On what should have been a 3 day series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, due to a rainout Monday, the Mets achieved one of the most unlikely feats – winning three games in 24 hours.
It all begun Monday, when due to a steady rain the Mets/Dodgers game was postponed and moved to a very rare, single admission double header beginning at 4 PM Tuesday.
Once the Mets began playing, on a very windy Tuesday – they continued right where they left off, using the left arm of Johan Santana for six innings, striking out six walking three and giving up 4 hits in a 4-0 win. Jason Bay unleashed his first home run, an absolute blast to left center, and a wild pitch and a Luis Castillo 2 RBI single accounted for the rest of the runs. The 2 cogs of the Mets bullpen, Fernando Nieve and Pedro Feliciano paid their just dues closing out the game giving up one hit, two walks and striking out four in there three innings of work.
In the second half of the double-header Oliver Perez looked horrible. I was lucky enough to attend this half of the game – and he was horrible for the entire night, all three and two thirds innings, walking four and giving up four hits. He was wildly out of control, and if it werent for a great outing from bullpen savior Hisanori Takahashi the Mets could have easily lost the game. Takahashi came out for three and one third innings, striking out five and giving up one run. The bats were lively, putting up 10 runs in their 10-5 victory. Every Mets starter accounted for a hit, with Ike Davis and David Wright accounting for 7 of the 10 RBI’s. It was a great offensive breakout game.
In the final game of the series, with the Mets smelling blood and looking for the sweep – the offense did not cease to put up big numbers, beating around the Dodgers yet again. John Maine had his best outing of the season, allowing 3 runs, 2 of which were on a line-drive home run by Russel Martin. What is more amazing that John Maine sans his velocity – struck out nine batters, walked three and gave up four hits. He looked in control, and maybe John has turned a corner in his evolution from thrower to pitcher. Everyone on offense chipped in, scattering their 7 RBI and Jason Bay appears to be out of his slump, smoking balls into the gap at any given chance. Nieve and Feliciano made appearances, and we got to witness the K-Rod show in yet another non-save situation, but showing he has the fire this year to come in and close the door all the time.
Series MVP:
David Wright. In three games, David avoided the K-plague, only striking out once and walking twice. He was slaughtering the ball and even added a steal, his 7th of the season for good measure. may this be a 20 hr/30 sb season from David? Lets hope so
Final Thoughts:
The Mets looked pretty good, and we can only hope that 9-1 in the last 10 games is a sign of things to come. Build on great pitching and the offense will come around
