Holmes racks up 8 K's as transition to SP progresses

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- For most pitchers, their numbers in Spring Training outings are largely unimportant in the grand scheme of preparing for the season.

For Clay Holmes, however, one number stood out on Sunday: 67.

¡°Probably the most pitches I've thrown in a while,¡± Holmes said.

Although Spring Training pitch-count records from years past are shaky and unreliable, Holmes¡¯ 67 pitches would represent the second-highest total in a game during his career; he threw 82 in a start for the Pirates in July 2018, throwing 64 and 66 pitches in two other outings that season. Only once in his career as a reliever did Holmes even top 50 pitches, so his work Sunday marked a big step forward in his move from the bullpen to the rotation.

¡°I think these next few outings will be important, stretching toward that final pitch count,¡± Holmes said. ¡°Also just seeing how my stuff plays second time through the lineup, third time through the lineup, getting that feel of getting guys out this way, getting guys out another way.¡±

Holmes allowed one hit and walked three over 3 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out eight Nationals (his career high is six). The right-hander threw 38 of his pitches for strikes, though he had to rely on his entire arsenal rather than leaning on his trademark sinker, which wasn¡¯t there in the early innings.

¡°It just kind of forced me to pitch a little bit, which I think is good,¡± Holmes said, noting that his changeup induced both a ground ball and a number of swings and misses. ¡°Just to kind of be forced to throw that a little bit and have some good results was nice to see.¡±

Holmes has been working all spring to fine-tune that changeup, a pitch he essentially abandoned when he became a full-time reliever in 2019.

¡°He had to pitch today,¡± manager Carlos Mendoza said. ¡°On a day that he would probably tell you that the two-seam wasn't at its best, that's part of the transition. It¡¯s just finding a way -- whether it's the slider, the changeup, the cutter, the four-seam -- finding a way to get through innings. He did that today.¡±

Holmes has not allowed a run over 9 2/3 innings in three spring starts, giving up two hits and four walks while striking out 13. The changeup has been a big part of it for Holmes, who knows he will have to utilize multiple pitches in a way he never had to as a reliever.

¡°Just trying to get some miles on it, see where it's at, really,¡± Holmes said. ¡°It¡¯s been good in the bullpen and it¡¯s been good early on, but just to feel it in game speed, feel in different scenarios, it was good.¡±

With two or three spring starts remaining before the season begins, Holmes will have the opportunity to challenge his arm in terms of pitch count in a way he never has before. He faced 15 batters Sunday, but next outing he should be able to turn a lineup over twice, giving him a third look at some hitters.

Each time out presents a chance for Holmes to continue learning his new role, one that will be crucial to the Mets¡¯ early-season success with Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas opening the year on the injured list.

¡°I¡¯m doing a little more than just throwing sinkers,¡± Holmes said. ¡°Reading swings, kind of seeing what they're doing; as I start to stretch out and see guys multiple times, it's going to really allow me just to get a feel for the starting role in that aspect.¡±