The Mets came out of the gate playing with some fire in their bellies, helping Jon Niese pick up his first win of the season as they crushed the Phillies 9-1 to extend their winning streak to eight games.
Game Notes
Jonathon Niese looked lights-out all night going seven innings – giving up four hits, walking one and tying a career high with seven strikeouts. Niese was in control from the second inning on, not allowing a baserunner until the seventh. He didn’t unleash his curveball until the 2nd and 3rd time through the order, and when he did the Phillies looked befuddled. Nice job by the young lefthander and no easy feat!
The bullpen was essentially mop up duty, but Jenrry Mejia went an inning giving up a hit and striking out Ryan Howard on a curve in the dirt after busting him inside a couple of pitches earlier. Manny Acosta came out in the 9th, walked one and gave up one hit before it was all said and done.
The pitching has been the story during this Mets hot streak and it continued tonight. Jerry Manuel left Niese in the game to bunt in the top of the 7th, and that was a good sign. Manuel wasn’t gonna baby any of his pitchers and he was going to let them take what was theirs.
The bats were absolutely electric all night long – they didn’t have a hit for LESS then 2 bases until the 7th inning. Seven consecutive extra-base hits including four home runs!
David Wright launched a two-run homer to dead center in th 2nd inning, and then shortly after Frenchy unleashed a solo home run to left field. The real hitting star of the day was Rod Barajas. It seems when he hits home runs, he hits em in bunches. Rod hit two more homers today, for his second multi-home run game of the season.
Angel Pagan was outstanding in the leadoff hole, going 3-5 with 2 RBI off of a triple that Angel could’ve possibly turned into an inside the park home run. Ike Davis and Luis Castillo went hitless
In an amazing note, only ONE Met struck out tonight and it was David Wright once. This coming against Kyle Kendrick – the Phillies pitcher is a strike-thrower, but still. Kudos.
Game Ball
Jon Niese/Frenchy/Jenrry Mejia all get the ball – a tri-fecta. Niese for his stellar outing. Frenchy for an amazing catch where he ate fence, blasting a homerun, and stealing his first base after getting beaned. Jenrry Mejia for beaning Chase Utley to show some solidarity.
Up Next
The Mets look to keep the streak alive, sending the outstanding Mike Pelfrey to the mound to face Phillies ace Roy Halladay in a 3:10 PM matinée.