PORT ST. LUCIE — If Bill Pulsipher doesn’t pitch very well tonight against the Dodgers, then Glendon Rusch — using yesterday’s five-plus-inning, one-earned-run performance as the final boost — is going to be named the fifth starter of the Mets.
The 25-year-old Rusch walked off the mound yesterday at Thomas J. White Stadium to a standing salute from the 5,667 on hand. They cheered because Rusch had stepped up. The left-hander threw 52/3 innings in which he gave up one run on five hits in the Mets’ 4-2 win over the Indians.
“I feel like I’ve had the spring I’ve wanted to have,” Rusch said. “Everything from there is out of my control.”
Rusch finished the Florida portion of his work with a 1-0 record and a 3.24 ERA in 162/3 innings. This is the best of any of the four contenders for the fifth spot — Jersey Bobby Jones (1-0, 7.62), Dennis Springer (2-0, 6.30) and Pulsipher (0-2, 6.55) being the other three.
Rusch’s performance means the 26-year-old Pulsipher will need an outstanding outing to stay in contention.
Although the decision will be based on many factors (past performance, etc.), Pulsipher needs a good start to avoid elimination because, for one, Valentine would rather have the competition over sooner than later.
“I’d prefer it, because I think it is better for everyone concerned,” Valentine said.
It seems best for Rusch, who Valentine thought had “probably” the best start yesterday of any of the No. 5 candidates this spring. The pitch that is making it happen for Rusch is his two-seamer, which he used effectively in his later innings yesterday to induce ground balls.
“I didn’t know how quickly that two-seamer would become part of his package,” Valentine said. “I didn’t really think he could pitch effectively without it.”
Without it, Rusch doesn’t throw hard enough to get people out consistently. The knock on Rusch throughout his career is that he could get through an order once, but then he would falter partly due, he admits, to lack of focus. Yesterday, his concentration was up and his ball was down.
“He did a lot of those little things you like to see,” Valentine said.
Like strike out Manny Ramirez in the second and get Ramirez to hit a fly ball to left with two men on.
“I like the way he came after him,” Valentine said. “He just missed when he missed and he got him out.”
He came out in the sixth after throwing 76 pitches to give Pat Mahomes work against Ramirez (Mahomes struck him out) in a situation resembling a regular-season game.
Springer, who would’ve thrown in the major league game if Rusch had faltered yesterday, watched and knew that he would not get his opportunity.
“I thought he was awesome,” Springer said of Rusch.
Springer, a knuckleballer, and Jones, a lefty, figure to only own outside chances. The 35-year-old Springer — who will pitch in a Triple-A game today — is the most known product of the four and has pitched the second-best in camp. If sent down, his contract calls for him to released in June if he is not in the majors by then. He seems like good insurance if the younger guys don’t work out. Jones is likely headed to Norfolk. He owns potential, but needs improvement.
As for Rusch, he won’t speculate. He is just going to find out where he will pitch next and go from there.
“Those things can clog your mind,” said Rusch, who is 12-25 with a 5.78 ERA thus far in his career.
