Isn’t that the way it always is?
Game #101 vs. Cardinals
When the Mets flourished in June, Johan Santana struggled, going 1-3 with a 4.68 ERA. Then as the Mets hit the skids in July Santana has been brilliant at 3-0 with a 0.71 ERA.
But all that talk of him losing it in June was just that as Santana proves that on any given night he can be as great as anybody.
At 8-5, his record is mediocre, but his 2.79 ERA suggests he’s anything but.
Santana has a no decision in eight of his 21 starts, with the Mets going on to lose five of those games. And in those games he’s given up a total of nine runs, three times not given up a run. There have been nine games in which the Mets scored three or less runs.
The Mets are currently 6 ½ games behind Atlanta. Reverse the outcome of the no-decisions in games lost by the Mets in which he’s pitched then the race has a different complexion to it.
I get nervous when a pitcher I like is working – that’s true tonight, as I start worrying about Johan Santana before he has even thrown pitch one.
Annie (1): Pitch one was ripped into centerfield.-JD
I thought I was late – hope that isn’t a sign.
You know, I’m watching on the radio – is that really Santana out there???
FIRST INNING: Holliday takes Santana deep. … Now runners on second and third. The Cardinals are going after the first pitch.-JD
There was a rain delay in Cleveland and Michael Kay was previewing his newest CenterStage program about Andy Pettitte.
Garcia makes Santana work then hits a two-run single. Mets down 4-0 and nobody has broken a sweat yet.-JD
John – you see Santana all the time – what’s wrong tonight?
Six runs in and the Cardinals still batting. Just goes to show you never know. … Cardinals have the bases loaded with Pujols at-bat.-JD
Annie (8): He’s up in the strikezone.-JD
BOTTOM FIRST INNING: The Mets have to resist the urge to get it all back at once. They need to make Garcia work to run up his pitch count. There’s plenty of time. Just a run at a time.-JD
I like that at-bat by Reyes. Took a few then dropped down a bunt.-JD
Yes, I know, but I thought that we’d have more than just 24 hours not worrying about the Mets….
Annie (13): C’mon Annie … these are the Mets. It’s always something.-JD
6 run deficit for our Mets? Not a problem.
Howie says that Jason Bay might be put on the Disabled list if not recovered by Friday.
Dan (15): Ah, a note of optimism.-JD
John (14) You’re right – it always is something.
Annie (16): I’m banking on it. After the heat they took on the Church concussion, they aren’t fooling around with this.-JD
Beltran gets a hit in this at-bat cuts it to four. This is a big opportunity to get back into the game.-JD
Hessman smoked that. Missed a slam by a few feet. NIce way to make a splash.-JD
John (19) Seems to me that flying with that recirculated air may be a factor in exacerbating these concussions.
Annie (22): I don’t know about that. I think it’s more the air pressure. -JD
John (23) maybe that’s it, but flying does seem to play a role, that’s where Jason first realized that something was wrong and that was a couple of days after he fell. I just hope he gets better treatment than Ryan Church did.
I’m beginning to relax a bit here, we’re only 4 behind in the second inning… that should be manageable.
Howie is reminding everyone that tomorrow’s game is at 12:10PM – also said that when he was a camp counselor the games didn’t start until 2PM and the kids never saw a whole game. Love the Howie stories.
BOTTOM THIRD INNING: A leadoff double is wasted. Can’t throw away those opportunities.-JD
John – who is Mike Hessman who is playing first tonight? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of him.
Annie (28): Hessman playing first. They brought him up a couple of days ago.-JD
Well, we need 6 runs now and time is growing short -
BOTTOM SIXTH INNING: Beltran said he’d come around. Maybe he is. That’s his first.-JD
David Wright hustles and costs the Mets a run. Only in Flushing…
Dan (32): That’s why they are amazing.-JD
SEVENTH INNING: This is how the Mets really want to use Takahashi. If they had another starter he could go back in the pen.-JD
Re: Mike Hessman
Michael Steven Hessman
Positions: First Baseman, Third Baseman and Pinch Hitter
Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Height: 6′ 5″, Weight: 215 lb.
