Hisanori Takahashi was annihilated in the third inning and the Mets, despite a ninth inning comeback, fell to the Marlins 7-6.
Game Notes
Hisanori Takahashi was great…for every inning not referred to as the third. Hisanori Takahashi went five and two third innings, giving up six runs including a Hanley Ramirez grand slam on nine hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Despite the third inning, Hisanori wasn’t all that bad, although he was hittable today. The Marlins took advantage of the fact that he was a lefty who doesn’t throw very hard. Almost every time he threw a fastball, the Marlins were feasting on it. Hisanori may not be the pitcher that he was earlier in the season, but if he has any hope to stay in the rotation after the All-Star break, he will need to prove to be consistent.
The bullpen came in and allowed the Mets to claw back into the game. Elmer Dessens went one third of an inning, getting a crucial out in relief of Takahashi. Bobby Parnell would come out for the seventh, and work around two hits striking out one batter. As I’ve been told, the Mets apparently committed a major sin by bringing in Frankie Rodriguez for the eighth inning, but in his inning of work he struck out two. Pedro Feliciano came out, and after getting the first two outs in the inning, gave up a double to Jorge Cantu and the game-winning single to Dan Uggla scoring Cantu. The usage of Feliciano in the situation against ALL righties really makes one question – can Pedro really face righties and get them out consistently?
The Mets offense came out firing, but after Takahashi’s implosion of a third inning, the Mets went silent. Jason Bay drew first blood in the first inning, with a sacrifice fly that scored Jose Reyes. On aggressive baserunning, David Wright was thrown out at 2B. Jose Reyes doubled in Ruben Tejada in the second inning and then advancing to third on the throw home. Angel Pagan, in his first game back since an oblique injury sidelined him, knocked in Jose Reyes with a sacrifice fly. The Mets would begin their comeback in the seventh inning, when Ruben Tejada grounded into a fielder’s choice scoring Fernando Tatis. Once the ninth inning arose, so did the Mets offense. After a Rod Barajas single and a Chris Carter double, Jeff Francoeur grounded out to 2B, scoring Rod Barajas. Josh Thole making what may possibly be his last appearance as a Met, knocked in Alex Cora, who was the tying run.
Jason Bay went 0-1 with an RBI and two BB’s. Something about Puerto Rico seems to make him seem worth his contract.
David Wright went 3-4, with all three of his hits going for singles.
Ruben Tejada is continuing to find a groove, going 2-3 with a run scored and an RBI raising his average to .270.
Ike Davis, even with the day off, came in as a pinch hitter and went 0-2 with a K. That gives Ike twelve K’s in his last eleven games, including four games with two K’s each.
Turning Point
The six run, third inning. From that point on, the Mets were facing an uphill battle to just stay within striking distance
Game Ball
Ruben Tejada for his 2-3, run scored and RBI. Tejada seems to be getting the idea at the plate, as he is beginning to figure out major league pitching
On Deck
The Mets will look to avoid the sweep, sending Mike Pelfrey to the mound to face off against Chris Volstad. Game time is 7:10 P.M.
