PHILADELPHIA — Nobody has felt the effects of the Mets’ roller-coaster season more than Francisco Rodriguez.
Though K-Rod had a strong first month statistically, converting six of seven save chances while posting a 1.86 ERA, he said something is missing.
“I don’t think I have thrown the ball good yet,” Rodriguez said before the Mets’ 14-inning, 2-1 win over the Phillies last night. “I’ve fallen behind in the count too many times and the walks and hits are high, so that’s something I have to improve in this month coming up.”
Rodriguez said there’s no magic bullet other than getting consistent work. He had gone three games without getting the ball before he threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings last night. He worked out of a bases-loaded jam after entering in the eighth and stranded two more Phillies in the ninth.
“That streak we had [six straight victories], I was pitching and everything was clicking and everything as far as location was there,” Rodriguez said. “It’s tough when you go four in a row, sit down and then another four or five days later you pitch, so it’s been difficult.”
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Manager Terry Collins praised Daniel Murphy for the progress he’s made at second base.
“He is getting more comfortable on where he needs to be on things,” Collins said. “The ground balls were never a factor because he was a good first baseman. The part I think he’s getting better and better on is around the bag — the tags and double plays. The more he plays, the more comfortable he’s going to be.”
Justin Turner started in Murphy’s place against lefty Cliff Lee and went 0-for-3. Murphy pinch-hit for Turner against righty Ryan Madson in the ninth inning and also went hitless in three at-bats, including grounding out with the go-ahead run on third to end the 13th.
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Johan Santana has increased his throwing distance to 150 feet in the outfield, according to Collins, who said the lefty ace “feels great.” Santana remains on track to start throwing from a mound in the next two weeks, the manager said, in hopes of a late-June or early-July return to the Mets.
“He’s right on schedule,” Collins said.
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After facing Roy Halladay on Saturday and Lee last night, the Mets will prepare for a third Cy Young award winner in less than a week: Tim Lincecum is scheduled to pitch Wednesday for the Giants at Citi Field.
“For me, this is what the game is about,” Collins said. “It’s about the competition.”