Clay Holmes is working hard to adjust back to being a starting pitcher. On Tuesday, he took a step in the right direction, even if his stats didn’t fully reflect it. The Mets faced off against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field, and despite a shaky start, Holmes showed promise during the game.
Holmes, who previously gained recognition as a strong reliever with the Yankees, is learning to use a wider range of pitches instead of just relying on his sinker. In the game, he struggled in the first inning, walking two batters and allowing two runs. However, he bounced back impressively, retiring eight consecutive batters, five of whom struck out, and finishing with a career-high total of ten strikeouts.
Throughout the game, Holmes relied less on his sinker and utilized his changeup and four-seam fastball more frequently. He acknowledged the need to adapt his pitching style, saying, “I have to use my arsenal and have the awareness to pivot instead of forcing the sinker.” This change was crucial as he faced the Marlins for the second time in a row.
This outing marked a significant milestone for Holmes, as it was the first time this season he made it to the sixth inning. He was particularly effective in the fourth and fifth innings, striking out five batters and allowing only a single fly ball. Despite his success, he ended up allowing four runs over 5 ⅓ innings, throwing 87 pitches.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza praised Holmes for his performance, stating, “He was really good. Better than the line score.” Mendoza pointed out that the pitching conditions were tough, especially with the wind affecting how Holmes’ pitches moved. He admired how Holmes managed to recover from the difficult first inning and still reach the sixth.
Holmes’ day ended with a walk and a double, leading to a couple of runs before he was relieved. Although the final scoreline might not have shown it, there were many positive signs for Holmes and the Mets as they look to improve this season.