GAME #48 vs. Phillies
Who would have thought we’d be thinking this positively about the Mets a week ago at this time?
They were in Washington, about to limp home from a 2-6 road trip, during which their owner met them on the road in an emergency meeting to assure heads wouldn’t roll.
Instead, the Mets are rolling, having beaten the Yankees two of three and going for the sweep tonight against the Phillies.
If they do it, it would be their first three-game home sweep of the Phillies since 1997.
And, after getting back-to-back shutouts from their patchwork rotation and overworked bullpen, they will be playing their ace, Mike Pelfrey (6-1, 2.86), who has been incredibly tough at home (4-0, 2.43).
Take away his six-run debacle at Philly, May 1, and his ERA would be 2.05. He’s been All-Star caliber all the way.
“When I show up to the park on the days I’m pitching, I expect to win,’’ Pelfrey said. “I know everybody feels that way about (Johan) Santana, but I want everyone to feel that way about me.’’
Here’s tonight’s lineup behind Pelfrey:
Jose Reyes, SS
Luis Castillo, 2B
Jason Bay, LF
Ike Davis, 1B
David Wright, 3B
Angel Pagan, CF
Jeff Francoeur, RF
Henry Blanco, C
Mike Pelfrey, RP
Rod Barajas has a sore wrist and will get the night off. Pinch-hitting is a possibility. … No Fernando Nieve out of the pen tonight. His inning last night acted as a side session for his start Saturday in Milwaukee.-JD
Tarp on the field. Start delayed.-JD
Charlie Manuel is in an airplane seeding the clouds because he fears our mighty Mets.
Nothing this team does surprises me. When they look finished, they will rally to tease us again before failing.
Gnats lost today so the Mets can take sole possession of fourth place.
Dan (3): Looks like the Mets stole the right signs this series.-JD
During the delay watching a video of the 1984 Mets. That was some team.-JD
Fell short, but you knew they were going to be good.-JD
The thing about the 1984 season is the Cubs, of all teams, just happened to have an even more amazing year. Completely out of line what they had been before or after. But the Mets had the young talent beginning to blossom.. I’m not sure what the Cubs had..Ryne Sandberg.Rick Sutcliffe?? Mets went 6-12 against the Cubbies which hurt.
Dan (7): That definitely was the difference in the season. It’s often the way it is. There’s one team that will derail another.-JD
Estimated starting time is 905PM
You staying up for the whole thing?-JD
is it a coincidence the team started winning when the weak rotation got replaced?
yes jose got moved to the top and started hitting and bay is finally coming around.
but i think it starts with pitching.
dave (11): Not a coincidence. Also not coincidence that they have a stable batting order, too.-JD
yes. that is big.
jose leading off. raising his avg, stealing bases and making an impact at the top of the order rather than doing his best david wright imitation of aiming for the moon is the foundation. ike is doing what he has been since he got here and got moved up in the order. bay us starting to hit and so it makes a big difference.
dave (13): Huge difference. Winning teams are also consistent in the things they do. That’s what the Mets have been. Also, let’s not overlook their defense. Almost error free ball.-JD
I’ll be around. I work the nightshift and it’s my weekend. Up to 6AM is normal for me.
FIRST INNING: Strong start for Pelfrey after the delay.-JD
BOTTOM FIRST INNING: I want Reyes to run before they bunt.-JD
Hamels got the call on the Davis punch out.-JD
john(14)
i noticed that. they are playing this year. even when they lose, there is something different. they arent giving up like in past years.
dave (19): There is a spunk to them.-JD
yeah
thats it.
they are teaching them how to spunk
SECOND INNING: Davis sure has it. Thought he might make another catch on the rail.-JD
No hits allowed by Pelfrey. You always wonder if this could be the night.-JD
why did you have to say that?
BOTTOM SECOND INNING: Francoeur still doesn’t look good at the plate. Trying to pull every thing.-JD
dave (24): I wanted to be the first to call it. When it happens you’ll say, “JD had it in the second.”-JD
yes, i will
THIRD INNING: Pelfrey gets the ground ball again when he needs it. That’s a noticeable difference between this year and last.-JD
dave (27): Sigh …. not tonight.-JD
THIRD INNING: Another good bunt by Castillo. This is why I like him hitting second. He complements Reyes so well.-JD
Counting Chickens Before They Hatch: One run will be all Pelfrey and the bullpen needs tonight.
Dan (31): I have a feeling it’s going to take more than that. The Phils are a lot better than they’ve been playing.-JD
Well, the antidote to four walks is three DPs.-JD
john(29)
there are always the 20 other starts.
assuming pelfrey goes 6/7 and we only have the one run, what is your confidence that the 9th inning guy can do his job?
dave (35): I have confidence in K-Rod. (knock on wood)..-JD
pls dont walk the tie
what were you saying about last year?
well. 2 outs
glad he is incapable of hitting it the other way.
dave (40): Make it three. Pelfrey got out of it again with the groundball. Very resilient tonight.-JD
dave (40): Yes. Utley is definitely not on his game this series.-JD
SIXTH INNING: Pelfrey has been living on the edge tonight. They need another run or two, but Hamels is pitching well.-JD
Once again, Wright strikes out on the high fastball. He can’t resist.-JD
SEVENTH INNING: Watching Pelfrey I can’t help but think of those that wanted to trade him a couple of years ago.-JD
jose, jose, jose, jose
jose, jose!
BOTTOM SEVENTH INNING: I’ll say it again, Reyes is a different, confident hitter in the leadoff slot.-JD
Very interesting. The Phillies make a pitching change and Wright immediately goes to the dugout to look at a scouting report.-JD
EIGHTH INNING: Another fine job by Feliciano. Arguably the Mets most important player the past two years.-JD
NINTH INNING: We began the series hoping to win two of three. Who would’ve thought they’d be trying for three straight shutouts?-JD
AMAZING.-JD
A QUICK WRAP/Game #48
FINAL: Mets 3, Phillies 0.
RECORD: 25-23.
THUMBNAIL ANALYSIS: Mike Pelfrey had another stellar outing and Jose Reyes continued to rake to give the Mets their fifth straight victory. The last three were shutouts. They haven’t had three straight shutouts since 1969.
ON THE MOUND: Pelfrey’s sinker was working. He got out of three straight innings with a DP. Pelfrey gave up three hits in seven scoreless inning.
AT THE PLATE: Another multi-hit game by Reyes, including a two-run double in the seventh. … Jason Bay doubled home Reyes in the first.
IN THE FIELD: A DP got Pelfrey out of a jam in the third. … Angel Pagan made a diving catch to end the seventh.
LOOKING AHEAD: Johan Santana tomorrow night in Milwaukee.-JD
The Mets pitching machine in full operation. Fillies are futile away from their telephone booth ballpark. Bring on those Brewers..and get well Bob Uecker!