Reed did not pitch a complete game last year and averaged just over six innings a start.

Reed would have pitched a Game 7 if there had been one.

Despite the pain, Reed pitched seven-plus innings in the 3-1 victory.

After the strike, Reed was pitching well in the minor leagues (with an 8-4 record and a 3.17 earned-run average).

During the rest of the 1995 season in the majors, Reed did not pitch well.

"I was really expecting Reed would pitch to the pitcher."

But this season, Reed is pitching with even more precision, averaging just .8 walks per game.

Reed pitched five more innings that game with no walks, then worked 19 innings in spring training without a walk.

Reed has pitched well in big games before, and the Mets desperately need a strong performance from him.

Reed, meanwhile, had pitched his way out of jams in both the second and third.