You win one, you lose one. Despite an eleven hit attack, the Mets failed to hit with runners on base, leading to a 5-2 loss to the Nats and dropping another series.

Jeremy Hefner got the start today and after a very long rain delay, the game finally got underway. After a lead-off single, Hefner was able to strand the runner to retire the side. His second inning involved another lead-off single, followed by a two-run homer from Danny Espinosa. Hefner allowed another two runs in the third on a lead-off single, followed by an RBI triple from Harper and then an RBI single by Ryan Zimmerman. He went unscathed in the fourth, but in the fifth he was tagged by a solo homer from Bryce Harper. Hefner ends the night with five runs against him on eight hits, a wild pitch, a hits batsman, two homers, no walks, and three strikeouts in five innings of work. He gets his fifth loss of the season, and sees his ERA rise to 5.11 on the season.

Hefner is now the sixth man in the rotation, and with R.A. Dickey going twice before him, Hefner will now start once every seven days. He will also be doing double duty as Terry Collins says that two or three games in between starts, he will be the long man out of the bullpen. It’s gotten to the point where guys are just auditioning for 2013. And with Santana possibly being shutdown, there could be more rookies on their way up. Jeremy Hefner is a busy man these days.

Manny Acosta pitched a perfect 1.1 innings with two strikeouts. Josh Edgin gets two outs with one hit allowed, while Bobby Parnell gets a one-two-three eighth inning.

Mets had eleven hits today, but only two runs. They left 10 men on base, and were only 1-for-11 with RISP. Not how you win ballgames.

Wright, Hairston, Turner, Shoppach, and Cedeno each had two hits today. Ronny Cedeno’s two hits included a double and a lead-off triple in the fifth inning, but the Mets couldn’t score him. Disgrace.

Mets got their first run in the sixth with a lead-off Ike Davis double, moved over to third on a Cedeno fly out, and then an RBI groundout from Jason Bay. Their second run came in the eighth with a two-out RBI from Shoppach.

Game Ball

Ronny Cedeno for two hits, including his first Mets triple, plus he played great defense today.

Notes

The Mets have only won one game in each of the last five series, and have only won one series since the second half began.

Up Next

Mets head home to host a four game series against the Colorado Rockies. This is the second and last time the Mets will play the Rockies this year, and is the first series with them at home. R.A. Dickey will start for the Mets and will go up against the 2-6 Alex White. First pitch set for 7:10 pm.

The post Mets Strand Ten And Drop Series After 5-2 Loss To Nats appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Johan Santana is still plundering. Santana did go perfect through the first three innings with nine up and nine down. However, the fourth inning was anything but perfect. After allowing three straight hits without recording an out, Michael Morse took Johan deep for a grand slam. He was trying to pitch Morse in, but it stayed out and he paid for it.

The fifth inning was no better, as Bryce Harper hit a two-run jack off Santana. After the fifth, that would be all for Johan. Two homeruns cause him to have six runs tagged on him in five innings pitched with seven hits, four strikeouts and no walks. There still must be something wrong with Johan. He missed all of last year, and just recently came off the DL with another injury. The Mets will never say it, but he must still be injured and it is really affecting his performance. Johan has dropped to 6-9 on the season, only the second time in his career that he has gone three games under .500. His ERA is now 4.85.

Manny Acosta pitched a scoreless two innings in relief, allowing one hit, and walking two batters. Ramon Ramirez pitched a hitless eighth inning with one strikeout.

Mets jumped on the board early with two in the first. After David Wright singled, and Scott Hairston came up with a double with two outs, Daniel Murphy knocked in Wright and Hariston scored right after him on a throwing error from Bryce Harper. Mets third run came in the sixth with a ground out RBI for Ronny Cedeno, and the fourth run came with a solo shot from the newest Met, Kelly Shoppach, in the seventh. Welcome to the team, bud!

Scott Hairston had three doubles tonight, which ties a club record. The last to do so, was Lucas Duda last year.

