MLB

Mets’ Niese notches his 13th win to cap breakout season

UNDER THE RADAR: Jon Niese makes his final start of 2012 in tthe Mets’ 3-1 victory over the Braves last night, allowing one run in seven innings to earn his 13th victory in a successful campaign that didn’t gain as much attention as those of teammates R.A. Dickey and Johan Santana. (
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ATLANTA — Jon Niese belongs on a short list of positive developments for the Mets this season, but sometimes it seems as if only his teammates noticed.

”Johan [Santana] throws the no-hitter, R.A. [Dickey] goes for 20 wins, even when Dillon [Gee] had surgery it has overshadowed Niese,” catcher Josh Thole said before the Mets spoiled Chipper Jones Night at Turner Field with a 3-1 victory over the Braves. “The spotlight has been off Jon, and he’s been out there doing a good job.”

The left-hander allowed one run — on Freddie Freeman’s fourth-inning home run — over seven innings and received the victory last night to finish his season 13-9 with a 3.40 ERA. Included was a stretch of eight consecutive games to close his season in which Niese pitched at least six innings and allowed three earned runs or fewer.

Niese went out strong, setting the Braves down 1-2-3 in the seventh after Lucas Duda’s three-run homer had given the Mets the lead in the top of the inning.

Niese wasn’t as flashy as rookie Matt Harvey, who burst onto the scene on July 26 and almost immediately became the focal point of the organization’s promising young pitching.

METS BOX SCORE

But Niese, who won’t turn 26 until next month, also can be considered a big part of the equation. That is provided the Mets don’t use him as a trade chip this winter, in an effort to fill holes in their lineup.

An AL talent evaluator who has watched the Mets regularly said the team — especially given Santana’s tenuous status — should not be in a hurry to trade Niese.

”I would hold him for sure,” the talent evaluator said. “Solid starting pitching, especially left-handed, is a critical component for a good roster and Jon is young and relatively inexpensive. I’ll take him if they want to trade him.”

Niese was only 11-11 with a 4.40 ERA last year — when he missed the final month of the season with a rib-cage strain. From the Mets’ perspective, Niese’s improvement this year has come through durability and the development of a changeup as a legitimate fourth pitch.

”The biggest thing for me was being able to stay healthy,” Niese said.

Manager Terry Collins cited Niese’s patience this season.

”One of the things I saw him do last year was he got away from some pitches,” Collins said. “There were nights where his curveball wasn’t working early in the game, and he kind of stopped using it. This year, he hasn’t done that. He’s stayed with his pitches, and that’s why I think he’s had a good year.”

Niese’s success has justified the front office’s decision last spring to give him a five-year contract worth $25.5 million. The agreement also contains options for 2017 and 2018 that could raise the total worth to $46.5 million.

In 190 1/3 innings this season, Niese allowed only 174 hits with 155 strikeouts and 49 walks.

”He’s kind of getting not much recognition, and that’s the thing, because he’s been one of our horses, going out every five days and keeping us in the ballgame,” Thole said. “He’s just really done a great job of giving us quality starts, night in and night out.”

* Dickey’s final start of the season will come either Tuesday or Wednesday at Miami, depending upon how he feels today. The knuckleballer was still in celebration mode yesterday, a day after beating the Pirates for his 20th win of the season.

”I don’t know if I’ve really come down from it yet, which is odd for me,” Dickey said. “It’s a special moment and I’m really enjoying the moment.”