Dessens Demolished, Mets Lose 5-2

Game Notes

Mike Pelfrey was about as good as you can get today and had nothing to show for it. Pelf went seven innings, allowing one earned run and another unearned, giving up five hits, striking out four and walking zero. The gameplan was in place all game and he executed it, locating masterfully.

Pedro Feliciano came out in the eighth inning and after a mid-season stumble, has regained form. He has allowed two runs in 12 2/3 innings in September, walking two. Elmer Dessens came out to relieve Feliciano and gave up a hit to Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla, then a three run shot to Gaby Sanchez. That is the downside of the Mets bullpen, because the top right-handed option throws 89 to 90 MPH with the injury to Bobby Parnell. Truly a shame when Pelfrey pitches great, and the offense can’t muster up four runs.

The offense put together hits today, but the hits didn’t amount to much other then GIDP’s and other RISP-deficient ailments. Lucas Duda absolutely crushed his second career home run, sending it deep into the right field bleachers. In the eighth inning, David Wright tied the game with an opposite field blast, his 25th of the season. Only scoring two runs on eleven hits is pretty inept.

Angel Pagan, 0-4 with none of the balls struck particularly well.

Jose Reyes, 1-2 with two walks. Patience is a virtue.

Wright, Davis, Duda, Tejada were 9-14 with two RBI. Good contributions.

Josh Thole’s 0-3 was the only thing wrong in the four thru eight part of the batting order.

Beltran, 1-2 with two K’s. Beginning to think him batting third is hurting the team, then that him starting is hurting the team, then that him being on the team is hurting the team. Does that make me evil?

As I mentioned, David hit his 25th home run. Although only nine are at home, the 16 on the road do show that David’s bat still has its pop. His K-rate has also slowed and it is highly unlikely he will reach his record-pace K total and wind up in the 160 range. While still a 20 K up tick from last year and 42 from the year before, its almost an expected part of his evolution from doubles-power with some pop to home run threat. Sadly, his ability to not suck this year is one of the best stories of 2010. His defense, is another story.

Turning Point

Gaby Sanchez impaling an Elmer Dessens fastball into left field for a three run blast.

Game Ball

None today. End of the season. As far as i’m concerned, there isn’t much of a reason to congratulate anyone for anything short of a milestone.

On Deck

The Mets will look to take the win tomorrow, sending Jonathon Niese to the mound against Alex Sanabia. Sanabia was good in his last outing versus the Mets, and Jonathon Niese has been…unpredictable since August 26th.