Mets are still welcoming in their new catcher, Kelly Shoppach, as he goes 1-for-4 tonight with a solo homer, and two strikeouts.

David Wright had two hits tonight and is hitting .322 on the season, while Jason Bay went 0-for-3 and is hitting .155.

Game Ball

Scott Hairston once more for his three doubles tonight.

Notes

A couple of days ago, the umpires had R.A. Dickey remove his bracelets. Today, Davey Johnson complained to the umpire about Johan’s Gold Glove emblem on his glove, so he had to pitch the rest of the game with duct tape over it. Umpires these days….

Up Next

Mets play the middle game of this three game series in D.C against the Nationals. Jon Niese (9-7, 3.67) goes head-to-head with Edwin Jackson (7-7, 3.74). First pitch set for 7:05 PM on WPIX and MLB Network. Let’s Go Mets!

The post Santana Surrenders Two Huge Blasts In 6-4 Loss To Nats appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Mets finally win their second straight game in July. Scott Hairston launches two, and Jason Bay touches the plate three times in a late night offensive battle against the Giants. Mets end up on top, 8-7 in ten innings.

Despite what the scoreboard says, Jeremy Hefner did well tonight. He just got pulled a couple batters too late. The game was tied at two entering the sixth inning, and Hefner strikes out the first batter to start it off right. He gives up back-to-back base hits to have runners on the corners. A run comes on a force out, and then two hits later, the second run follows. Other than that, he pitched pretty well. He’s had to pitch out of jams a couple times as he gave up two hits, but only allowed two scattered runs before the sixth. Either way, Hefner will still be starting until Santana returns. Hefner’s final distraught line ends up being: 5.2 innings pitched, four runs on ten hits, three walks and struck out five on 92 pitches. He gets a no decision.

The bullpen never rests with the Mets. Ramon Ramirez finished out the sixth inning after a walk. Tim Byrdak gives up a hit and strikes out two in his inning of work. Jon Rauch pitches a flawless one-two-three eighth inning on just seven pitches.

Mets first two runs in the fourth off a two-run double from Ronny Cedeno that knocked in Hairston and Bay. They would have to wait until the eighth inning to score again as Jordany Valdespin gets a lead-off, pinch-hit single, and then gets followed by a two-run homer from Scott Hairston to tie up the game, his thirteenth of the year. Yeah, I think we’ll keep him.

To continue their offensive inning, Ike gets hit by a pitch, then replaced Bay at first on a force play. Justin Turner comes up big with a two out, pinch-hit RBI double to give the Mets the lead again. Rob Johnson continues to play well since being called up again as he hits an RBI single to score Turner.

Things got uneasy in the ninth as Bobby Parnell came in to try to close it out…Immediately surrenders a hit and then an RBI double to Posey…Then after finally getting an out, with the tying run on third, Terry Collins pulled Parnell from the mound. Nightly bullpen antics.

Josh Edgin comes in and gives up an RBI double into right field after the ball deflects off Ike’s glove. We’re no longer in the days off Ike diving over railings to make a catch anymore. What a whiff. Edgin then strikes out Brandon Belt, walks a batter, gives up a single to former Met, Joaquin Arias. Finally the monster inning ends on a strikeout to Marco Scutaro.

Scott Hairston continues to show why the Mets highly value him as he hits his second homerun of the game in the tenth inning, now with fourteen dingers. Rob Johnson then knocked in Jason Bay on a fielder’s choice to get an insurance run.

Manny Acosta got the call to finish out the game. He walks the first batter, gets an out, walks the next batter, gets the second out, then gives up an RBI single, and then finally gets the last out with Valdespin making a nice catch in center field on the warning tracks. Never an easy night.

David Wright with one hit and two strikeouts. He’s trying to do too much. Ike Davis with the golden sombrero of four strikeouts. Jason Bay with one hit, three runs, two walks, a stolen base, and one strikeout.

Game Ball

Scott Hairston with two big homeruns, three RBIs and a stolen base on the night. Don’t leave us.

