Jon Niese and Bartolo Colon stepped in to pitch four-plus innings of relief during Tuesday’s 14-inning marathon in Game 1 of the World Series.
Niese dominated the 10th and 11th innings after Jeurys Familia’s blown save, striking out three batters and allowing an infield single that kicked off third base.
Colon later worked around the Kansas City’s small-ball strategy by inducing a pop-out to centerfield to end a bases-loaded jam in the 12th. He worked around a leadoff single in the 13th inning, but was unable to pitch out of trouble in the 14th after David Wright’s error put the leadoff man on and Colon had to face a bases-loaded, no-out situation.
While Kansas City sent Chris Young, its Game 4 starter, out to pitch three innings, Steven Matz was not available to pitch in relief after throwing an intense simulated game this past weekend in preparation for his start in Game 4, Terry Collins explained to reporters.
Matthew Cerrone
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I’ve been really rough on Niese. But, I have to give him a ton of credit because, despite my absolute fear and paranoia when I see him enter a game, he’s been really good in relief. In three appearances this postseason, facing nine batters, he has struck out five batters, walked no one, given up one hit and no runs. Similarly, Colon has pitched well. He’s been tagged for three runs in 6 2/3 innings, but that reads like a typical Colon start. More important, he’s there. He’s available. And, that’s a huge asset, especially in a game like last night.
It’s also worth noting that Niese and Colon could be used in these roles next year during the regular season. I can’t see Colon getting a long-term deal any place. He wants to keep pitching and I don’t know he’ll be guaranteed a spot in anyone’s rotation next season. I wonder if he’d be down for a one-year deal, knowing in advance that he might get a handful of spot starts, relief appearances and essentially be a jack-of-all-trades. At the same time, while Niese may be in the rotation, he’ll eventually get bounced when Zach Wheeler returns from the disabled list. And, it’s nice to know he’ll be capable of transitioning to the bullpen, if that’s what they ask him to do.
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