4
2009
Last Call At Citi Field; Mets Sweep Astros 4-0
An article by 
Like a wounded prizefighter hoping to get one last chance at the title, the Mets fought their way through a difficult 2009 season. They kept getting pushed aside, beaten down and left for dead. The season might have ended much earlier than Mets fans expected (like July), but at least the Mets gave the hearty fans in attendance for this final series at Citi Field something to smile about.
Nelson Figueroa’s best pitching performance in a Mets uniform and Angel Pagan’s perfect day at the plate helped the Mets finish the season on an up note. Today’s 4-0 victory completed a sweep of the equally disappointing Houston Astros and helped the Mets avoid their first under 70-win season since 2003, although it might have been somewhat appropriate had the Mets finished the season with 69 wins as one final (unwanted) tribute to the ’69 Mets.
On a beautiful day at Citi Field, Nelson Figueroa took the hill and was masterful from start to finish. In pitching his first career complete-game shutout, Figgy allowed only four hits and did not walk a batter. He also struck out seven Astros while throwing 113 pitches.
Angel Pagan was equally impressive, going 4-for-4 with a single, two doubles and a triple. The four-hit game boosted his average to .306. He also showed his tender side when he politely brought the ball to Astros’ catcher Humberto Quintero as he slid across home plate with one of the two runs he scored on the day. (see photo below for Pagan’s peace offering to Quintero)
Not to be forgotten was the three hit day by catcher Josh Thole. His two singles and one double raised his average to .321 after his September call-up. He showed that he could hit the ball to all fields and made good contact, as shown by his low strikeout total (only five strikeouts in 53 at-bats).
With the victory, the Mets finished the season with a 70-92 record. Truth be told, even without all the injuries, this team was probably not going to compete with the Phillies for the division title. However, if they could just bottle up the good pitching and hitting from this weekend series against the Astros, perhaps 2010 can serve up a few more happy recaps.
Tomorrow’s game will start 182 days from now when the 2010 season opens up at Citi Field on April 5. Thanks to all the readers for making this season tolerable with all your comments and support. I leave you with a short poem. Happy recaps to all and to all a good night!
Two years ago in the season finale
The Mets fell short with nary a rally
When we Shea’d goodbye in 2008
The Marlins returned to seal the Mets’ fate
It’s been a year since Shea was razed to the ground
But with playoff hopes gone, no choke could be found
At least this year’s finale produced not a weep
As Angel and Nelson came through for the sweep!
About the Author: Ed Leyro
Ed Leyro was hatched in the Bronx, but spent most of his youth in Queens at Shea Stadium. Apparently, all that time spent at Mets games paid off as Ed met his wife (The Coop) for the first time at Citi Field during its inaugural season. Guess the 2009 season was good for something after all. In addition to his work at Mets Merized Online, Ed also owns, operates and is head janitor at Studious Metsimus, where he shares blogging duties with Joey Beartran. For those not in the know, Joey is a teddy bear dressed in a Mets hoodie. Clearly, Studious Metsimus is not your typical Mets blog.
8 Comments + Add Comment
NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationals | 26 | 18 | .591 | - |
| Braves | 26 | 20 | .565 | 1.0 |
| Mets | 24 | 21 | .533 | 2.5 |
| Marlins | 24 | 21 | .533 | 2.5 |
| Phillies | 23 | 23 | .500 | 4.0 |
Last updated: 05/25/2012
Recent Comments
- Metstheory22: on Mets Promote Jack Egbert From Buffalo, Option Robert Carson To Binghamton: Is that why Acosta has been here...
- Des: on Mets Promote Jack Egbert From Buffalo, Option Robert Carson To Binghamton: Metsie -- Interesting insight by you. ...
- Metsie: on Mets Promote Jack Egbert From Buffalo, Option Robert Carson To Binghamton: actually what I think they were doing...
- Mr North Jersey: on Mets @ Padres: Starting Lineup, Game Preview: You to Alex. If you see my...
- Alex68: on Mets @ Padres: Starting Lineup, Game Preview: LGM!!!!!!!!!!!!! Evryone enjoy your weekend!! Including My...
Write Your Own Mets Post
Ed, You’re not Alfred Lord Tennyson, but nice poem nevertheless!
WooHoo! The Mets end the season with a sweep! Is it because they turned the corner? Is it because Jerry Manuel’s upheaval speech embarrased them into fighting to hold their jobs? Nah, odds are it’s because the Astros stink!
Anyway, Figueroa pitched an excellent game and showed perhaps he should be retained for next year, most likely as the long man out of the pen and spot starter. Angel Pagan also made a big play to show he’s real… and just maybe he is, if he can avoid bungleitis.
