Jonathon Niese had a decent outing, and a big home run by Jason Pridie gave the Mets the win in the series opener versus the Dodgers, 6-3.
Game Notes
Jonathan Niese had a mixed outing today, being strong in some innings, and then being hittable in another inning. Jonathon was worked hard in the first inning, so his final line was five and two-third innings, with three runs allowed on seven hits with three walks and five strikeouts. Location wasn’t a problem for Niese today, but putting hitters away. His curveball was snapping and got a few strikeouts looking. His inability to go the distance robbed him of a win.
Ryota Igarashi came out for one out, and after giving up a single got rookie Jerry Sands to strike out to end the inning, and Ryota would be the winning pitcher on the day. Taylor Buchholz came out for the seventh, and after giving up a single to Andre Either, Buchholz would strike out two batters and walk one in his inning of work. Izzy came out, and had a clean inning with 0’s across the board. K-Rod came out for the ninth, and after allowing a lead-off single, got three flyball outs for his eighth save of the season.
The offense today existed in spurts as has been popular. After a Jose Reyes triple, a Carlos Beltran sac-fly scored Reyes in the first inning. In the second inning Ike Davis blasted a shot off the Pepsi Porch to make the score 2-2. With the Mets behind the eight-ball, after the Dodgers intentionally walked Ike Davis, Jason Pridie made them pay with a three-run home run, his third of the year. Jason Bay would knock in Jose Reyes with a single in the sixth and that would be all the offense the Mets would need,
Josh Thole – 1 for 4 with two strikeouts. 19 strikeouts is troublesome.
Jose Reyes – 3 for 4 with a run, a walk and a steal. Every hit was for extra bases (two triples, a double).
Murphy & Wright – 0 for 7 with two walks and two strikeouts. Both appear to be pressing, but Murphy made an impressive play on defense in the eighth.
Ike Davis – 1 for 4 with a home run, an RBI, two runs, a walk (intentional) and a strikeout.
Willie Harris – Walked in pinch hitting appearance.
Turning Point
The Jason Pridie home run, which accomplished two Mets failures. Hitting with RISP and winning.
Game Ball
Jason Pridie. 1 for 4 with three RBI and a run, in addition to two strikeouts. Pridie has been as-advertised, a good defensive CF with some pop and a penchant for the K.
On Deck
The Mets will look to extend their two game winning streak, sending Chris Young to the mound to face off against the Dodgers and Jon Garland. Game time is 7:10 P.M.
