Rafael Montero Dominates as New York Mets Blank Cincinnati Reds

The New York Mets had high expectations for starting pitcher Rafael Montero, but he has never quite lived up to his potential. On Wednesday night in Cincinnati, however, he put forth one of the best starts of his career.

Even though he has struggled to be a consistent starting pitcher during his brief MLB career, Rafael Montero has shown flashes of brilliance. He was dominant against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday night and helped the New York Mets get a shutout victory.

With all of the injuries that the Mets have had this year, Montero has gotten the chance to be a part of the starting rotation for most of the second half of the season. Lately, he has actually been pitching well. His start against the Reds was undoubtedly the best one he has had in his career thus far.

The Mets offense gave Montero some run support early in the game. In the top of the first inning, Wilmer Flores hit an RBI-double, giving the Mets a 1-0 lead. Flores then scored on a Kevin Plawecki RBI-double. Those two runs ended up being all that Montero needed.

Montero was extremely efficient through the first eight innings. Going into the ninth inning, he had only surrendered one hit and three walks. Montero had also recorded eight strikeouts through eight innings of work.

The first time Montero ran into any trouble was in the bottom of the ninth inning. After retiring the first batter of the inning, he gave up consecutive hits to Phillip Ervin and Zack Cozart. With runners on second and third and just one out, Montero then intentionally walked Joey Votto.

Montero had allowed 1 hit. But with 1 out in the 9th, the Reds have consecutive hits.
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) August 31, 2017

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With the bases loaded and Montero’s pitch count at 117, Mets manager Terry Collins decided to take him out of the game. AJ Ramos came in and struck out the only two batters he faced to earn the save and seal the 2-0 victory for the Mets.

Considering how he has pitched this season since joining the rotation, Montero could be sticking around past 2017. As reported by Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, he has a 4.24 ERA in 11 starts since joining the rotation back in June.

Since joining the Mets' rotation in late June, Rafael Montero owns a 4.24 ERA over 11 starts, with 62 K and 25 BB in 63.2 IP.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) August 31, 2017

Next: Early Predictions for the 2018 New York Mets Lineup

If the New York Mets pitching staff is not fully healthy next year, then Montero could find himself back in the rotation. His recent performances have the given the Mets a reason to reconsider his future with the franchise.

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