Between the Mets and the Jets today, nothing makes sense — and I’m happier than a kid in a candy store. The New York Mets pulled off an unlikely 2-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians through the strength of Daisuke Matsuzaka, Justin Turner, and Eric Young. …Yeah, what?
Matsuzaka was masterful early, as he didn’t allow a hit until the fourth inning. He finished with six innings pitched and only one run allowed — a run that crossed that plate via Vic Black. Matsuzaka was removed in favor of Black after he was drilled by a liner that left the bases loaded with two outs. Black nailed Asdrubal Cabrera accidentally and forced in a run, but he got out of the jam after that. Daisuke allowed just three hits and three walks, while striking out six batters. The Mets bullpen pieced together the win the rest of the way, with Pedro Feliciano and the unlikeliest of heros — Frank Francisco. Calling him a hero is definitely pushing it, but he induced a double-play with the bases loaded to keep the game scoreless heading into the ninth.
The game was dead-locked at one heading into the ninth, as Justin Turner went deep early off Danny Salazar, who otherwise mowed down the Mets. The Mets would take the lead after Matt den Dekker scored in the ninth off an Eric Young Jr. double, and LaTroy Hawkins would shut the Indians down in the ninth for the save. He received a little help from Anthony Recker, who gunned down an over-eager Mike Aviles trying to steal second base with one out.
I’m pretty excited with the events that took place today, so I hope you all had a good Sunday. Carlos Torres will take the mound for the Mets against Gio Gonzalez and the Nationals in New York as the Mets open a series with them at 7:10 tomorrow. Torres was excellent in his last start, going seven innings and allowing just three earned runs.
