BIG EFFORT: Mike Pelfrey, who allowed one run in four innings, unleashes a pitch during the Mets’ 7-6 victory over the Yankees yesterday in an exhibition game. (AP)
PORT ST. LUCIE — Mike Pelfrey’s spring training from hell is over, with at least some sense of optimism he won’t be a complete train wreck for the Mets this season.
For four innings yesterday against the Yankees, it was Pelfrey at his best, allowing only a run. It followed six dominant Pelfrey innings against the Astros five days earlier. Maybe there is hope for the right-hander, after all.
“I had a good idea of where the ball was going to go,” Pelfrey said on a day the Mets beat the Yankees 7-6 in the first exhibition game between the subway rivals since 1996. “When you get that, you are ready to go. I feel good. I’m excited to get out of here and get the season going.”
Pelfrey was never close to getting released this spring, but the subject was broached during a meeting of club officials. It led to manager Terry Collins issuing Pelfrey a warning last month that he needed to start producing, after three awful appearances.
Over his final 10 1/3 innings, against the Astros and Yankees, the righty allowed two earned runs on five hits. Yesterday his only blemish was a fourth-inning solo home run surrendered to Nick Swisher. Pelfrey allowed two hits against the Yankees with five strikeouts and no walks.
Pelfrey said he took Collins’ message to heart about getting his act together.
“It made me think I better get it going,” said Pelfrey, who finished the spring with a 7.62 ERA. “Obviously I want to be here, and I want to pitch and I want to be successful.
“I’m not a guy who has ever had great spring trainings and when [Collins] says that it makes you want to get it going a little quicker, so I tried to amp it up a little faster. I feel like I’m ready.”
Pelfrey battled a high-ankle sprain earlier in camp, but never used it as an excuse for his poor performances. But his velocity has increased gradually with the improvement of the ankle. One Pelfrey fastball was clocked at 97 mph by stadium radar yesterday.
But Pelfrey also could have been jolted by the realization his spring results mattered to team brass.
“Certainly when you are a veteran guy, you don’t get caught up with what you’re doing,” Collins said. “But I think when all of a sudden people are asking, ‘Do you think something might happen,’ he might say ‘I’m fine and I’m going to show everybody I’m fine.’ ”
The next time Pelfrey pitches, there will be no mistaking the numbers count. He is scheduled to face the Nationals Monday at Citi Field.
Pelfrey used the word “normal” to describe his spring training, given that he’s traditionally struggled in the Grapefruit League. But he acknowledged needing better early performances.
The nadir was the stink bomb he lobbed on March 18, when he allowed eight earned runs over 2 2/3 innings against the Astros in Kissimmee.
“I had to get it going a little earlier, and I’m glad I did, because I feel like I ended on a good note,” Pelfrey said. “The whole thing is I feel good. I feel strong, the ball is coming out and I have an idea of where it’s going. That means I’m going to be able to locate my fastball, which is all I need.”