ATLANTA – Glendon Rusch learned from the horrible experience. He thinks tonight will be different. Having pitched in one Mets-Braves matchup, he is more prepared.
“I have a little bit better game plan that I’ll stick with,” said the 25-year-old Rusch, which includes not getting as overly excited as he thought he did last time out.
In the final game of the John Rocker Circus at Shea July 2, Rusch thought he threw more than pitched and allowed seven runs, all earned, on 13 hits during his five innings of a 10-2 loss to the Braves.
“I think earlier in the year it was, obviously, one of the bigger games I’ve ever pitched,” said Rusch, who before becoming a Met pitched for the Royals. “Now I’m a little more relaxed and I can go out there and pitch my game and stick to my gameplan.”
This learning process is important for Rusch not only for the Mets’ division hopes this season, but for what Rusch can become.
Next season, he very well could be the Mets No. 4 or, possibly, No. 3 starter with the righty Bobby Jones and Rick Reed free agents.
“His experience have been tough experiences that is all part of the maturing process,” manager Bobby Valentine said of Rusch.
“I thought he was pretty mature coming into spring training. He was presented a challenge when he got there and he’s been answering challenges since.”
Rusch isn’t a hard thrower. He finesses opponents. For one of the rare times this season, Rusch forgot this July 2 as he faced the pitcher he looked up to most while growing up in Washington state, Tom Glavine.
“I felt the time I faced them before I got away from my game plan and was kind of throwing the ball out there more than I was pitching,” Rusch said. “I think I tried to do more than I can do that day and that ended up hurting me.”
“What also has shown is a few times over the year he has given up a three or four spot in an inning that speaks volumes, keeping your composure, more importantly keeping the club in the ballgame even though things weren’t going his way,” pitching coach Dave Wallace said.
