June 20--Flushing, NY. Johan Santana pitched like his usual self for the first time in his last three starts but it still was not enough. In the 7th inning, Rays first baseman Carlos Pena homered to break the 1-1 tie and that would be enough to win. Ben Zobrist added a solo shot of his own in the 9th to pad the lead. JP Howell pitched a perfect 9th for the save (4).
Santana ended up pitching 7.1 innings allowing 2 runs on 3 hits. He struck out 3 and walked 3. After a rain delay he gave way to Bobby Parnell. “Last game was just a bad game. We weren’t aggressive, we weren’t locating pitches the way they’re supposed to be located. We made some adjustments,” Santana said. “The release point, I think that was the difference (Source: Mike Fitzpatrick, AP Baseball Writer - http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap?gid=290620121).”
Two doubles by Ryan Church and Omir Santos accounted for the Mets lone run.
Thoughts: It was very encouraging to see Johan Santana pitch well after the last two games he pitched were bad. The last game of the Yankees series was painful to watch. I don't remember the last time Santana gave up anywhere near 9 runs like he gave up to the Yankees.
Bobby Parnell was lifted again without retiring a batter. Maybe he needs to relax and pitch in some less stressful situations so that he can right himself again. Sean Green looks like a completely different pitcher these days than the one that constantly was booed at Citi Field early in the year. It is important for every pitching staff to have a reliable back of the bullpen which Green has proven to be recently. Hopefully this will keep up for the long term. Pedro feliciano has been just as effective against lefties. His only hicup came the other day. He and Green seem to be to go to combination leading up t K-Rod for Jerry Manuel's team.
It is also good to see Ryan Church beginnig to hit again. Especially with Reyes and Delgado on the shelf, it is important for players like Church to be able to contribute on a daily basis.
Overall, the Mets have been an inconsistant team lately. Yes it is partly due to the depleted lineup but it is also due players not always stepping up and the starting pitching bieng inconsistant. Maybe a minor trade for a bat is necessary. The Mets can ill afford to fall any farther behind the Phillies. As we have seen over the last few seasons, every game means something for this team. The injury to Phillies OF Raul Ibanez (who has having some kind of year at age 37) could be a window of opportunity that the Mets need to take full advantage of.
Finally, Fernando Nieve has been a very pleasant surprise. 3 runs over 2 starts and a relief appearance (2.08 ERA) has been more than anyone could expect from Nieve. Hopefully Nieve dosn't turn into another Alay Soler and run ut of steam after 5 or so starts. With John Maine on the DL, hopefully Nieve continues to produce. It will only be a help to the Mets.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment