John Maine did something last night that Mets fans haven’t seen much of in the past three weeks: he dominated a lineup. Maine overmatched the Twins in one of his strongest outings of the year, going 7.1 innings while only allowing 4 hits (all singles), and 1 run en route to his seventh win of the season. When a team is struggling as the Mets have been, a strong pitching performance could be the fire the team needs to turn things around. Maine’s ERA is currently 2.90, sixth in the National League.

The acquisition of John Maine has worked out well for the Mets. Maine came over to the Mets along with relief pitcher Jorge Julio for pitcher Kris Benson. Originally projected as a fourth starter in the Orioles system, Maine has proved that the Orioles scouts were wrong about him. While he was less than spectacular in nine starts as a member of the Orioles (2-4 with a 6.60 ERA), the Flushing air must have brought something out in him. Since joining the rotation in the middle of last season, Maine has gone 13-9 with a 3.25 ERA, which included a 26 scoreless inning streak. He’s also shown his ability to perform under pressure with a 1-0 record in the postseason and a 2.63 ERA.

This season, Maine has been one of the Mets’ most consistent starters, only allowing more than three runs in two of his fourteen starts. Maine was also the NL Pitcher of the month in April, going 4-0 with a 1.35 ERA. The Mets seem to follow his lead offensively as well, averaging just under nine runs a game in Maine’s seven wins and just two in his four losses.

Hopefully Jorge Sosa can follow up Maine’s stellar outing with one of his own. The Mets will need it tonight against Twins ace Johan Santana.