 11 H, 11 R, 5 BB, 10 K.
Jeurys Familia - voted most likely to vault out of the valley, Familia has gone 6.1 IP and allowed 6 H, 5 R, 3 BB, just 1 K.
Zach Wheeler - shops at Hits R Us: 8 IP, 15 H, 6 R, 2 BB, and 11 K. I find the 11 Ks very encouraging, though.
Jamie Callahan - his relief work needs relief - I suggest Rolaids: 6.2 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 3 BB, 4 K.
I hope the Valley Boys will soon be seen with binoculars on surrounding peaks, looking down from the heights.
Steve Matz by the way was BRILLIANT on Monday (6 innings, 2 runs, 9 Ks), and although he started this spring in the valley, he sure seems BACK TO ME!! GREAT NEWS!!
4 comments:
Big Matt looked solid again today, with 5 IP of 1R, 5K ball. And A-Gon hit a HR.
Darnaud hit a BOMB today too
Lag climbed over Mendoza with 2 hits today, and Amed had 3 to go over.300! The final 10 days are off to a good start.
I agree, Bill. Even Reyes got hits. Lets roll.
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