Game Recap: Reds 7 -- Mets 1
The revenge of Jeff Keppinger.
The Reds pounded out 14 hits in the nightcap, after knocking 15 earlier in the day, and beat up on the Mets bullpen, scoring five in the late innings to put them up 7-1 and earn a split of the doubleheader for the day.
The best part of the game, at least for the Mets, was the way Mike Pelfrey pitched. Pelfrey allowed only two earned runs on eight hits through six innings. Pelfrey was in control, only walking one while striking out three.
Very, very good start from him. Allowed a bunch of hits, but really limited the damage all game. He really didn't deserve the loss here. Good start from him, which is good to see from him as he's been struggling a bit of late. Very happy with this.
Single runs bookended Pelfrey's start, as a Ken Griffey Jr. single in the first drove in one run and a Scott Hatteberg double in the sixth chased home the other run for the Reds charged to him.
Dusty Baker took a chance starting Hatteberg, who had been batting well under the Mendoza line coming into the day, and he answered by driving in three. Figures it's against the Mets.
The Mets were shut down by Bronson Arroyo who had his most dominant start of the year. Arroyo only allowed four hits through eight innings, and didn't allow a baserunner from the fifth inning on. New York scratched out their only run in the third inning when David Wright singled to drive in Jose Reyes.
Arroyo looked like classic Arroyo. What a dominating start from him, especially since he's struggled all year. Great performance from him, and again, figures it's against the Mets.
The Reds got to both Duaner Sanchez and Billy Wagner for multiple runs to put the game out of reach. In the 8th, back-to-back singles from Hatteberg and Paul Bako each drove in a run each. Wagner allowed three runs, all unearned, after two straight errors from the Mets. Wright had a fielding error and Carlos Delgado committed a throwing error.
Ex-Met Keppinger went 5-5 on the day, picking up his fifth hit with an RBI single in the 9th. Hatteberg picked up his third RBI with a sacrifice fly to left. Bako added another run with an RBI single to the right side.
I really hate to see key bullpen pitchers come in when the Mets aren't leading, and I really really hate to see them get roughed up. Why not burn a guy like Joe Smith, especially if he might get sent down very soon? I don't get that thinking.
Game Ball: Pelfrey
The Reds pounded out 14 hits in the nightcap, after knocking 15 earlier in the day, and beat up on the Mets bullpen, scoring five in the late innings to put them up 7-1 and earn a split of the doubleheader for the day.
The best part of the game, at least for the Mets, was the way Mike Pelfrey pitched. Pelfrey allowed only two earned runs on eight hits through six innings. Pelfrey was in control, only walking one while striking out three.
Very, very good start from him. Allowed a bunch of hits, but really limited the damage all game. He really didn't deserve the loss here. Good start from him, which is good to see from him as he's been struggling a bit of late. Very happy with this.
Single runs bookended Pelfrey's start, as a Ken Griffey Jr. single in the first drove in one run and a Scott Hatteberg double in the sixth chased home the other run for the Reds charged to him.
Dusty Baker took a chance starting Hatteberg, who had been batting well under the Mendoza line coming into the day, and he answered by driving in three. Figures it's against the Mets.
The Mets were shut down by Bronson Arroyo who had his most dominant start of the year. Arroyo only allowed four hits through eight innings, and didn't allow a baserunner from the fifth inning on. New York scratched out their only run in the third inning when David Wright singled to drive in Jose Reyes.
Arroyo looked like classic Arroyo. What a dominating start from him, especially since he's struggled all year. Great performance from him, and again, figures it's against the Mets.
The Reds got to both Duaner Sanchez and Billy Wagner for multiple runs to put the game out of reach. In the 8th, back-to-back singles from Hatteberg and Paul Bako each drove in a run each. Wagner allowed three runs, all unearned, after two straight errors from the Mets. Wright had a fielding error and Carlos Delgado committed a throwing error.
Ex-Met Keppinger went 5-5 on the day, picking up his fifth hit with an RBI single in the 9th. Hatteberg picked up his third RBI with a sacrifice fly to left. Bako added another run with an RBI single to the right side.