Now, I have a job to do here. The season is over and it was dreadful, although we ended with somewhat of a high point. The GOLDEN HORNS award needs to be presented and the winner is:
MIKE PELFREY – By winning 7 individual GOAT awards Mike disappointed and did not live up to the expectations placed upon him as the #2 starter. Hopefully, mgmt obtains a bonfide #2 during the offseason and, with more work and a better coach, Mike will be able to excel as the #3 in 2010.
Next up comes the award for GOLDEN HORNS RUNNER UP and that honor goes to:
BOBBY PARNELL – With 6 individual GOAT awards, Bobby placed as RUNNER UP and demonstrated that he is not ready and may never be ready to be a starter. However, with work and some additional pitches he may be able to be a solid pitcher out of the pen. There have been some rumors lately that Bobby has turned down assignment in winter ball because of fatigue. Say that isn’t so Bobby.
Finally, we have the award for DISHONORABLE MENTION, and we have a tie, with the award going to:
PAT MISCH and KROD – PAT MISCH garnered 4 GOAT awards, but made a good showing late in the season with 3 wins, all of which were very good performances. With those wins, Pat has demonstrated that he may indeed have the ability to return in 2010, if not as a starter at least out of the pen. And then there is FRANKIE RODRIGUEZ! Oh Frankie, you couldn’t leave well enough alone, could you! You had to implode in a devastating way against the Nats. What is it with you? Are you injured? Are you bored? Do you just stink? In any event, it is inexcusable, and by virute of your high expectations and low level of achievement, by virtue of my personal discretion, I award you sole possession of DISHONORABLE MENTION. By virtue of your FAILURE TO GET THE JOB DONE, I take Pat Misch off the hook and give you the SPECIAL DISHONOR. You will have to prove to Mets fans that you were not another Omar mistake like Ollie and Putz. SHAPE UP BEFORE SPRING TRAINING!
Following are the individual game GOAT award winners:
GOATS for the 2nd Half are: Parnell, Pelfrey, Cora, Perez, Pelfrey, Santana, Niese, Green, Pelfrey, Pagan, KRod, LHernandez, KRod, Parnell, Pagan, LHernandez, KRod, LHernandez, Parnell, Tatis, Misch, Perez, Parnell, Murphy, Pelfrey, Stokes, Parnell, Pelfrey, Stokes, Pagan, Redding, Misch, Parnell, Tatis, Valdez, Murphy, Misch, Murphy, Figueroa, Pelfrey, Misch, Wright, Pelfrey, Maine, Wright, AHernandez, KRod.
GOAT Repeaters: Pelfrey(7), Parnell(6), Misch (4), KRod(4), Pagan(3), LHernandez(3), Murphy(3), Perez(2), Stokes(2), Tatis(2), Wright(2).
GOAT Singletons: Cora, Santana, Niese, Green, Redding, Valdez, Figueroa,
Maine, AHernandez.
That’s it for the GOAT story! Hopefully, the new GM picks up some new quality players and the team gets off on the right foot in 2010. If that can actually happen, there will be no need for GOAT reports next season. Good luck to all and LETS GO METS!
I’m going to miss your goat awards for the next sixth months. Can we have some during the winter meetings in December?
Also, I’m glad I’m not Alfred Lord Tennyson because then I’d be dead.
Ed, I’m sure I’ll be chiming in with comments about whatever deals are made by the GM (I refuse to say Omar). And sure enough, one thing we don’t want to do is mimick dead people very faithfully!
I too, will be missing your GOAT awards.Pelfry deserved the award, and hopefully he will be playing elsewhere next season. I’m glad the season is finally over. I look forward to what will the offseason bring, and hopefully it will bring us a new GM.
Thanks Ace. I enjoyed your comments. We seem to be on the same side of the issues in just about every case. Good luck during the offseason and hopefully the Mets have a resurgence following the appointment of that new GM we’re expecting.
This season is a reminder that to be a loyal Mets fan you have to be prepared for disaster. Following the Mets for the last forty years has been like riding a rollercoaster, you have your ups and downs and the thrill of getting to the top just to find out that the drop is going to leave you breathless…but certainly there is hope that someday we will have a season like the 69 Mets or the 86 Mets…one common factor in this two winning teams was that we had pitching and that was the winning card. If we don’t come up with at least three top of the line pitchers for next season, we will probably end like we did this year…so lets hope we can trade for some outstanding pitchers to help Santana take us to the promise land…till next year…Lets go Mets.
Well done on the poem! Even though the season was bittersweet, it’s sad that another Mets season has come to an end. This site is one of the enjoyable parts of the season for me. I hope the hot stove season brings some desired changes and hope for a better 2010 season with more happy recaps than sad ones.
Did Figgy earn a rotation spot?