Notes

This is the first game the Mets are playing in San Francisco, and the former Giant, Andres Torres, got a standing ovation.

In the fifth inning, Andres Torres slid into first base to beat the play and avoid a tag. He got trampled by Bumgarner, and it looked to be Torres stubbed his right thumb on the ground in the collision. He seemed okay, and stayed in the game.

Mike Baxter is back! He had a hit in his one at bat.

There was speculation that the Mets could go after Geovany Soto from the Cubs. He was traded to the Rangers. Still no moves for the Mets.

Up Next

Matt Harvey gets his second career start and it’s up against former, two time Cy Young winner, Tim Lincecum (4-11, 5.88 ERA) and the Giants. First pitch is set for a late 10:15 PM. Let’s Go Mets!

The post Hairston and Bay Fuel 8-7 Win In Slugfest Against Giants. appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The Mets tried to keep the wins coming, but Jon Niese was no Matt Harvey out there. Despite two Mets homeruns, they were decimated in a 11-5 loss to the Arizona D-Backs

Jonathon Niese with one horrific inning, put up several unwanted numbers in his line tonight. The second inning started with a simple 6-3 ground out. That quickly turned to bases loaded with just the one out. Niese then walks former Met, Henry Blanco, for the first run, which was followed by an RBI single and then three runs scoring on the throwing error from Niese. After all the dust settled, six runs came across to score against Niese, and that inning would later become the difference in the game. A run in both the fourth and fifth inning, gave the D-Backs extra insurance as well.  Niese ends the night with eight runs, only six earned, on nine hits and one walk in six innings of work. Niese also struck out five, in his lengthy 113 pitch start.

The Mets bullpen didn’t fare much better in the name of Elvin Ramirez. One inning of relief, allowing three runs on four hits that really put the Mets away. Newly recalled Manny Acosta pitched a one-two-three inning with a strikeout.

Mets had more offense than they are used to this second half with the big blow coming from a three-run homerun from David Wright in the third inning. His sixteenth of the season with 70 RBIs on the season.

Ike Davis also had a homerun in the second inning, a solo shot to right field. His seventeenth of the season, and he now has 57 RBIs, despite just a .207 average.

The only two-hit night from the Mets, belongs to the hot bat of Ruben Tejada.

Jason Bay and Josh Thole had the only 0-fers, combining 0-for-8 on the night.

Notes

David Wright now with 795 career RBIs, tying J.D. Drew on MLB’s all-time list.

Game Ball

David Wright who doesn’t ever seem to give up.

Up Next

Chris Young tries to prevent another lost series as he faces the Diamondbacks’ Ian Kennedy. First pitch set for 8:10 PM.

The post Niese Shelled As Mets Stumble 11-5 To D-Backs appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

It seems like the first two games in Chicago are just a blimp on the Mets memories these days as they continue to knock around the Dodgers. After a close game on Thursday, the Mets went back to one-sided ball games with an offensive explosion and another great start from R.A. Dickey.

R.A. Dickey continues to put up big bids on being the All-Star Game starter, and tonight is no different. He even teased us with another one-hitter. His first hit given up was in the third inning to pitcher Aaron Harang, arguably because Andres Torres was lackadaisical going after the ball. Dickey wouldn’t give up another hit until the seventh inning that ruined the one-hitter. He pitched masterfully the whole game but was pulled for a pinch hitter after eight scoreless innings. I’m sure he can’t be too happy about that decision, and I agree with him. He did throw 116 pitches, but could have easily finished the game.

In the end Dickey ends with eight shutout innings, only allowing three hits, one walk and ten strikeouts. That makes it five double-digit strikeout games this year for Dickey, the most in the majors right now. Dickey gets his NL leading twelfth win of the season and lowers his ERA to 2.15 on the season. Impressive.

Jeremy Hefner got the call to finish out Dickey’s amazing performance. He gave up a base hit to the first batter he faced, but gets the next three guys to fly out to end the game.

