NEW YORK — The process of bolstering the relief corps began this week when the Mets acquired Phil Maton from the Rays. If the team is to compete for a playoff spot despite two members of its Opening Day bullpen having Tommy John surgery, two others who are seriously underperforming and a fifth who has long been designated for assignment, more additions will be needed.
But don’t underestimate the importance of help from within. To that end, the Mets may have found a solution in José Buttó, a pitcher who team management once considered—and still considers—to be too valuable a depth piece to be a full-time reliever. Only when needed have the Mets begun to reluctantly use Buttó out of the bullpen, where he suddenly proves—once again—too valuable to trade.
On Saturday afternoon, Buttó found himself in a tough spot in the fifth inning at Citi Field, with a chance to tie the game and take the lead on bases with one out. He induced a 3-6-1 double play to end the threat, quickly reaching first base himself, then struck out all three batters in the sixth inning to earn a 7-3 victory over the Rockies.
The Mets scored four runs off Colorado starter Ryan Feltner in the second inning, including two on a double by Jeff McNeil. Francisco Lindor extended the lead with a three-run home run in the eighth inning.
Meanwhile, Colorado crushed Mets starter Christian Scott in 4 1/3 innings, requiring a heavy workload from New York’s bullpen. Buttó and another key reliever, Dedniel Núñez, did their part and more to ensure the Rockies couldn’t complete their comeback attempt.
News Source : www.mlb.com
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