Maine a little sore, but OK

John Maine worked five shutout innings Wednesday night in his return from a strained right rotator cuff that had sent him to the disabled list. By the time he left, he had a dozen runs in his back pocket and his manager did not want him to take any needless risks.If there were any negative vibration to the Mets' 12-0 victory over the woeful Washington Nationals, it was that Maine said his shoulder was "still a little sore" after the game."It's something I've kind of got to deal with," Maine said. "It's tough to come back from. It's fine enough to pitch."Maine (10-7) became the third Mets starter to reach the 10-victory mark this season; the others are Johan Santana (10-7) and Mike Pelfrey (10-8). Oliver PA(c)rez (8-7) will start the series finale here Thursday night as the Mets go for a three-game sweep.With the injury-troubled Pedro MartA­nez (3-3) healthy and effective again as the No. 5 starter, the Mets' rotation would seem to be as good as their bullpen is inconsistent. But much will depend on the health of Maine, who gave up one hit and four walks while striking out six.Catcher Brian Schneider said Maine was "a little rusty" and was aiming his pitches a little. "We want him to stay positive and not get frustrated," Schneider said.Maine said his fastball was not as good as usual. Manager Jerry Manuel said Maine "appeared to be fatigued" in the fifth inning, when he walked two batters. He threw 90 pitches, 53 for strikes. But Manuel added that Maine "threw some good curveballs." Of the Mets' 12 runs and 13 hits, Manuel said, "We needed to have an offensive game like this." The Mets have played a lot of close games and have been forced to rely on a bullpen that is without its injured closer, Billy Wagner.The only relief pitcher needed Wednesday was Brian Stokes, who worked the final four innings and gave up three hits while striking out three before 30,814 fans. He earned his first career save and became the fourth Mets pitcher with a save since Wagner went on the disabled list last week.Mets Notes:
Fernando Tatis and Daniel Murphy hit home runs for the Mets, who began the day one game behind the Phillies in the National League East. (Philadelphia played the Dodgers in Los Angeles.)Murphy, a rookie, went 3 for 6 and had three runs batted in. He is batting .467 in 11 games, including two home runs. When asked if he could have imagined such a start, Murphy said: "No, never. I was just coming up here trying to contribute to an already very good team."A left-handed batter, he has been hitting the ball to left field and left-center. "I'm just trying to get a good pitch to hit and drive it through the middle," Murphy said."

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