Mets had quite the offensive show tonight, capitalizing nine runs on fourteen hits. The hitting parade was lead by Ruben Tejada who went 4-for-5 tonight with a double, a HBP, two runs scored, and an RBI. He reached base five times tonight, a career high for him. He’s also hitting .318 on the season.

David Wright and Ike Davis both had one hit tonight. Both contributing with an RBI each in the third inning as well. David Wright is hitting .359 on the season while Ike is still just under the Mendoza line with a .198 batting average. Ike Davis did have an error in the game as he pulled a Luis Castillo with a dropped popup in the bottom of the fifth.

Before tonight, Lucas Duda had an 0-for-15 drought which he snapped with an RBI single in the fifth. He went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, an RBI, a walk, but also two strikeouts. Josh Thole also had two hits tonight and scored a run.

Daniel Murphyhadn’t hit a homerun in a year but now has three homeruns in three days as he hits a three-run dinger into left in the seventh inning. Combine that with his two-run double in the fifth, gives him five RBIs on the night. This matches a career high for him, last time was in 2009 against the Nationals.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Andres Torres were the only Mets without a hit tonight, both getting 0-fers. They both drew a walk, and both struck out twice. Kirk dropping to .271, while Torres barely beating Ike with a .208 average.

R.A. Dickey even joined the hitting parade with a base hit of his own in the seventh. He now has a three game hitting streak and is hitting .371 in that span.

Game Ball

R.A. Dickey with his amazing start and Daniel Murphy turning it back around with five ribbies tonight.

Notes

I think we are all happy Ruben Tejada is back. He has ten hits, three RBIs, and five runs scored in the six games he’s been back. Also, his batting average is higher than Jose Reyes, just throwing that out there.

R.A. Dickey in June: 6 starts, 5-0 record, 48.1 IP, 21 H, 0.93 ERA, 55 K, 8 BB, 3 CG, 2 shutouts. Also had those two, one-hit games.

David Wright is anxiously waiting to see if he was voted into the 2013 All-Star Game, hitting .359 should have made him a no doubter, but as of Thursday morning, he was slightly behind Pablo Sandoval. Teams announced on Sunday.

Aaron Harang hit Ruben Tejada with a pitch before being pulled from the mound. Dickey retaliated by hitting Dee Gordon. Just protecting his team’s players.

Aaron Harang was mentioned in R.A. Dickey’s memoir, “Wherever I Wind Up.” He was mentioned with the paraphrased context of “Thank you, Aaron Harang, wherever you are…Whenever I have a rough outing, I find somebody who had an even worse day than me…Harang gave up nine hits and seven runs in four and a third innings against the Rockies. Today he supplies the comfort. I feel less miserable for knowing this.” Some other pitcher out there might use this as well, as the Mets rocked Harang.

Earlier this season, Carlos Beltran joined the 300-300 club, and tonight had his 2,000 career hit. Congratulations, sir.

Oliver Perez has been sighted once more with Seattle against the Red Sox. Tossed two scoreless innings in relief. ERA is now 1.69.

Up Next

Johan Santana goes up against Nathan Eovadi (0-4, 4.4 ERA) as the Mets continue to play the Dodgers. First pitch set for 7:15 PM on Fox

The post Tejada, Murphy, And Dickey All Amazin’ In 9-0 Victory appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Wright commits fielding error on infield pop-up.

After a rough Subway Series, the Mets traveled to Chicago to visit the great Wrigley Field to play the Cubs. Johan Santana started for the Mets and has been trying to regroup as he hasn’t pitched that spectacular since his no-hitter. He probably didn’t think he’d have a dueling war against the Cubs’ Travis Wood who only has one win this season and an ERA over four entering the game, but that was exactly what he had to do. Santana blinked first as after walking Geovany Soto with two outs, Joe Mather hit a two-run homerun over the ivory in left field to give the cubs a 2-0 lead. After getting his only one-two-three inning in the fifth, he had a nerve racking sixth. After back-to-back hits and then intentionally walking the bases loaded with two outs, he was able to get a ground out to end the side.

