Even with a John Maine injury, the Mets offense proved effective in their 5-2 win versus the Atlanta Braves
Game Notes
John Maine looked decent for 3 2/3 innings until he was pulled with an injury in his left, non throwing elbow. Maine walked two, struck out three and gave up one run which was right before he was pulled. His velocity was still around 90, but in the early innings he was throwing strikes and getting quick out. It was evident something was wrong when Maine’s 3rd inning took him over 20 pitches. According to most reports, Maine is day-to-day and he may not miss a start
Hisanori Takahashi came in to relieve Maine and was outstanding, pitching three tremendous innings. Takahashi allowed one run on two hits, walking one but striking out seven. All of his pitches were crispy today, hitting their spots and getting most of his K’s looking. He was getting out righties as well as lefties. Raul Valdes made an appearance for a one out hold. Perpetual Pedro, who hasn’t been seen much in this season compared to last year came out and worked a flawless eighth inning. K-Rod then came in to the game, got himself into some trouble and then in typical K-Rod fashion got out of it with two strikeouts on some absolutely filthy curveballs.
The Mets bats were pretty quiet in the early going, until new Mets folk hero Ike Davis obliterated a ball to right field for a 450 foot home run. It was Davis first ML home run and he was seen on the bench high-fiving Jeff Francoeur. This isn’t an expert opinion – but the Davis home run was the longest homer I’ve seen hit into that Mo-Zone area in Citi Field’s short history. The Mets pounced on the Braves in the 6th with a Jose Reyes triple, and then Jose was knocked in by a Jason Bay triple. It was the best swing I’ve seen Bay take all season and may be signs of breaking out of his slump. David Wright then repaid the favor, knocking in Bay with a 405 foot sacrifice fly to dead center.
In the 7th, a play that is rarely seen occurred when the infield fly rule was called on a Jose Reyes popup and Mets arch nemesis Chipper Jones failed to make the catch and allowed the ball to roll past first base. Angel Pagan and Luis Castillo advanced, and Brian McCann ran to first base to tag out Jose Reyes and discuss with the umpire. As they all looked away, Chip Hale, the Mets 3rd base coach told Pagan to break for home which nobody was covering and Pagan scored on a very little league style of play. The Mets would tack on one more insurance run on a David Wright single that scored Luis Castillo
As a team, all of the Mets came together when it was necessary and put together hits when necessary. The only Mets starter to go hitless was Rod Barajas, but he blasted a ball to the left field corner that was caught on the warning track.
Turning Point
The Ike Davis home run seemed to spark a fire under the Mets that has yet to really be seen this season
Game Ball
Goes to the kid, Ike Davis. Welcome to the big leagues. He went 1-3 with his first HR and a walk.
On Deck
The Mets will look to build on their 2 game winning streak and will be sending Jonathon Niese on the hill to face Jair Jurrjens of the Braves. Game time is 1:10
