Fatigue not a factor in Mejia's struggles
DENVER -- Jenrry Mejia sailed through four scoreless innings Saturday night, allowing three singles and enjoying a 6-0 lead. But he was gone after 4 1/3 innings when he gave up eight runs in the fifth, including Nolan Arenado's grand slam that put the Rockies ahead 8-6 and finished Mejia after 66 pitches.
Mejia threw just 19 pitches to the nine Rockies batters he faced in the fifth, and a batter reached base on each of his final five pitches. Before the game, manager Terry Collins spoke about the need for Mejia to get past the middle of a game and survive a third turn through a lineup. Collins is certain that fatigue is not a factor in Mejia's struggles in that area.
"He's the most conditioned pitcher -- and no disrespect to the other guys -- on that staff," Collins said. "He runs and runs and runs."