After throwing 102 pitches through six innings, he was pulled for a pinch hitter in the seventh. His line ends with two earned runs via that homer earlier, a total of five hits, three walks, while striking out six. He receives his fourth loss and now has an ERA of 3.00. It’s always terrible when Johan has a good start but no help from the offense. Throughout his six innings pitched, his offense only got him three hits and couldn’t score him a run. After Santana’s consecutive nine inning complete games, he hasn’t made it passed the sixth inning and has given up twelve runs in four starts.

Jon Rauch came into relief and was let down by his defense. David Wright started it off by committing a fielding error, then Rauch strikes out Reed Johnson, followed by a fielding error from Lucas Duda letting a run score and then a fielding error from Ronny Cedeno that allows another run to score. After Rauch walked Soriano, he was pulled to bring in Ramon Ramirez who makes his first appearance back from the disabled list. Ramirez allows two more runs to score that both get charged to Rauch before finally ending the tragic inning.

Justin Hampson made his Mets debut in the eighth inning tonight. He pitched a scoreless inning of relief, only allowing one hit, and striking out one.

The Mets offense was mostly absent. They only combined six hits between them and couldn’t score a run until two-outs in the ninth when Ike Davis hit a homerun into center field. Ike now hitting .191.

Despite his costly error and two strikeouts, Cedeno had two hits tonight. Like wise, Mike Nickeas had two hits, but struckout to end the game.

The other hit from the Mets was from David Wright who advanced his hit streak to 15 games. Wright is now hitting .358.

Notes

The Cubs have the worst record in baseball, and the Mets only got one run with six hits.

With Justin Hampson here now, the Mets finally have a second lefty in the bullpen to pair with Tim Byrdak.

Game Ball

Ike Davis saved us from a little more embarrassment.

Up Next

Dillon Gee (5-5, 4.27 ERA) opposes Randy Wells and the Cubs. First pitch set for 8:05 p.m.

The post Mets Drop The Ball In 6-1 Loss To Cubs appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Turner, Davis, and Nickeas celebrate Ike’s eighth homer of the season.

Jon Niese started tonight to start the series against the Yankees in the second round of the Subway Series. In the last round against the Yankees, Niese gave up no earned runs in seven innings of work which the offense couldn’t capitalize on. This time Niese had some strong innings but also some troubling innings, but he always found a way out unscathed. Unfortunately, the Yankees started feeling like they were back at Yankee Stadium, with a solo homer from A-Roid in the sixth inning and a solor home run from Andruw Jones in the seventh.

After some more trouble in the seventh, he was finally pulled from the game. He ends with two earned runs from two homeruns, giving up eight hits and one walk while striking out five in 6.1+ innings of work. He threw 106 innings in getting his fifth win of the season.

Bobby Parnell game in to rescue Niese in the seventh inning, getting two outs, one via a strikeout. Miguel Batista pitched the eighth inning giving up a two-run home run from Robinson Cano to put the game close at 6-4.

In to close, Frank Francisco game into the ninth and got his 18th save of the season despite a walk and a base hit. Cluck? Cluck?

Mets offense opened it up early putting a five spot in the first inning. After Lucas Duda flew out to shallow center with the bases loaded, there were two outs. Mets have made quite a season out of scoring with two outs, and continue to do so. Justin Turner finally getting some at-bats since returning from the disabled list and delivered with a two-run, two out single. The very next batter, Ike Davis, who continues to dominate since waking from his slump, hits a three-run, two out bomb to right field to go up five runs to none. After that both Mike Nickeas and Jon Niese tried to keep it going getting base hits, but the rally ended when Torres came up for the second time in the inning with a fly out.

After the first inning run burst, the Mets got blanked by Andy Pettitte until the seventh. The Yankees bullpen came in and David Wright extended the lead with an RBI double to knock in Omar Quintanilla.

Turner and Wright both had two hits tonight, with a double each. Combined with Ike’s homerun, they knocked in all six of the Mets runs. Wright now hitting .361, and Ike is still trying to get his average up, currently at .191.

