Mets 2 – Astros 1
It may turn out to be savvy, or it may turn out to be silly. But the fact is, this is why the Mets traded Scott Kazmir.
Truth is, it’s far too early to evaluate the merits of one of the Mets’ most controversial deals in years. Hey, maybe Kazmir is a future Ron Guidry, and maybe the man he was traded for is a future Ron Villone.
But at least for yesterday, Victor Zambrano’s four superb pitches let New York know exactly what he’s capable of doing.
“That’s why we got him,” pitching coach Rick Peterson said.
The Mets got Zambrano because he has filthy stuff, and if you haven’t seen the former Tampa Bay righty, flip on a tape of yesterday’s game. Zambrano didn’t win the game; he dominated it. He didn’t handcuff the Astros; he owned them. Quite frankly, this was an eye-opening outing by a pitcher who is starting to impress.
“The Mets have given me a good opportunity to be here,” Zambrano said. “I want to do the best I can.”
His best was plenty good enough yesterday. In fact, in the Mets’ 2-1 win at Shea, Zambrano’s best was magnificent. He was perfect for the first 42/3innings and overall allowed only two hits and one run – none earned – in seven frames. He walked just two, struck out five and for most of the day appeared unhittable.
No balls were hit hard against Zambrano until, with two outs in the fifth, Jose Vizcaino reached on a sharp single to third. The only hit that left the infield against Zambrano was Lance Berkman’s sixth-inning RBI single to right.
Zambrano, now 12-1 lifetime against NL teams with a 2.72 ERA, had command of all four of his pitches – two-seamer, four-seamer, changeup and slider – but most of his damage came from his nasty slider. The pitch swerves diagonally down with frightening speed and movement, and Houston hitters were completely overmatched.
“He’s got a Bugs Bunny slider,” catcher Jason Phillips said.
When the Mets acquired Zambrano for Kazmir – their best prospect – they were banking he could remedy his disturbing control issues. How has it worked out? Well, in going 2-0 with a 2.92 ERA for the Mets, guess how many combined hit batters and wild pitches Zambrano has totaled? Zero.
Peterson has repeatedly declined to discuss what changes he’s made to Zambrano, and the pitcher would only admit to little things. But Phillips has noticed at least one difference.
“I think Rick’s convinced him that his stuff’s good enough where he can keep it over the plate and let it move,” the catcher said.
Part of the trust built between Peterson and Zambrano came from Dodger pitcher Wilson Alvarez, who’s one of Zambrano’s closest friends and who worked in the minors with Peterson. As Zambrano said, “He [Alvarez] gave me some hints about Peterson.”
In his return to New York, Andy Pettitte was strong, allowing just one run in 5 2/3 innings. But with the game tied 1-1 in the seventh and old buddy David Weathers pitching, Danny Garcia doubled. Three batters later in the Mets’ injury-depleted lineup, Joe McEwing smacked a go-ahead RBI single to left, making that Weathers-for-Richard Hidalgo trade look even more one-sided.
Of course, the more significant trade return was on the mound yesterday for the Mets. For three hours yesterday at least, Zambrano looked like a winner.
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Simply Zamtastic
Victor Zambrano was stellar against the Astros yesterday. Here’s how that performance compared to his Mets debut last Thursday in Milwaukee:
IP H R ER BB SO NP B S
Aug. 5 at Mil. 5 1/3 8 6 4 3 7 110 48 62
Aug. 12 vs. Hou. 7 2 1 0 2 5 94 35 59