Mets Take 2 Out Of 3 Against Padres At Home

The New York Mets from June 8th-10th, were hosting the San Diego Padres. This series was everything you could have asked for. The only thing regretful was the Mets not taking all three of the games, but I'll get to that now. In game 1, it was a pitching match-up of Mike Pelfrey and Clayton Richard. This opener was a pitching beauty as both teams only combined for 3 runs. Let's jump to the top of the 1st inning, where Pelfrey is in a jam with a man on second base and Adrian Gonzalez batting. Gonzalez drives a ball that hits off the left field wall, that scores Chase Headley. Pelfrey limits the damage with only 1 run allowed. Now its the bottom of the 7th, were Richard has shut out the Mets until now. Jose Reyes, hits a solo homer that was reviewed by the umpires and overruled the original call of a double. Neither team adds to their lead, so this game went into extra innings. Following that, we go into the bottom of the 11th, and this is were the game got great because the Padres are excellent when in late inning games. This game was ironic, however, when Ike Davis blasts a walk-off shot to right center field! What was truly amazing was that I was at Citi Field and I experienced it! In game 1 of a double-header due to a rain-out and game 2 of the series, it was Johan Santana against Mat Latos. This game was a shock to me personally and most Met fans viewing this game because Santana didn't have his control at all, which proved to be the nail in the coffin of the potential sweep. Basically, the Mets provided 2 runs off Henrry Blanco's two run homer, but were shut down after that with 8 strikeouts. The Padres capitalized on almost every runner in scoring position and ended up winning the game 4-2. In game 3, it was Jon Niese versus Jon Garland. Again, this was another pitching beauty for the Mets. In a complete game, Niese threw a 1-hitter including 0 walks! The Mets offense provided enough support off Ike, David, and Frency's RBIs. Amazingly, San Diego turned a triple play, but it wasn't a boost as the Mets won this game 3-0, continued an superb homestand of 5-1, and took this series. Once again, this was a game that I had attended! Now the Mets will continue to dominate baseball, this time taking it into inter-league play, on a 9 game road trip against the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, and New York Yankees.

Mets Sweep Marlins

The New York Mets hosted the Florida Marlins from the 4th to the 6th of June. As you know by my title, the Mets won all three games of a three game set at Citi Field. This improves the Mets' record against the Marlins to 4-6, when it was previously 1-6. In game 1, it was R.A Dickey pitching against Anibal Sanchez. The Marlins jump on the board first with 3 runs in the top of the 2nd and 3rd innings. Now it's the bottom of the 3rd and Dickey helps his cause by RBI singling to score Luis Castillo's replacement, Ruben Tejada. Later in the inning, Jason Bay doubles off the wall to score R.A Dickey. Three innings later (bottom of the 6th), Jeff Francouer ties the game on an RBI single that scores David Wright. Later, Tajada comes up big with a productive out that scores Rod Barajas from third base. The Mets held on to win the game 4-3, and end the game and the Marlins streak. In game 2, it was all Mets. Johnathan Neise had an excellent return game, in which he had run support and put up 7 solid innings. These innings included 6 strikeouts, 1 walk, and 1 ERA. David Wright had a solid game going 2 for 3, and batting in 3 runs. Mets again win this game and ensure the series with a possibility of the sweep on June 6th. In game 3, the Mets did just that! Game 3 was an offensive explosion! Both teams combined for 13 runs, in which pitching was just not there. Excitingly, the Mets came back from a 1-6 deficit to win the game 7-6. The Mets used their field to the advantage using small hits and getting a big hit when it was needed. The big hit came from Jeff Francouer, who tied the game again with a 3 run home run that was lifted by the winds. This series was great, exciting, shocking, and thrilling and proved why the Mets are a playoff contender.

Mets Lose Series With San Diego Disappointingly

From May 31-June 2, the Mets were hosted by the San Diego Padres. This series again, is another example of the Mets' poor performance on the road. They had this series on their fingertips, but it slipped away. In game 1, on Memorial Day as I have said previously, the Mets just flat out got destroyed. There are no other words to describe this, but I can say that the Grand-Slam Jerry Hairston Jr hit off Takahashi definitely gave the Padres an edge, and they have never looked back in that game. Regardless, Takahashi was due for a loss as he was previously 2-0, and only gave up one run to the Yankees and Phillies combined. So the final score ended up being 18-6 Padres. In game 2, the Mets evened the series with San Diego as Mike Pelfrey pitched 7 innings, and did it like a superstar. In his 7 innings alone, Pelfrey had 8 strikeouts, 2 walks, and only 4 hits. The offense scored 4 for him, with help from David Wright and Ike Davis, combining for 4 runs. David Wright had a solo home run and added with an RBI single, while Ike hit a two-run bomb to straightaway center field. Lastly, K-rod got the save, but he gave up 1 run. This would prove lethal in the rubber game of the series. In game 3, it was Johan Santana pitching for the set. He pitched his heart out, while he didn't have his best performace on the mound. I say this because he walked 5 batters, and stranded 10 plus Padres on base. This was just a gem, but of course, the Mets' offense lacked firepower that it had had in the previous game. Johan qualified for the win because of Jeff Francouer's RBI single, but once again 1 run is enough for K-rod. In the bottom of the ninth, K-rod blew Johan's win by giving up a RBI single to David Eckstein in the bottom of the 9th. The game officially ended when Adrian Gonzalez hit a walk-off grandslam. Anyways the Mets proved again that they aren't comfortable on the road going 2-4 in six games, but at least now their home and can avenge this series in their upcoming homestand!