I really hate to see key bullpen pitchers come in when the Mets aren't leading, and I really really hate to see them get roughed up. Why not burn a guy like Joe Smith, especially if he might get sent down very soon? I don't get that thinking.
Game Ball: Pelfrey
Comments
"I really hate to see key bullpen pitchers come in when the Mets aren't leading, and I really really hate to see them get roughed up. Why not burn a guy like Joe Smith, especially if he might get sent down very soon? I don't get that thinking."
I don't understand THAT thought process, what is that "key bullpen pitchers" - aren't they ALL key? With that thought process those that struggle should ONLY come in in a lose lose situation, to make matters worse and the boo birds sing? No way.....I won't buy that one.
They said they brought Wagner in because he hasn't pitched in a while.......now, aren't you glad he had a bad outing when we were already losing a game instead of BLOWING a win?
I'm sorry I don't mean to sound harse, but seriously "Key bullpen pitchers". 25 team players win together and 25 team players lose together.....
Posted by: Kay | May 10, 2008 10:47 PM
that was a tough game to watch. there were 4 starters out of it and reyes is feeling under the weather, but still it was ugly.
btw i'm starting to question sandy's ability to coach third base...he stranded wright pretty good early on.
Posted by: nate | May 10, 2008 10:49 PM
ok i just got back from this disaster and here's my problem.... bronson was coming into the game with a 8 era. now i know he has pitched well vs. the mets before but he stinks this year and i hate it when we make a below average pitcher look like the next coming of sandy koufax. we've seen this too many times in the past. here's another problem, this is why u can't have an old team. you have to treat alou and castillo's playing time like that of a starting catcher, can't play both games of a double header and can't play a day game following a night game. ken griffey jr. who's an injury waiting to happen played both games. willie needs to watch alou and castillos playing time. and the point about the bullpen.... just get outs, that's all i ask for. just give me a scoreless inning.keep me in the game. i don't care who's pitching, just get the job done.
Posted by: Miguel | May 10, 2008 11:56 PM
Key = 8th and 9th inning guys.
I don't see what's so hard to get about that. Instead of middle relief guys, these are the ones we hand the reigns to when it's late and close.
Posted by: Andrew Vazzano [TheRopolitans.com] | May 11, 2008 12:56 AM
This is like the 7th or 8th time Willie used Wagner on a non save, and the majority of the time he gets lit up. Wagner admitted back in 2005 that he hates those situations.
Posted by: kevin | May 11, 2008 01:36 AM
By the way I just read Miguel's comments and I totally agree!
Posted by: kevin | May 11, 2008 01:39 AM
Ok my biggest problem with the second game was the starting line up. How in the world do you sit a bunch of players that just a few hours before put 12 up on the board?
Ok I know some of them are older but at least let them start and take them out half way through. Let us get on the board early and then have the bench become the late inning back bone they may need.
Hey can someone get the stats on the team batting average of the first game compared the the second? Those are some numbers I really want to see.
Posted by: Jwood | May 11, 2008 01:34 PM
Andrew - the only "key" pitcher that is set in stone is Wagner in the 9th, there is no definiative 8th inning guy yet. Wagner hadn't pitched in a while and was getting stale and I don't care if we have the lead or not, if he needs work he should be able to come in and not let anyone score. I think its an "excuse" to say he only has meltdowns when he comes in situations that he doesn't like.
We have posts here that say Willie needs a spine, but yet in the same breath we have some saying why bring Wagner in whey he doesn't "Like" that situation. Either Willie runs the team or he doesn't.
JWOOD - As far as why change the line up? Why expend your guys against the Reds in early MAY. We won the series, and if we contine to win series we'll be in great shape. Church was not feeling good and asked to sit the 2nd game. The TV panned over to him and he looked Green (no pun intended), so why push it now? We need EVERYONE for the long haul. Its Not a Sprint!
Posted by: Kay | May 12, 2008 07:39 AM