Not a normal thing to see when a pitcher gives up three runs in 2 2-3 innings on the mound, but for Johan Santana, it was all about how he felt.
Ben Shpigel relays a quote:
“To be my first time and my first time being in a real game — a real game situation — it felt pretty good,” Santana said.I like it.
Lenny Neslin was getting on me in the comments of a previous post as to why I am pleased, even if Santana didn't pitch very well. On one hand, of course it's not good to see him giving up runs, but for his first time on the mound, it's not terrible. (Tim Redding is a different case entirely.)
For Santana, who was struggling with injuries, it's good just to get him on the mound and in a game. The results don't quite matter, as it was nothing absurd (again, not like Redding) and it's all about how his arm feels.