Born: March 5, 1978 in Fountain Valley, CA
High School: Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA)
Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 15th round of the 1996 amateur draft.
Signed June 12, 1996. (All Transactions)
Debut: August 22, 2003
Teams (by GP): Braves/Tigers/Mets 2003-2010
Good for Angel Pagan – hope someone else will do the same…
BOTTOM EIGHTH INNING: Great at-bat by Thole.-JD
Tie game. Santana off the hook.-JD
It took long enough for the rest of the team to unhook Santana, but it was worth it.
Going with K Rod a second inning to reduce the chances of having to use Coin Flip. Good idea.
Dan (40): I like it. Of course, if this goes on much longer we’ll see him. Kind of curious to hear the boos.-JD
Cardinals are blowin’ it…..ARGHHH
TENTH INNING: Send him. Reyes has to run here.-JD
Leslie (42): It has been an interesting game. Glad you’re with us tonight.-JD
Molina nailed Reyes, but he had to try to steal. It was a smart play to send him.-JD
ELEVENTH INNING: Parnell and Feliciano still available in the Mets’ pen. It might take awhile before we get to Perez.-JD
Both Braves and Phillies won tonight.-JD
I would not use interesting to describe this. How about Albert and Matt with back-to-back nothing in extra innings??? I assume you are getting thirsty…. On another note, how about the cover of SI this week?
Leslie (48): Stan the Man. One of the greatest ever. He was featured on the Mets’ broadcast earlier tonight.-JD
Ok, now top of the 12th….Night night New Yorkers, this St. Louis girl is going to bed (but of course, I’ll watch the game before turning out the light!)
Leslie … you have to hope this lasts another couple of innings. Then the Cardinals will get Oliver Perez.-JD
Valdes still available. I forgot about him.-JD
Second guess time but shouldn’t Manuel have intentionally walked Albert Pujols because he is Pujols?
Dan (53): I would think so. There are certain hitters that you should avoid if at all possible and he’s one of them. Don’t let him beat you.-JD
Howie has put this game “In The Book” = I’m too tired to say anything more -except that the best team won tonight.
Come back from an 0-6 deficit but end up losing it. This game was a microcosm of the 2010 season.
Some losses have to sting more than others and this is one of them. They fought back and had their chances to win.-JD
A QUICK WRAP/Game #101
FINAL: Cardinals 8, Mets 7 (13).
RECORD: 51-50.
THUMBNAIL ANALYSIS: The Cardinals jumped on Johan Santana for six runs in the first, but the Mets clawed their way back in the game before losing in the 13th inning.
ON THE MOUND: Santana gave up seven runs on 13 hits in 5 2/3 innings. … The bullpen was superb. … Pedro Feliciano took the loss.
AT THE PLATE: Carlos Beltran hit his first homer of the season. … Mike Hessman doubled home two runs in the first. … Angel Pagan hit a two-run homer. … Ike Davis’ two-run pinch single forced extra innings.
IN THE FIELD: Hessman played first base to give Ike Davis the game off.
LOOKING AHEAD: RA Dickey starts tomorrow afternoon.-JD
Santana showed cool under pressure. This game was very reminiscent of the old time play. Pitcher screwed up. in he stayed .. he stopped the bleeding in the first. reminds me of the Al leiter game i was subjected to way back in the Bobby V days. *sigh*
we lost that one too however it wasnt a close game like this one became.
I agree that Santana kept his cool after that first inning where he fell behind by 6 runs. Both teams seemed to lose their way after Hessman in his first Mets game at least got two runs on the board. The score of 6-2 just stayed put during the middle innings.
Not sure why Santana agreed to leave in the 7th but it was for the best. However, then the parade of pitchers began and the Mets bats woke up taking us into extra innings with a 7-7 tie. Finally with everyone involved half asleep, the Cardinals broke through in inning number 13 and won, 8-7.
We see these teams meet again for a 12:10PM game today…..
Either way the loss stings on this game. We gave up the lead and had to fight back to win in extra innings. You (Mets) came back only to lose. Hmmm… I’m getting thirsty now, John…. Let’s see who is ready for the day game only 12 hours after finishing last night.