Ronny Cedeno with his first game back since his DL and rehab stint, goes 1-3 with a run scored but struck out twice. Reminder of his average, it’s .235.

Andres Torres 0-3 with a strikeout tonight and left two on base. Hitting .207 on the season. Kirk needs to be batting everyday, even against lefties.

Notes

Mets have scored 52% of their runs this season with two-outs.

In his last four starts, Jon Niese has only given up six runs with 28 Ks in 26.1 innings pitched. Seems like the whole pitching staff is following Dickey’s lead.

Non-Mets related: Josh Hamilton has reached an agreement with a production company to possibly make a movie about his life story.

Game Ball

Turner and Ike for clutch hitting in the first, and Wright with his well needed insurance run in the seventh. Thank you, good sirs.

Up Next

Chris Young and Ivan Nova square off in the middle game of this Subway Series against the Yankees. First pitch scheduled for 7:15 PM on Fox.

The post Mets Surrender Three Homers, But Hold On To 6-4 Win Over Yankees appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

After being brutally swept by the Cincinnati Reds, the Mets open their doors to the Orioles and R.A. Dickey tosses his second straight one-hitter and proves that he truly is an AL killer.

R.A. Dickey is coming off of that controversial one-hitter/no-hitter against the Rays, and looks to have brought the same knuckleball with him on the plane ride back from Tampa Bay. His first baserunner was in the third inning when he walked the opposing pitcher, and didn’t give up his first hit until a single in the fifth. He would continue that one-hit bid through the rest of the game to pitch his second consecutive one-hitter. The man, the myth, the legend. Going all nine innings with a complete game shutout of one hit ball, he also struck out thirteen batters, while only walking two.

Throwing some knuckled numbers out there: Dickey picked up his Major League leading eleventh win, winning each of his last nine decisions. He has trimmed his ERA to a smooth 2.00 on the season. In his past five starts, Dickey has allowed no earned runs, 16 hits and five walks while striking out 51 in 41 2/3 innings. In fact Dickey’s last 52.2 Innings include 67 strikeouts and only 26 hits. His performance tonight upped his streak without allowing an earned run to 42 2/3 innings. The franchise record being 49 by Dwight Gooden in 1985. Dickey set the franchise record for consecutive hitless innings pitched at 12. The previous mark: 11 innings by Jack Hamilton in 1966. With 13 strikeouts tonight, Dickey set a career high and now has 103 for the season, in 99 innings. And finally, the Mets faced the Orioles and Buck Showalter, who was the one who suggested he switch to full time knuckle-baller. Irony is funny that way.

The Mets offense was backed by Ike Davis with a grand slam in the sixth inning, the first of his career, and the seventh homerun he has hit this season. Ike going 1-3 tonight with a walk is now hitting .196. Almost back to .200.

As an insurance run in the eighth, after Jordany Valdespin’s first career triple, David Wright hit an RBI single off the shortstop’s glove. 763 career RBIs for Wright. Hitting .353 and getting ready for the All-Star Game.

Notes

Speaking of Dickey converting to the knuckleball thanks to Showalter, Dickey only threw 15 fast balls and 2 curveballs in 114 pitches tonight.

R.A. Dickey is the tenth pitcher since 1900 to pitch a complete game one-hitter in consecutive appearances, and the first pitcher in MLB history with five straight starts of 0 ER & 8+ K.

Dickey has not allowed an earned run in 42.2 innings, the second longest streak in franchise history. Dwight Gooden (49.0 IP in 1985).

Ruben Tejada starts his rehab in Port St. Lucie tonight. He will be joined by Ramon Ramirez who also starts his rehab. Sandy Alderson said this about Tejada, “I’m sure we’ll get him back to Buffalo in short order.”

Ronny Cedeno continues to rehab in Buffalo. Originally, Collins said he might be reactivated midweek, now says the Mets will wait longer to do so.