Memorial Day Wasn't Good Memories For The Mets

The New York Mets, before the series with the Milwaukee Brewers have been playing excellent. Previously, they played both the Yankees and Phillies at Citi Field, each have decisive set wins. On the road, the Mets just cannot seem to get it done. They prove they can win at home, but in baseball, you need to win everywhere to get to the post-season. Ironically, the Brewers are a better road team because their just terrible at home. This series had questions and it sure provided a bunch of answers. This series for the Mets proved that their pitching was okay in one game, and in another it was horrible. In game 1, was Yovani Gallardo against Johan Santana, ace versus ace. Gallardo is the Brew Crew's top starting pitcher, who is known for his strikeout numbers. Here he fanned seven, pitched a complete game, and gave up no runs to ensure an easy Brewers' win. Santana, on the other hand, got a no decision and pitched just as well. Igarashi gave up a walk-off home run to Corey Hart, who ended the Mets' scoreless streak at 35 innings. In game 2, it was an offensive powerhouse as both teams combined for 14 runs in the game. Not only that, but the Mets' showed heart after trailing 4-1, but the pitching could not seal the deal. Mets lose this game 6-8 and drop the first two with the chance of getting swept in the last game. In game 3, it was all Mets as they flooded the scoreboard with 10 runs on 16 hits. Not to mention, the Mets were provided with a much needed quality start from rising superstar, R.A Dickey. He pitched seven innings, gave up four runs, and k'd three. I am truly disappointed that the Mets could not continue their win streak against the Brewers on the road, but there is just not another word to describe them like streaky.

Mets Sweep Phillies In A Rare Way....

The Mets continued their home-stand with a bang. As we all know by now, the Mets took the previous series against the Yankees 2-1. In this series, the Mets won all three games. More importantly, it proves that surprisingly the Mets can play with championship caliber teams like the Yankees and the Phillies. Lastly, going 5-1 combined against both teams proves my theory. Throughout this home-stand, the pitching, hitting, and defense has been superb for the Mets. Key to any game is pitching, and if your team's ERA is 0 throughout the whole series, chances are your winning the set. During these three games, the Mets shut out the Phillies in all the games and allowed no scored runs(earned or not) on the scoreboard in 27 innings. This is the first time I have ever witnessed a pitching beauty in my life, and the first since they accomplished it in 1969. Hitting was just as gorgeous outscoring the Phillies 16-0, which the pitching took a surplus of pressure off the Mets. Ironically, the Mets were looking like the '08 Phils as the Phillies looked like the '09 Mets! Not to mention, many Mets hitters became in a hot streak making them snap out of their cold streak. Some hitters include Jose Reyes. As most Major League Baseball fans know, Reyes is the Mets spark for the offense. In one game alone, he had 2 hits(a triple and a single), stole a base, and scored two runs. He was the factor of the unexpected 2006 run. But anyways, from this series Met fans know many new things about their team such as the starting pitching. Every year, this is the biggest concern of the Mets season. But R.A Dickey and Hisanori Takahashi, have stepped up in a enormous way and hopefully will be the future starters. Potentially on the way, could be Roy Oswalt could give the Mets a solid five as he requests a trade from one of the League's worst, Houston Astros. Let's hope the Mets can withhold this streak and extend their excellent play against the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres on the road!

Mets Take 2 Out Of 3 Against Yankees At Citi Field

The Mets came into this series 3-7 out of their last ten games. These ten games included a two game set against the Nationals at home, a four game series against the Marlins on the road, a two game series against the Braves on the road, and a two game set against the Nats on the road. These statistics prove that the Mets are terrible on the road, which kills them in their record. Anyways, the Yankees also came into this game on a skip going 4-6 in their last ten games. In game 1, the Yankees won a slim game. They defeated the Mets 2-1, where their rookie, Kevin Russo, had two hits one of which was the game winning two runs. They also had excellent pitching by Javier Vasquez. To equal that, the Mets sent Hisanori Takahashi, in which he earned a no-decision allowing no runs. Strange enough, it was his first Major League start since coming out of the bullpen. There is no better feeling then allowing no runs against a championship caliber team like the Yankees! Of course, somebody had to give up the game and that was Elmer Dessens. In game two, however, it was the exact opposite! The Mets' offense finally woke up and the pitching was superb. David Wright, Angel Pagan, and Alex Cora each had key two-out hits that combined for five runs, which proved to be too much for the slumping Yankees. Phil Hughes pitched well enough for a win, but the offense couldn't support him while face Mike Pelfrey. Final score: Mets win 5-3. Game three was unique in a way that I have rarely seen the Mets play like they did last night. The game had all the attention because it was nationally broad-casted on T.V, ESPN. Anyways, this game was a game of aces, Johan Santana versus C.C Sabathia. Very early, the Mets take a 4-0 lead in the second from Cora's two-run two-out single, and Jason Bay's two-run homer. Let's skip to the bottom of the fifth, where Jason Bay leads off with a solo home run. This is his second of the game, rare as homers is for him this year! Later in the inning, David Wright doubles and scores Ike Davis. The Yankees put up a fight in the bottom of the ninth, but the six runs for the Mets were too much and too late for them. The final score: Mets win 6-4. Stay posted, as I will undoubtedly cover round 2 of the Subway series at Yankee Stadium.