Hisanori Takahashi, making his first MLB start, delivered a solid outing but the Mets offense couldn’t buy a hit off of Yankees starter Javier Vazquez and took the loss 2-1.

Game Notes

Hisanori Takahashi couldn’t have done anything more impressive even if he tried today, stretching himself 6 innings, throwing 101 pitches with an absurd level of control. Takahashi struck out 5, gave up 5 hits and walked 1. The Yankees couldn’t put together multiple hits against Takahashi, and in the one situation when they did Takahashi pushed them back never giving an inch while mixing his pitches. Hopefully Takahashi can get more stretched out and stay effective, because the irony is in the fact that the long reliever out of the Mets bullpen has the ability to be a starter who can go out and give you a solid 7 innings.

The bullpen was steady and Mets fans were greeted with their first sighting this year of Elmer Dessens. He promptly decided to give up hits to the first 3 batters he faced, allowing the only 2 runs of the game. Oliver Perez came out for 1/3 of an inning and walked one, showing that he hasn’t forgotten what he is all about. Fernando Nieve made an appearance, but it was literally that as he walked one and was pulled. Pedro Feliciano came out for the 8th and looked the best he has all season, striking out 2 and keeping the Mets in the game. Manny Acosta pitched the 9th, and gave up 1 hit. Acosta has been a good surprise out of the pen.

The bats were not informed the goal of baseball is to make contact where players aren’t, or so it seems as they only mustered 4 hits the whole game. 2 of those hits came in the 9th inning on doubles by Jason Bay and Ike Davis with the Davis double scoring Bay. Everyone’s favorite Met of the moment, David Wright ended the possible rally off of Mariano Rivera by grounding out to 2nd base to end the game. Can blame be placed on David? He struck out twice…once looking on a questionable 3rd strike call.

Wright, Pagan and Barajas went 1-10 with 6 K’s and 1 GIDP. Although most of the lineup struggled, this is just the sign of the ineptitude.

Jason Bay just missed a home run off of the high right-center wall.

Ike Davis is still mashing the ball, looking more and more comfortable every day.

Game Ball

Hisanori Takahashi, you provided the Mets fan base with a 2nd straight pleasant surprise of pitching efficiency and durability.

Up Next

The Mets will look to even the series, sending Mike Pelfrey and his 5-1 record to the mound to face off against Yankees starter Phil Hughes. Game time is 7:10 PM