In arguably his best start of the season, Pedro Martinez exited after the fourth inning yesterday against the Rockies.  Martinez was cruising into the fourth when he walked Matt Holliday.  After Holliday walked Pedro began to stretch his shoulder, prompting manager Jerry Manuel and a trainer to make a visit to the mound.  After Manuel elected to leave Pedro in the game, he retired Garrett Atkins, then gave up a single to Brad Hawpe (his first hit allowed).  He finished the inning by getting Chris Iannetta to ground into a double play.

When Martinez was due to bat in the bottom of the fourth, he was replaced by pinch hitter Nick Evans.  Although Pedro was replaced, he intended on going out in for the top of the fifth. 

“Jerry just kept saying no,” Martinez said. “Finally, Dan Warthen came over and agreed with Jerry, and it was two against one. So I said OK.”

The official word on Martinez is he had stiffness in his right shoulder due to a overcompensating because of a sore groin (that he hurt in Philadelphia).  Manuel is saying with the All-Star break, that Martinez will not miss a start, but it’s something to keep an eye on.

Age and injuries have caught up with Pedro over the past few seasons, and should he miss extended time this hurts the Mets.  As well as the Mets have been playing, Martinez appeared to finally have found his groove, shutting down the Phillies last Monday, and doing the same yesterday against the Rockies.