Game #29: Giants 7, Mets 6 (10)

Taylor Buchholz gives up the winning home run. (NYDailyNews.com)

...Yeah. This one's tough to swallow.

Aubrey Huff's solo shot off Taylor Buchholz in the 10th proved to be the the difference as the Giants stole one from New York 7-6 at Citi Field.

The Bad Stuff:

• The Mets had plenty of offense, 11 hits, but none when it counted most. A David Wright leadoff double in the bottom of the 9th started the rally that loaded the bases with one out, but Josh Thole grounded into the 1-2-3 double play, turning what was supposed to be a triumphant flight into something resembling this. By the next inning, the Amazin's were out of it; they had no chance the instant Brian Wilson, and his beard, took the mound to do their thing.
• Also disappointing was R.A. Dickey's continued struggles. After a couple spotless innings, Dickey's knuckleball got knuckled around; in 6 innings of work, R.A. gave up 6 runs on 7 hits, only striking out one. He hasn't won since the opening weekend in Florida and is still looking for his first Citi Field win.
• Bad luck for Taylor Buchholz, but what puts him in the Bad Stuff tonight is that he gave up the game-winning home run to Aubrey Huff, who hadn't gotten a hit of any kind in a week. Before that home run, Huff was batting .183. Now he's batting .190. Giving up the game-winning home run to someone who's batting far below the Mendoza Line (.200) makes it Bad Stuff.

The Good Stuff:
Extra innings indicates that the Mets must have done something right before imploding faster than the Metrodome roof (aren't you glad the Twins moved out of that dump?).

• Carlos Beltran got the party going with a 3-run dinger in the 1st (his 4th of the year). In the 3rd, Ike Davis kept pace with a 2-run monster shot to right-center field (his 6th and 21st/22nd RBIs). 
• Also succeeding at the plate was Jose Reyes, who got on base every time he came up to bat (3-3 and 3 walks), scoring once and bringing home another. Take out the double play in the 9th and Josh Thole has a good night, going 3-5 (but someone tell me why Ronny Paulino wasn't in there after a 5-7 night on Sunday?).
• Sandwiched between Dickey and Buchholz's miscues, the bullpen makes a fine pastrami. Dillon Gee and Jason Isringhausen breezed through the 7th and 8th, while Fransisco Rodriguez got through the 9th in his routine, loads-the-bases-but-gets-the-last-guy-to-pop-out-on-a-ball-that-shouldn't-be-dropped-but-almost-was way.

Final Analysis:
As historically usual, what seemed like a promising start only ended in tears. Definitely should have won this one; it's disappointing for me as a fan, and probably exponentially more for the players. They had a chance to do something special on military appreciation night, but couldn't get it done. What a shame.

On a happier note, Jason Bay and his wife Kristen celebrated the birth of their third child. Bay is on paternity leave until Thursday. Congratulations Jason and Kristen. Can't wait to have you back in a couple days.

MM