John Maine locks up spot in rotation

John Maine will have to wait until the second series, in Atlanta, to take the mound. But he's the No. 4 starter in title only. Maine's stellar spring continued when he blanked the Orioles for six innings Monday while surrendering just one hit - a third-inning single to Nick Markakis - in the Mets' 1-0 win.

Maine had lost a 10-inning scoreless streak in his last outing when he gave up a first-inning homer to Cleveland's Jason Michaels, but he now has a better streak building: 10-2/3 scoreless innings. He also owns a 1.78 Grapefruit League ERA. "You want to pitch well, but the bottom line is you're getting ready for the season," Maine said. Continue