What it Means to be John Maine is that Raul Valdes Will be Coming in Soon as Mets Take Game from Nationals 10-7 at Nationals Park Thursday

The New York Mets defeated the Washington Nationals 10-7 last night at Nationals Park clubbing 15 hits. The Mets were led by Jason Bay and Ike Davis, with each going 3-for-5 in the game. David Wright (aka K-Rite) had 4 RBIs and went 1-for-4 with a bases clearing double in the 1st inning and a later productive out which was great to see. However the real story was starting pitcher John Maine who lasted only five pitches before getting the hook. Maine should have known he had a short leash seeing reliever Raul Valdes warming up in the bullpen before the game. After Maine’s fifth pitch he was taken out and had a word or two with manager Jerry Manuel as he walked down the dugout steps. Manuel said he didn’t like what he saw and didn’t want to be responsible for ruining a young pitchers career. Maine could not get his velocity any where near 90 MPH and his velocity while warming-up in the bullpen was nowhere near it should have been either. I watched the post game on SNY and saw Maine’s lovely attitude. Maine said the following as reported by espn.com:

"Look, I've felt pain for two years, but I'm over that," said Maine, whose velocity hasn't returned since Sept. 30, 2008 surgery to remove a bony growth from his right shoulder socket. "I don't care about that. I'm well enough to pitch. I wanted to pitch. That's the bottom line."

Pitching coach Dan Warthen also spoke to reporters after the game:

"I just didn't think John had enough to compete tonight," Warthen said. "When he's throwing that way, then there's got to be something incorrect in that arm. Something's got to be feeling bad. John's a habitual liar in a lot of ways as far as his own health. He's a competitor and a warrior and he wants to go out there and pitch. But you have to be smart enough to realize this guy isn't right. The ball is not coming out of his hand correctly."

Valdes was excellent in his appearance for 5.0 innings and earned the win. I don’t know how this will play out down the road or if Maine will get his next start. Maine may have lost his teammates last night and if he was not ready to go should have said something before the game. This can’t be good for a team that needs to get back to .500 as they play the Subway Series starting tonight at Citi Field against the New York Yankees.