ST. LOUIS – With the Mets’ offense seemingly lost at La Guardia and their starting hurler serving up pitches like he was in batting practice, there were very few positive moments for the team in last night’s 5-0 NLCS Game 3 loss to the Cardinals.
There was Darren Oliver, and that’s about it.
The relief pitcher, who surprisingly made the team out of spring training, gave the Mets six huge innings of scoreless relief. One night after Willie Randolph used his bullpen for five frames, the pregame talk centered on the need for the team’s starting pitchers to last deep into the games yesterday and today. Steve Trachsel responded with one-plus innings before leaving with an injured thigh.
Oliver, who was not fully warmed up in the bullpen, entered the game with the bases loaded and no one out. Facing his first batter, he threw a wild pitch that allowed David Eckstein to score, but then settled down. The Cardinals would score one more run in the inning on a groundout, then their bats went silent for the rest of the night.
“It’s a playoff game, you’ve gotta be ready,” Oliver said.
The 35-year-old long reliever did his job, allowing three hits in six innings, walking one and striking out three. The 72 pitches were his second-longest outing of the season. One runner reached third against him and three reached second.
“Especially with what happened yesterday, I’m just glad I was able to suck up some innings and keep guys fresh for tomorrow,” Oliver said.
He struck out Scott Spiezio twice after the substitute tortured the Mets on Friday and early yesterday with big hits. He also got Jim Edmonds looking in the fourth inning.
Oliver signed a minor-league contract with the Mets last winter. When Willie Randolph brought him north after spring training, it was viewed by many as a shock. He was sixth among NL relievers and 11th in the majors with 81 innings, proving to be an effective long man for the Mets.
He made a career-high 45 appearances and went unscored upon on 14 of his last 22 outings in the regular season.
Oliver’s effectiveness allowed Randolph to stay away from his other relievers until the eighth inning when he brought in Roberto Hernandez. Chad Bradford, Guillermo Mota, Aaron Heilman and Billy Wagner all got a rest after a long Game 2 on Friday.
They may be needed today with Oliver Perez making the start for the Mets in Game 4.
