Will Rafael Montero make his next start for the Mets?
NEW YORK – Once again, Rafael Montero didn’t give the Mets what they hoped for. But they still remain hopeful for his future.
Though the Mets managed to pull out an 8-7 win over the Marlins, their right-hander was touched up for five runs on seven hits, three walks and a hit-by-pitch in just 3 2/3 innings on Friday night.
That tough outing – his first start of the season – continued the struggles Rivera had faced out of the bullpen earlier this season, when he posted a 9.45 ERA over 6 2/3 innings in six appearances.
But manager Terry Collins and the Mets aren’t giving up.
“He gets behind,” Collins said. “You know, they fouled some pitches off. He had a very high pitch count again tonight. Again, when he mixes them up and he keeps the ball in the zone (he’s good).
One bright side for Montero was the first pitch; he poured 18 of his 22 first pitches over for strikes.
But the trouble cropped up after that. Montero wasn’t able…