In a steady rain, R.A. Dickey had a poor outing, the bullpen struggled and the Mets lost the rubber game of the series, 14-6
Recap
R.A. Dickey came out today and looked stellar in the first inning, but after that, the knuckleball went north and his results went south. Dickey struggled, giving up six runs between the second and the third before finally escaping the fourth without a crooked number. However, the fifth inning would not be so kind, seeing R.A. give up another two-run homer. His final line would be four and one-third innings, allowing eight runs on eight hits, with two walks and five strikeouts. Three of those eight hits were home runs, and they were all two-run shots. The weather + the knuckleball = bad.
Miguel Batista came out on what would become another bullpen day and pitched two-thirds of an inning, striking out two. Bobby Parnell came out, and on a tough-play, Ronny Cedeno, filling in for Ruben Tejada made a poor throw to first that found its way into the stands. Chipper Jones smoked a drive to left field that Jason Bay had sized up, but then inexplicably lost and lead to an RBI. Parnell’s final line was one inning, three strikeouts and two unearned runs. Parnell was turning up the velocity again, routinely clocking his pitches at 98-99 MPH and his curve at 83-84 MPH. Tim Byrdak went two-thirds of an inning, giving up two runs on three hits, walking one and striking out two before giving way to Jon Rauch to finish off the seventh. Frank Francisco, seeing his first work in a few games came out for the eighth and gave up two runs on three hits, striking out none.
Today was just a poor pitching day period. If I were to say before todays game which reliever will pitch the longest without allowing a run, I doubt Miguel Batista would’ve been the choice. At least the Mets pen can rest with tomorrow’s off day.
The offense looked good in the first two innings, specifically Ike Davis’ second home run in the series, third on the season. David Wright tacked on two more runs in the second inning on a long-double over the head of Michael Bourn, bringing him one RBI from tying Darryl Strawberry to become the Mets all-time leader in RBI’s. David would not let that record hold much longer, after a crazy infield single in the fifth, tying for the lead. Kirk Nieuwenhuis, on top of a good game hit an RBI single in the sixth. Captain Kirk doubled in the eighth, then score on a Daniel Murphy RBI single.
The Mets, who only stole one base to this point on the season, stole two today, with one each by Jason Bay and Kirk Nieuwenhuis.
Player Of The Game
Kirk Nieuwenhuis – The rookie’s first game in the leadoff spot, and he goes 3 for 4 with an RBI, two doubles, three runs and an SB. It is always good to have options for the leadoff spot.
Game Notes
The Mets lost two runs at the plate, on a poor baserunning call by third base coach Tim Teufel to send David Wright in the third, and Daniel Murphy in the fifth.
The error monster came to visit the Mets again, with a poor defensive day. A Cedeno scored error, and a Jason Bay play that was difficult, but that he normally makes.
Mike Baxter had another good pinch-hitting effort today
On Deck
The Mets have off tomorrow, and travel home to begin a series on Friday against the San Francisco Giants. Jonathon Niese is scheduled to go to the mound for the Mets with Barry Zito going for the Giants. Game time is 7:10 P.M.
