The Amazins’ bounce-back and take advantage of their chances in a 11-2 victory of the Rays.
Summary
We needed this, we really did. This had bounce-back win written all over it, and with the way the ball was hit tonight, it was probably tattooed on the ball.
A certain Chris Young equaled exactly half of his work from last year, by making his second start, on route to his first win of this season.(Jokes aside, best of luck to Chris, he is definitely worth the roster spot when healthy.) He pitched the first 5 and 2/3 innings, one out short of a quality start, and gave the ball to Rauch to finish the sixth. Byrdak got the next two outs, but struggled with his command a bit, walking 2 before being replaced by Miguel Batista for a K. Ramirez (Elvin) pitched a scoreless eighth, and was followed up by big Frankie, who got through a clean ninth. Young allowed the only runs and hits the entire game for the Rays, giving up 2 runs off a Matsui single and subsequent Rhymes SAC Fly, and 9 hits overall. He walked 2 and struck out four. The WHIP will not look pretty, but he kept us in the game.
Interesting game for the offense, which scratched out the first run on an error, and then proceeded to score the next 10 runs with two outs. The crushing blow might have been an Ike Davis three-run bomb (on an odd sweeping swing) which was drilled into RF and put the Mets ahead 9-2, effectively ending any hopes of a Rays comeback. 14 hits on the day overall for the Mets (2 errors by the Rays definitely hurt Alex Cobb, opposing starter) and 3 walks rounded out the offense. Valdespin drove in 4 on the evening, 3 from Davis, 2 from Danny, and one from the Murph man.
Wright and Valdy both stole bases tonight, and simply put, we did good.
Hero Of The Game
Valdespin gets a nod of approval for driving in 4.
Notes
Win number 1 for Chris Young – and hold 6 for Rauch.
10 runs with 2 outs.
The Mets won out there tonight with an attendance of a little over 17 K in attendance – and the Rays really are not that bad.
Did Collins call for that bunt?
On Deck
David Price vs RA Dickey tomorrow evening in an awesome pitching matchup at 7:10 PM, where Dickey looks for win number 10, and to keep his streak of incredible pitching alive.
