Cora is on the DL But Still Coming Up Big

Alex Cora is fulfilling a familiar role as a member of the New York Mets.

Back when he was part of the 2007 World Champion Red Sox, the veteran shortstop served as a mentor for Dustin Pedroia. The rookie second baseman was struggling monumentally in the early going  -- and his .172 batting average through May 1 proved it -- but he turned it around, due in large part to Cora's sage advice.

Cora has been on the disabled list since Aug. 18 with torn thumb ligaments, but that doesn't mean his purpose is diminished. It's just different, and Mike Pelfrey is a prime benefactor.

Cora spent Friday night's game talking things out in the dugout with the struggling starter, much to the joy of the Mets. According to the team's Web site, Pelfrey tends to need encouragement from teammates to stay focused.
"Sometimes, when Mike gets in trouble, he forgets who he is and how good he is," Cora told Mets.com. "I read the guy's qutoes. When a guy says, 'I stink, and, 'I feel sorry for my teammates,' I figure he's not being as positive as he needs to be."

Pelfrey -- who is currently 9-10 with a 5.03 ERA -- will take the hill against Chicago on Sunday, hoping to turn things around after giving up six hits and seven runs in four innings on Tuesday.

"He has so much going for him," Cora told the Web site. "I told him he's got five more starts, and he's good enough to win all five. That puts him at 14 wins. A lot of guys in this league want to win 14 games. 'Ninety-five [mph] with movement. Just throw pitches and get outs. You don't need to worry about strikeouts; get outs. Pitch to contact. Keep your pitches down and get to seven innings. This quality start thing [six innings and three or fewer runs allowed] isn't what you want. Go seven. Beat somebody.' I think he was listening."


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(nesn.com)