Johan Santana suffers ‘no-decision’ games as relievers nullify his quality starts - MLB Update
The New York Mets’ most expensive ace on the roster, Johan Santana is unable to justify the status with number of wins in season. Not because he is being roughed up by batters, but the fact every time he throws quality four to five innings, relievers come
and blow the whole effort made until then by him.
He ties with maximum number of no-decision games in National League East Division.
Part of the reason can be traced in his failure to throw shut-out games. Ever since he has made first Major League start after undergoing shoulder surgery, he has not dared to pitch greater number of innings.
Even the management has been conservative. They are concerned about keeping him healthy throughout the season.
The fact the Mets already confront a dearth of quality starters, logic behind using Santana sparingly is understandable.
Santana was aggrieved at not being able to record as many wins as he aimed.
Growing frustrated at-times, he believes, it is beyond the power of single player to ensure that things go their way. He is however hopeful that with few more games and through better support from relievers, he can turn his fate around.
“It’s always tough,” Santana said. “You have a chance to win a ballgame and it didn’t happen. I’m just trying to do my job. Once I do my job and I’m out of the game, I just hope that the guys can finish it, but it’s out of my control. That wasn’t the case
tonight.”
The Mets stand third on the Division table with 21 total victories, not as bad a record as one can imagine after looking at season 1-2 win-loss stats by Santana.
This suggests, it is when Santana comes as starter the misfortune hits the Mets and deprives the former of due wins.
A pitcher with career 134-71 win-loss record cannot afford to be betrayed by relievers anymore. He has to transform his good starts into something critical to an outcome of the game.
One will hope that Santana starts bringing wins for his side soon and lives up to what he is capable of.
Meanwhile, the Mets will want him to show stamina for throwing shut-out games.
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