Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
New York Post
Mets’ Paul Blackburn rebounds with help from effective curveball
By Mike Puma,
5 hours ago
Paul Blackburn started the Mets homestand with a dud, but Sunday reverted to the pitcher that had breezed in his first two starts after arriving from Oakland at the trade deadline.
The right-hander allowed one earned run over six innings against the Marlins, but got stuck with a no-decision in the Mets’ 3-2 loss at Citi Field .
Over 92 pitches, Blackburn allowed four hits and one walk with four strikeouts.
Paul Blackburn (58) pitches in the first inning when the New York Mets played the Miami Marlins Sunday, August 18, 2024 at Citi Field in Queens, NY. Robert Sabo for NY Post
In three of his four starts with the club, Blackburn has pitched six innings and allowed one earned run.
The aberration was his start against the A’s on Tuesday, when he got knocked out after surrendering six earned runs over four innings.
Blackburn said he relied on Luis Torrens — who had never caught him — to set the course. That meant relying on his curveball.
“The curveball in the bullpen is something I had feel for and then the first couple of innings I did as well,” Blackburn said. “And then we kind of just kept it moving.”
Starling Marte went 1-for-3 with a single as the starter in right field in his return from the injured list.
Marte had last played for the team on June 22 before going on the injured list with a bone bruise in his right knee.
In what could be an indication of manager Carlos Mendoza’s plans for utilizing his personnel — especially with Marte’s defense problematic earlier in the season — Marte was removed before the start of the seventh inning, when Tyrone Taylor shifted from center field to right and Harrison Bader entered the game.
New York Mets right fielder Starling Marte (6) tosses the ball after a making a catch during the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
“There are no restrictions for me,” Marte said. “Everybody knows how aggressive on the bases I can be and I will continue to do that. When I get a chance to do it I will.”
The Mets also have Jesse Winker, who arrived at the trade deadline, as part of the outfield mix.
“I feel good because everybody has been successful since I have been out,” Marte said. “Everybody is getting a chance to play.”
Ben Gamel was designated for assignment to create roster space for Marte.
Dedniel Nunez is scheduled to pitch Tuesday in his first minor league rehab game since he was placed on the injured list last month with a right pronator strain.
For the latest in sports, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/sports/
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.
Comments / 0