Chris Capuano and the bullpen combined for a shutout and the offense exploded in the late innings for a 7-0 win against the Pirates

Game Notes

Chris Capuano pitched a strong seven innings today, giving up three hits, allowing six total baserunners (two via walk, one via HBP) and five strikeouts. Capuano kept inducing weak contact and surprisingly, ground balls which allowed him to get out of trouble. The only thing that worries me about Capuano is, at 93 pitches entering the eighth he could have easily gone another inning, but I guess the Mets would rather seal it up.

Jason Isringhausen came out and pitched an inning, striking out one and allowing one hit. Izzy must appreciate this sense of rest he has gotten with Mets starters going into the seventh in the last four games. Bobby Parnell came in for mop-up duty in the ninth after the Mets were ahead 7-0 and allowed two hits, but struck out two including Ronny Cedeno to end the game on a 100 MPH fastball.

The bullpen didn’t have to worry much, as a 7-0 lead into the eighth is almost insurmountable.

The offense today couldn’t get it going against Kevin Correia until the fifth when they managed their first hit. In the seventh, on a confusing play Jason Bay hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Daniel Murphy but Angel Pagan was called out for failing to touch second base on his way back to first. After review and discussion, the run was allowed to score. The Mets went big in the eighth inning, on an RBI double by Justin Turner, a Carlos Beltran two-RBI single and an Angel Pagan RBI single. By then, everything else was breathing room. Forgotten man Scott Hairston hit a blast to LF for his second homer on the season. Right after that, Jose Reyes sent his second of the series, third of the year to the RF bleachers making the game 7-0.

The Mets have been winning without the long ball, and in most cases without extra-base hits, but still winning.

Josh Thole – 0 for 4. Don’t see the hook coming any time soon though. Unless he can’t throw out 20% of baserunners.

Ruben Tejada – 0 for 4 with a strikeout. Everyone has an off-day, Ruben. Shake it off for tommorrow

Murphy & Pagan – 4 for 8 with an RBI and a run. Both of these guys are scorching hot.

Turning Point

The eighth inning explosion. The Mets like to find one inning, and expose the other teams weakness.

Game Ball

Jose Reyes & Chris Capuano split the game ball. Seven amazing innings from Chris and a 3 for 5 day with two runs, an RBI and a home run for Mr. Reyes.

On Deck

The Mets will look to win the series outright tomorrow, sending Mike Pelfrey to the mound against Pirates lefty Paul Maholm. Game time is 7:05 P.M.

For random thoughts about the Mets, today’s game and any other insights, follow me on twitter @TheSeanKenny