Friday, July 15, 2011

Game #92: Phillies 7, Mets 2

You figured the Mets caught a break: they would face the Phillies right out of the All-Star gate, but would face just one member of the Big Three (Cole Hamels, tomorrow), and the 4- & 5-starters. Well, turns out even Philly's 4-starter is good too.

Vance Worley held New York down for 5+ innings and the Phillies' bullpen did the rest, handing the Mets a letdown of a loss, 7-2.

The Bad Stuff:
  • Worley only lasted 5 1/3 but only gave up 1 run on 3 hits, walking 4 (which really drove his pitch count up) and striking out 4. New York's biggest threat came in the 6th when they knocked Worley out by loading the bases, but could only plate one run.
  • R.A. Dickey was far from sharp, surrendering 3 runs in the 2nd after loading the bases. A fourth run was added on a 6th inning solo home run by Raul Ibanez. All-in-all, Dickey finished his 7 innings with those 4 runs on 6 hits, walking 2 and striking out 5.
  • New York was still in in shouting distance until a disastrous 8th. With one out and a man on first, Ibanez hit a groundball to Justin Turner, who bobbled and couldn't execute the double play, only getting the out at first (no error was charged because, remember, you can't assume the DP). After an intentional walk, Ruben Tejada committed an error (this one counted) that loaded the bases. John Mayberry made the Amazin's pay with a bases-clearing double, and the fat lady started singing.
The Good Stuff:
  • Scott Hairston's sac fly in the 6th saved New York the embarrassment of not scoring any with the bases loaded. Carlos Beltran also added another run in the 8th on a solo shot to center, bringing the Home Run Apple out of its long slumber.
Final Analysis:
In the last two seasons (2009-2010), the Mets are 59-90 after the All-Star Break (2nd worst in the NL after the Pirates, who will most likely improve that record this year). For this Mets team which has surprised so many people by staying afloat with a AAAA roster, let's hope this is not a sign of things to come. Not a good outing at all tonight.

In other news, ex-Met Francisco Rodriguez has restructured his contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. Wait...you mean they can do that?? I'm not schooled in contract negotiations so someone will have to explain this to me, but why wouldn't we do that?

MM

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