The Cubs came into this weekend series with the Mets as one of the hottest offensive teams in the National League.
Chicago is in the top three of almost every offensive category, including batting average (third), home runs (second), hits (first), runs batted in (first) and stolen bases (first), so it was going to be a challenge for Clay Holmes, Friday’s starter, to keep them in check. But that’s exactly what the veteran right-hander did, helping the Mets defeat the high-powered Cubs, 7-2.
“He was really good,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said of Holmes’ performance. “On a day that the sinker had a lot of movement. It was windy and the ball was moving a lot.”
As the Mets skipper pointed out, the cold and windy conditions at Citi Field were not conducive to Holmes’ signature sinker. So much so that catcher Francisco Alvarez told him in the dugout after the first inning that the pitch was moving more than normal. Mendoza jokingly told Alvarez that he better find a way to keep it around the plate, and Holmes credited his backstop for being “on top of it” throughout the game.
“The sinker felt good today. There was some really good movement on it,” Holmes said. “Those days, it’s a matter of trusting it… Try not to force it and trust that the movement is going to be there, and that’s what we did today. Used the slider effectively, used the sweeper effectively. Got some big outs behind the count and when we were ahead, was able to make some pitches.”
Holmes’ sinker, along with his array of other pitches, allowed him to go six innings, allowing just one run on three hits, three walks and striking out five batters.
“He went to the changeup when he needed to, went to the breaking ball when he needed to,” Mendoza said. “Made it look easy on a night when it wasn’t the best conditions for his pitch repertoire. And he found a way.”
Holmes came into Friday’s start not having allowed a home run this season. That would change on Kyle Tucker‘s fourth-inning solo shot, the only blemish on Holmes’ ledger on this night. But the Cubs just couldn’t get rallies going against the former closer and Holmes was asked after the game how he was able to keep Chicago down.
“Trusting my strengths. When my sinker is right, there’s a lot of outs with it,” he said. “They’re one of the best teams in the NL. Times like that, it’s about not trying to do too much, trusting your stuff, and see where you’re out.
“Was able to put some pressure early with the sinker. Movement was good, and was able to pitch off that. That’s been the backbone of my career. Was able to show up today.”
Friday was Holmes’ second consecutive quality start and his third in four games. In that span, he’s 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA.
Holmes says the key to going deeper in games this season has been to “trust in the contact” while trusting his defense behind him.
“I can get into spurts where I nibble too much and overthink some things,” he said. “Just throw my pitches in the zone and trust the defense. I’ve been able to settle into that. It’s allowed me to get into better counts, earlier contact, and go deep into games.”
When the Mets signed Holmes this offseason to be a starter after years of being an All-Star closer, it was a risk but one that is so far paying off for both parties. Friday is another example of that, with Holmes throwing a career-high 93 pitches and giving the Mets some length heading into the meat of this weekend series.
Holmes credits the program that he is on, which has allowed his body to adapt and build off of each outing. And he’ll need that program as it’s likely Holmes’ next start will come on regular rest. It will be the first time he’ll be pitching on four days rest this season, but Holmes says while his the amount of pitches he throws in his bullpen sessions, which won’t change, may differ, he feels he’ll be ready.
“I’m in a good spot for it, and I’m ready to roll,” he said.
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