Bay was examined Monday afternoon by doctors to determine the extent of his latest concussion. Alderson said Bay should return to the doctor on Tuesday before stopping by Citi Field.

Game Ball

Your future starter in the All-Star Game for the National League representing the Mets, the man, R.A. Dickey.

Up Next

Johan Santana (4-3, 3.23 ERA) faces Baltimore’s Tommy Hunter as the Mets continue to host the Orioles. First pitch set for 7:10 p.m on SNY.

The post Dickey Hurls Second Straight One-Hitter And Sets History In Mets 5-0 Win appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Mets came back home feeling good after sweeping the first place Rays. Dillon Gee tried to keep the ball rolling but he had no control and was getting batted all over Citi Field.

In the second inning, Gee gave up a lead-off inside the park home run to Jay Bruce after Jason Bay slammed into the left field wall chasing down the ball, hitting his head and neck. He came out of the game, able to walk on his own, but he was really woozy that he looked like he was going to collapse half way back to the dugout. He missed much of the 2010 season with a concussion he sustained barreling into the Dodger Stadium wall after a fly ball, and was on the disabled list this season after hurting his ribs diving for another ball. They say it’s a possible concussion, and after Bay’s concussion two years ago and Thole’s concussion earlier this year, you know they’re going to be extra cautious with Bay.

Continuing on, Hairston came in to play left and committed a throwing error as Gee gives up back-to-back hits and the Reds score again in the second. In the third inning, after losing control of his pitch and hitting Joey Votto in the side, he gives up a two-run shot to Brandon Phillips. Gee eventually strikes out and walks the next two batters and finally able to get a pop up to end the third.

Gee later settled in and finished the last ten batters cleanly to finally end his day. A rough start but it could have been worse. He finishes with four runs, but only three earned, on five hits, one walk, one HBP, a homerun, while striking out five in six innings of work. He went up to 100 pitches for just those six innings, increases his ERA to 4.43, and receives the loss.

At this point the Mets only had one hit through the first five innings until Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit a lead-off solo-homerun to get the Mets on the board. His third in the last two games.

Jeremy Hefner came in, his first appearance in nine days. With one out and Arroyo, the pitcher, on first, Hefner gives up a double, but Arroyo was heading home with the throw coming into the infield and the Mets could have had him hung out to dry on the base path. However, there was no communication in the infield, so Quintanilla had no idea of the easy out, Arroyo got back to third and everyone was safe. Hefner then gives up a two-run double from former Met, Wilson Valdez, to give the Reds a five run lead.  One inning, three hits, two runs for Hefner.

Not to be outdone by Kirk, Bay’s replacement, Scott Hairston, hits a two-run bomb into left field after Ike Davis gets himself a base hit. Atta boy Scotty! Afterwords, the Mets were able to get Bronson Arroyo out of the game, however, the Reds bullpen, who are the best in the league, threw three hitless innings against our Mets.

Elvin Ramirez pitches the eighth inning with no problem, but not the same story for the ninth. After a lead-off double from former Met and Met killer, Willie Harris, Ramirez gives up back-to-back hits and an RBI. He strikes out Votto with a backdoor slider, then gets Brandon Phillips to hit into a double play to retire the side.

Rounding out the little offense they had, the Mets score three runs on two hits with homers from Kirk and Hairston, and base hits from Ike and Wright. Ike also had a walk today, showing his patience has improved. His average now at .191. Murphy not so much with absolutely terrible at-bats, going 0-4.

Notes

As mentioned, Jason Bay left in the second inning after colliding with the left field wall. Possible concussion.

This day in Mets history, in 1977, the Mets traded Tom Seaver to the Reds for four players. This would later become one of the worst trades in Mets history.

Mets first and second draft picks in this year’s Amateur Draft, Kevin Plawecki and Gavin Cecchini, were at Citi Field today. They took batting practice with the team and Plawecki was hitting balls over the fence. Last time Cecchini was at Citi Field, was Johan’s no-hitter.

