Who could have believed that a lineup that is so wrought with injuries and filled mostly with backups and backups to backups could pull of what the Mets did last night!
The Mets set a new franchise record by getting 10 hits in the fourth inning, a first in franchise history. Wow…
The Mets had seven singles, two doubles and a stolen base in that inning. Both Luis Castillo and Gary Sheffield had two hits each in the inning, with Sheffield getting two extra-base hits, something that hadn’t been done since Jeromy Burnitz last did it in 2003. Oh and by the way, the Mets beat the Braves 9-4.
The Mets batted around sending fourteen players to the plate and the only player not to get a hit was Daniel Murphy, who made two of the three outs. Heck, even Ollie got himself a hit…
The Mets scored eight runs in the record setting inning and then tacked on a ninth run in the the seventh inning when Jeff Francoeur doubled and scored on a Fernando Tatis single.
Luis Castillo, Gary Sheffield and the sizzling hot and suddenly reborn Jeff Francoeur, each had three hits in the game.
You really have to cherish games and moments like this especially when they occur in such a downer of a season. I’m very proud of the strong effort and the amazing fight the Mets still have in spite of all the adversity.
As for the pitching, Oliver Perez started and lasted five innings allowing four earned runs on five hits including two mammoth homeruns.One bright note was that he only walked one batter, which can only mean he’ll walk six on Sunday. And that’s IF he pitches on Sunday at all. Ollie hurt his knee covering first base, but stayed in the game. However he complained of knee pain to reporters afterward. Such is life for the 2009 Mets.
The bullpen did a great job as Brian Stokes, Elmer Dessens and Pedro Feliciano combined to pitch four scoreless innings.
This game was all about the offense though. Luis Castillo was the only player in the lineup that was in our opening day lineup. How sick and insane is that?
Great job guys…
In a season full of heartache, you managed to deliver a satisfying and memorable win.
I was so surprised when I turned on the TV and saw the score. 8-4 in the 5th inning. I was like really? Did derek lowe get injured or something?? I mean, I seriously have ZERO faith in this team or the ability to put together something like that. Sorry, but thats just reality.
Pagan’s liner to Lowe’s glove hand did him in. It was a little painful for him.
Plus Lowe was gased. He threw around 30 pitches in 2/3 inning
It was good to finally see some life in this team. I think we really got something with this kid Francoeur. The more I’m seeing of him, the more I’m liking what I see.He missed two homeruns last night. Both those doubles were off the top of the wall.
It was great to see the offense come alive and take advantage of opportunity. You have to give them credit for hanging in there and accomplishing the offensive onslaught. Extra great that it was against the Braves and Lowe. Unfortunately, Ollie continued his mediocre ways and was fortunate to get bailed out by the pen.
The downer for me on this game, was Jerry Manuel’s post game interview. Jerry was unable to rise to the occasion and compliment his players. You think he could have said something about Sheff’s 2 extra base hits in 1 inning, the 3 hits by Sheff, Frenchy, and Castillo, the offensive contributions of Tatis in David’s absence and Santos’ and Hernandez’ share of contibution. But no, he said something that to the effect these kinds of offensive explosions tend to come and go. Rather than compliment his players, he effectively said not to expect it again. Wow, what a slap at his own players at the wrong time. This shows us Jerry has been beaten down by this season’s experience and cannot rise to the occasion. He needs to be replaced!
Thats pretty lousy – because even we, as fans, know that they are far and few between but are smart enough to enjoy them for the moment.
Basically thats all we have the rest of this year, just look for a few good things here and there. Its no longer about W/L’s.