Mets fall short of a comeback as they lose their third straight game to the Giants, 8-4. Hisanori Takahashi had a poor start for the Mets, while Ike Davis hit two long home runs, however, the Mets came up short in a ninth inning rally. With the loss, the Mets fall behind the Phillies in the NL East race to third place.
Game Summary
Hisanori Takahashi probably needs to be back in the bullpen where he has shown that he is a reliable seventh and even eighth inning man. Since his start against the Yankees, he hasn’t shown that he can keep the Mets in the game. He gave up six runs on seven hits including two home runs in just 2.2 innings pitched. He walked one and struck out two batters. Takahashi is a bullpen guy and the Mets need a replacement starting pitcher. Possibly a trade, possibly bringing up Pat Misch, maybe bringing up Oliver Perez?! It’s a possibility.
Fernando Nieve came in to aid the ailing Takahashi and pitched 1.1 scoreless innings, and stuck out two. Haven’t seen Nieve pitch much lately, maybe Manuel is giving him all of the rest he didn’t get in April.
Raul Valdes pitched 2.1 innings in relief. Less emphasis on the relief, however. He gave up two runs on three hits, walked one and struck out three. Francisco Rodriguez pitched his first game in three days. “He needs the work.” He pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning, striking out two batters.
Carlos Beltran and Ike Davis provided most of the offense in the game. Beltran went 2-4 with his first triple and a run scored. Ike Davis also had a two hit night, belting a pair of long homeruns. He picked up three RBIs and scored two runs. When he hits homeruns, he really hits ‘em. The first one went into McCovey Cove, while the second one went to straight center. This is Ike’s second two homer game of the season. His first time was also against the Giants.
David Wright, Josh Thole, and Chris Carter each had a hit. Wright went 1-3 with an RBI, while Thole and Carter both had pinch hit singles.
Ruben Tejada continues to be a target for pitchers as he got plunked in the shoulders during the ninth inning. That is his sixth hit-by-pitch this season.
Interesting note: At one point Matt Cain was standing on third. I wonder if Wright and Cain had a conversation about Cain plunking him in the head last year that sent him to the hospital.
Turning Point
The Buster Posey solo home run in the third inning was the big blow that pushed the Giants too far for the Mets to comeback.
Game Ball
Ike Davis hit two huge homeruns and knocked in three of the Mets runs tonight.
Up Next
Johan Santana looks to avoid the sweep as he will be going up against Jonathon Sanchez. Both pitchers are looking for their eighth win of the season. Should be a good lefty vs. lefty match up. Game time is 4:05 PM.
Takahashi is doing great…no need for another front-of-the-rotation pitcher!!!!
Dave you didn’t write anything about the (3) balls that got by Beltran in the outfield. I thought Beltran’s outfield play tonight was poor. Certainly, very un-Beltran like to say the least. The speed is there. Beltran is running well. Friday night Beltran almost stole a base on a botched-hit-and-run and tonight he easily legged out a triple.
On those three plays in the outfield it seemed as though Beltran was not “going 100% full speed” after the balls. It’s frustrating. And please all you un-sophisticated dopey people don’t bother responding to me stating I am a bashing Beltran. Your just not bright enough to understand my point.
In 3 weeks after Beltran is back to running full speed into gaps and sliding in the outfield to cut off would be doubles or triples we’ll hear Beltran say something like, “Yeah, when I first came back I was feeling really tentative, afraid to run hard and test the knee. Now I know I can run hard every play and the knee will be fine.”
This is what drives me so batty about Beltran! He should have been “testing out” running full speed while playing outfield during his “rehab assignment.” Beltran and his baby-steps.
Maybe after all is said and done Beltran could wind up in RF and Pagan back in CF. I don’t think they’re exactly buddy, buddy. This is a different team than before the All-Star break and I would have to see it run on all cylinders first before passing judgment. This is time-wide slump with a lineup (except Reyes tonight) that we are going to war with so they are going to have to fight through this offensive slump, there is no other way out.
The team needs the shortstop back badly.As far as Beltran and Pagan disliking each other where did that come from?How come on the Mets the fans love to talk politics constantly this clouds the true issues.The team needs our shortstop back period.The team needs to pick up his option for next year after the season and yes for now the Frenchman sits.
I understand ur point on Beltran but it did take reyes a few weeks to get his legs back. it doesn’t mater that he was in single a but he does need to be given some time, as was for Jose in April.
I like Misch and he deserves a shot. he has been pitching very well and if he can give us 6 or 7 innings of 2 or 3 run baseball i’ll take it. he did well last year but they keep skipping over him as an option. if the team decides to go with oli the next turn around I into be very happy, knowing we have better options available at no cost. perez has one more start left on his rehab assignment and if Misch does well we can use him as trade bait for some other deal. regardless of that, Taka belongs in the pen.or even give nieve a chance to start with a couple of days of notice
Yeah I am hoping that’s the case Andy. As a matter of fact I think Beltran will be fine once he feels confident running full speed without risk. Maybe it’s the “slowing down” and coming to a stop after running full speed that prevented Beltran from going after those three balls last night. Beltran did play three games in a row, that in itself is encouraging and offensively he’s making good contact. But Beltran is so super sensitive that I think playing RF would somehow psychologically hinder his progress. He just needs to play through this I guess.
Arghh… we all knew this was going to happen. Frustrating super talent. But he’s OUR frustrating super sensitive super talent and he’s BACK!
Guys we just need Reyes back and then we will start winning again
One of mt first posts of the season was that the Mets wee a 500 club. Halfway through I’ll stick to that. I was excoriated for that comment and expect the same this time. You tell me where my analysis is faulty, especially when you consider the fact that this team cannot score runs and hold the other team. There is no other team in baseball hat dsappoints year after year other than the Cubs. The small market teams have fans that expect the best from the players realizing the market their in. We are not Pittsburgh or Kansas City.
I think the Mets are a slightly better than .500 team. In March I picked them at 86-76 finishing 3rd behind Braves and missing the play-offs. But here is the thing. I thought Perez would win 10-12 games, Beltran would be back by May and Bay would be providing much more power numbers. I had no idea that a just over .500 record would be good enough to contend for the division lead and/or a wild card spot. We have a legit shot at winning the division or wild card. In all honesty It’s turning out to be a better year then I had hoped for. I am still very optimistic!
‘Am not feelin’ it!
Hey. Anyone interested in rekindling the,
“Should Daniel Murphy be the Mets 1st baseman”
******silence***** birds chirping****air-conditioner humming****
I didn’t think so.
[...] The big news for Met fans on Saturday night was the fact that the team’s scoreless streak FINALLY came to an end. Seeing Carlos Beltran leg out a triple and Ike Davis plunking his home run into the Cove to drive him home, was a beautiful thing. Too bad the Mets were already buried in a 6-run hole that they couldn’t overcome. Ike hits the Cove… Ike's home run trot. [...]