Mets hosted REO Speedwagon for a post-game concert. “[Mets We] Keep On Loving You.”

Game Ball

Kirk and Hairston, who without, we’d be shutout. Thanks boys.

Up Next

Niese tries to keep the long ball away from the Reds as he goes up against Homer Bailey. First pitch set for 7:15 PM on Fox.

The post Two Homers Not Enough In 7-3 Loss To Reds, Mets Also Lose Bay To Injury appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

In his first start since the no-hitter a week ago, Santana, on six days rest, gets slammed by the Yankees. He makes it only five innings allowing seven runs (six earned), on seven hits including a career-tieing four homeruns. Two homers being from Robinson Cano, and three straight homeruns in third in the bandbox known as Yankee Stadium.

It was the extra days off that ailed him, along with having his schedule changed with extra media and press as any pitcher faces after throwing a no-hitter. Of course the poor defense behind him and no run support didn’t help either. I understand the extra days off with the Mets wanting to protect their ace and his shoulder, but yikes!

Also, huge to mention that during the no-hitter a lot of his outs were down below the knee and in. Tonight, he was high, down the middle, and lowered velocity. Exactly what the Yankee hitters wanted. He was able to settle down for the fourth and fifth inning, but was taken out after 86 pitches. Hopefully after all this pitching rotation jumble settles down, Johan can return to his old self and be the ace that we all know he is. He walks away with his third loss and a 2.98 ERA.

Elvin Ramirez came in for relief and walked three batters in his first inning, yet not allowing a single hit or run. In his second inning of work, he walks the first batter, gives up a double, a sac fly, a ground out, an RBI double, an RBI single and then finally gets taken out. 1.2 innings, three runs on three hits, four walks and no strikeouts for the 4-A pitcher with a 13.50 ERA.

Miguel Batista picks up the last out of the seventh inning no problem. Jon Rauch fighting back form his injury pitches a scoreless, one-hit eighth inning. There was no ninth inning for the Mets bullpen.

Shockingly the Mets were almost no hit themselves tonight as Hiroki Kuroda went 5.2 innings without allowing a hit until Omar Quintanilla broke it up with a two-out double. Mets continue not to get hits as it took them again until two outs in the ninth when Duda hits an RBI double to score the Mets first and only run. A total of one run on two hits. Now that is embarrassing.

Mets totaled nine strikeouts tonight with a pair from each Nieuwenhuis, Duda, and Ike Davis.

Looking at averages now, David Wright has trickled down to .357, Murphy at .286 which ties Kirk, Ike Davis a measly .158, and Bay’s first game back from injury and illness is at .226. Jeez!

Notes

Johan Santana had an ERA of 13.00 in Yankee Stadium entering today. After leaving, it went down despite six runs. Strange game.

Former Met, Ryota Igarashi, got promoted by the Yankees today to make his Yankee debut to finish his former team. Thanks Iggy.

Omar Quintanilla is still suffering from an injured finger.

Game Ball

Omar Quintanilla and Lucas Duda with the only two hits for the Mets.

Up Next

The Subway Series continues as Dillon Gee faces the Yankees and Phil Hughes. Game time 7:15 PM on Fox.

Thoughts from Joe D.

Terry Collins blamed himself for what happened and said his overreaction was what cost the Mets this game. Collins said his pitcher Johan told him several times that he was fine and didn’t need all this extra rest, but that he refused to listen and wanted to error on the side of caution. He now wishes he didn’t.

Johan was completely rusty and out of sorts, it was hard to believe this was the same pitcher we saw last Friday. This overreaction by Collins was completely over the top and it ended up having to pitch Hefner in an emergency start against the Nats that we lost, then he even wanted to pitch Dickey on three days rest, which Dickey said no way. I mean this was so ridiculous and completely avoidable and we might have two extra wins in the win column if not for this post no-hitter fiasco.

Santana said after the game tonight that he feels great and he was just rusty, and that he felt great three days ago as well. “I keep telling them that I’m back, and that I’m fine”.

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