Dillon Gee looked sharp and Eric Young Jr. closed with some fireworks as the Mets snapped the Royals’ nine-game winning streak in 11 innings tonight.
The Mets got it going right away in the first when David Wright smacked his 16th home run of the year, bringing in Juan Lagares as well to make the score 2-0. The game stayed very quiet for the next six innings.
Wade Davis would be done after five, with a pretty impressive final line: 5IP, 8H, 2ER, 0BB, 5K. He was relieved by the flame-throwing Kelvin Herrera.
Gee pitched seven scoreless and came back out for the eighth but after issuing a leadoff walk to Lorenzo Cain, his night was over. His final line was a very impressive one: 7IP, 3H, 1ER, 2BB, 4K.
Scott Rice took over for Gee, and after nicking Alex Gordon with a too-far-inside fastball, he got Eric Hosmer to ground into a fielder’s choice. Hosmer was the last batter Rice would face. LaTroy Hawkins entered and yielded one run (Gee’s leadoff walk) before getting a ground ball (and making an awesome diving play) to end the inning.
David Aardsma was on closer duty tonight, due to Bobby Parnell‘s sore neck. Aardsma struggled from the get go, and was unable to convert his first save opportunity of the year. Lorenzo Cain hit a sac fly to center, and Miguel Tejada scored from third. That would be it for Aardsma, who was relieved by Met veteran Pedro Feliciano. Feliciano retired Alex Gordon, and his third of an inning was a flawless one.
If the bottom of the ninth wasn’t a prime example of what’s holding this team back, then I’m not sure what is. The Mets were in position to walk off after Ike Davis led off with a leadoff double, but couldn’t bring him around. Omar Quintanilla moved Ike over with a masterful bunt, but after Justin Turner‘s pathetic excuse for an at-bat and Lagares’ ensuing ground out to second base, the threat was over. And if I didn’t have to write this recap, my remote very well may have ended up on the other side of my TV. Good thing it didn’t.
Carlos Torres pitched a scoreless tenth, and it was on to the bottom of the frame. El Capitán led off with a leadoff single, but not without a cost. He has been battling a tight hamstring for the past week or so, and it appeared to give out on him as he was hustling down the line. It didn’t look good, but we’ll keep you guys updated as soon as we know what the deal is.
After the injury the Mets threatened again, but again, couldn’t come through. This time it was John Buck, who hit into a 6-4-3 double play. Torres would hurl a scoreless eleventh, and it was on to the bottom.
After an Anthony Recker groundout, a Quintanilla walk, and a Turner pop out, Eric Young Jr. stepped up to the plate. He was the last batter that would step into the box, as he drove a knee-high fastball over the right field fence and gave the Mets their 49th win of the season.
The Mets face the Royals tomorrow at 1:00. Torres pitched extensively tonight, so Jeremy Hefner (4-8, 4.21 ERA) will get the start tomorrow. Bruce Chen (4-0, 2.39 ERA) will start for Kansas City.
Notes:
- Wright’s first inning dinger, number 220, tied him with Mike Piazza for second on the Mets’ all-time home run list. He only trails Darryl Strawberry now, who leads with 252.
- According to Terry Collins, Bobby Parnell may not be available for the rest of the weekend. He is a definite scratch for tomorrow, and questionable for Sunday. He’s battling a minor neck injury and was given some medication to take.
- I was going to write that Young is slumping, but scratch that. He’s the hero tonight!!!!!
- Not a pretty one, but we got it done. In the end, that’s what matters.
