The Mets (53-61) beat the D-Backs (52-63) by a score of 6-4 to avoid being swept. The Mets were 2-7 on this recent west coast trip.
Oliver Perez was his usual self. 5.1 IP, 1 ER 7 SO. Which is OK, especially the 7 SO. But what kicked him out of the game was the walks. Ollie had 6 walks yet again. That’s the reason he couldn’t finish the 6th inning. How can he walk so many batters? It kills me. If he were to limit the walks he could be a superstar. Every time he comes out of the game, I say to myself “Wait, we actually have 3 years left of this guy?”
Pedro Feliciano who actually got the win was unable to keep the lead. He let both inherited runners score, at Sean Green’s expense. Although Feliciano did keep a runner from scoring by making a great throw to tag the runner at the plate. It didn’t seem important then, but had that runner scored the D-Backs would have led 4-3, instead it was tied 3-3 after seven.
Francisco Rodriguez blew another got the save, but yet again gave up another run. His velocity is not there. I’m getting a little worried about him. His fastball is in the high 80′s, low 90′s. He is not allowing Mets fans to relax.
The good news was the offense. The Mets scored three in the sixth thanks to two wild pitches by Jon Garland. Even though the pitching gave the lead away the Mets quickly got the lead back with a couple of 2 out hits in the eighth. First, Luis Castillo drove in Fernando Tatis to take the lead, then Cory Sullivan added some insurance with his own RBI triple. That was Sullivan’s second triple of the day. His 4th in 20 games he’s played in this year.
Sullivan has done a great job in that lead off spot. Hopefully Jerry goes with the hot hand, and continues to play him.
In the top of the ninth with David Wright on 3rd and Jeff Francoeur on first, Fernando Tatis struck out, but the ball got passed Miguel Montero, which allowed David Wright to score.
The D-Backs played like the Mets did in game one. Sloppy. Errors, lazy defense, etc. It’s nice to see it from the opposing team, and not just the Mets.
The Mets head home to face the Giants at 7:10 on Friday. Bobby Parnell will get his 2nd career start against Barry Zito.
Ollie failed to follow-up a good performance with a second one. He was mediocre putting himself in constant danger. As a positive, he held the line to keep the runs from pouring in. As usual, he needs to do better.
Cory Sullivan stepped up big time. How long has it been since we’ve seen 2 triples in a game from our leadoff hitter? Jerry better be keeping him in the leadoff slot indefinitely. Put Pagan out there as trade fodder.
Santos made plays that you expect from a great catcher. Put Schneider in that trade sack as well. He would be on the DL today if he tried to do what Santos did.
This game was mostly handed to us on a platter by the Snakes. But the team showed some fortitude in coming back and taking advantage of the opportunities that were given to them. They played more like the Mets than the Mats for a change. It’s the Snakes who filled the doormat role last night.
The D-Backs let us win that game. I liked that we tagged on some runs at the end, but if the D-Backs were showing the skills they had shown in the first two games we would have lost. Again. K-rod once again lets the lead off man get on and lets him score. Lucky that it was not that close this time. Next time it will be.