Despite a 9th inning rally, the Mets wasted a great outing by Oliver Perez, losing 4-3 to the Cardinals
Game Notes
Oliver Perez went to the hill and pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings, walking three, giving up four hits as well as striking out four. This was the best Perez has looked in quite some time, as he was getting ahead of hitters and putting them away. Although hittable early, he settled into a groove keeping the hitters off balance.
This is the only time this season the bullpen has looked human. Fernano Nieve came out, walked one, hit Skip Schumaker on the foot and was pulled for Raul Valdes. Valdes came out, and gave up a grand slam to Felipe Lopez, then ended the inning by striking out Allen Craig and getting Albert Pujols to pop out. Jenry Mejia came out, and looked great. he gave up one hit, but struck out two on what appeared to be curveballs.
The Mets bats were not ready for Chris Carpenter, as he struck out ten. The Mets managed to score on an Albert Pujols error in the 2nd inning. The bats remained fairly silent, with Jeff Francoeur the only batter who was able to get another hit. Frenchy has looked great this season, drawing another walk in addition to going 2-3 with 2 singles. His only flaw was getting caught too far off base on a line-out double play by Rod Barajas
They nearly mounted a comeback in the 9th with Smithtown’s own Frank Catalanotto getting his first hit as a Met, scoring Frenchy and a Jose Reyes groundout scoring Gary Matthews Jr.
Gary Matthews Jr. struck out three times, with the trio of Reyes, Bay and Jacobs accounting for two strikeouts each.
Turning Point
The game changed when Felipe Lopez hit the grand slam, blowing the Oliver Perez outing.
Game Ball
Jeff Francoeur! Frenchy came through, 2-3 with a walk, 2 runs scored and a great over the shoulder catch. He comes out everday to play, and that is admirable.
On Deck
The Mets will try and rebound for this heartbreaking loss sending out Johan Santana to face Jaime Garcia. Game time is 4:10 P.M.
