Maine finishes season on high note

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a nearly-empty Nationals Park more than three hours before game time, John Maine stood in the green grass in left field and gently tossed the baseball to his catcher.

Maine, 28, was a solitary figure last week, but the season ended on an up note for the North Stafford High School graduate.

After going on the disabled list with shoulder problems following his outing June 6 at Washington, the Hartwood product returned to the mound Sept. 13 and allowed one run in three innings against playoff-bound Philadelphia.

"I like the way he's throwing, over the top again," pitching coach Dan Warthen told reporters just before Maine came off the disabled list. "We're excited for him, and he's excited. It's a big day for him."

The Fredericksburg native then pitched five scoreless innings Sept. 20 at home against the Nationals before allowing seven runs in 4.2 innings Sept. 26 at the Florida Marlins. He ended his season with a start at home Oct. 2 against the Houston Astros and allowed just one run on five hits in seven innings as the Mets won, 7-1.

"I did not want to shut my season down in July or August," said the right-handed Maine, sitting at his locker during the Mets trip to Nationals Park the last week of the season. "I am still getting paid and there are still guys out there. I wanted to be a part of it. I am glad I did."

Maine, who graduated 10 years ago from North Stafford, was drafted out of college at Charlotte by the Orioles in the sixth round in 2002. He worked his way up through the Oriole farm system and made his Major League debut in 2004. He was traded to the Mets after the 2005 season.

Maine was 7-6 this season with an ERA of 4.43 in 15 starts. In 81.1 innings he allowed just 67 hits with 38 walks and 55 strikeouts. Last year he was 10-8 with an ERA of 4.18 in 25 starts for the Mets. His best season came in 2007 when he was 15-10, 3.91 in 32 starts for New York.

"It is good to go out there and get a few more innings in. I feel OK," said Maine, who is now 40-33 at the big league level in 99 games, with 96 starts.

This was a rough season for Maine and the Mets. New York was plagued by injuries to several top players, including Maine. The team had more than 90 losses and had its worst record since 2003.

Maine said he benefitted from Warthen, who was named to the role as pitching coach June 17, 2008 after former manager Willie Randolph and pitching coach Rick Peterson were dismissed.

Maine said he expects to spend this off-season at his home in Virginia and does not plan any major changes to his off-season workouts.

"It gives us a lot of hope," manager Jerry Manuel of the Mets told reporters in New York after Maine's strong outing Oct. 2. "I haven't seen his slider that good since he's come back, and his fastball had late life. Very encouraging for all of us."

David Driver is a contributing writer for The Stafford County Sun. He can be reached at info@staffordcountysun.com.