MET NOTES
With Billy Wagner and a few other relievers unavailable yesterday, Jorge Julio was given the ball for the ninth inning. Not surprisingly, Julio struggled – but he eventually took care of business.
Two hits, a walk and a run later, Julio earned his first Met save, preserving a 6-5 victory over Atlanta that gave the Mets their fifth win in the last six games. Earlier in the day, bullpen coach Guy Conti gave Julio the heads-up that he might close.
“So I was focused for the ninth inning, and it’s my job before [in Baltimore],” Julio said. “Willie [Randolph] gave me the opportunity, and I took the opportunity.”
Julio was working for the fourth time in five days, but he said he’s feeling 100 percent. He also earned the victory in Friday night’s 8-7, 14-inning victory with a scoreless inning. “He’s gaining more and more confidence,” Randolph said. “He buckled down and made some nice pitches at the right time.
“When he’s making pitches, he’s as tough as anyone around. I believe in him. I always have.”
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Wagner insists the torn tendon sheath in his left middle finger isn’t hampering him on the hill. On Friday night, he allowed an 11th-inning homer to Wilson Betemit. Additionally, he’s already blown three of 10 save chances.
Moreover, Wagner has compiled an 8/19 walk/strikeout ratio in 17 innings this season. In 2004, Wagner only walked six men over 45 appearances. Last year, he walked 20 men in 772/3 innings. Will Carroll, who writes the well-regarded “Under the Knife” column on the Web site “Baseball Prospectus,” has repeatedly asserted that the injury is bothering Wagner. According to Carroll, Wagner can’t get tight backspin on his pitches because of the finger, which has resulted in a velocity drop, a lack of command and a lack of boring action on his fastball.
Before the game, Wagner became agitated when asked if the injury was behind his poor start. He noted that he’s recently been clocked at 97 mph and that getting lit up here is no different than occasional struggles throughout his career.
“My finger does not hurt,” he said. “I can [stink] without having an issue.”
