Monday, April 17, 2006
Mets 4, Braves 3
Apparently this Mets team is so good that it can beat the Braves with a third of its lineup tied behind its back. Endy Chavez joined fellow automatic out Anderson Hernandez in the lineup due to Carlos Beltran's stiff hamstring. And when Cliff Floyd strained his rib cage doubling and scoring in the fourth, he was replaced by Jose Valentin. The Mets had sent Victor Diaz down to the minors earlier in the day to call up some bullpen help. Somehow they wound up with Pedro Feliciano instead. But anyway, with those three battling Pedro Martinez for the title of Lineup's Worst Hitter, the Mets were still able to earn their tenth victory of the season.
Martinez wasn't at his sharpest, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks through six and two-thirds innings, though one of those walks was intentional and he did strike out eight. But he got the big outs when he needed to and got good relief support from Duaner Sanchez and Billy Wagner. Sanchez pitched one and one-third perfect innings, striking out two. And Wagner had a very good ninth to save the game, striking out two, though he did hit one batter with a slider that got away from him.
All of that was good enough thanks largely to three Met hitters who had big games within that incomplete lineup. Xavier Nady started things off with his fourth home run and had two singles as well. Paul Lo Duca also had three hits including a double. Carlos Delgado launched another home run, his fifth, and also had a single and a walk in the game. Having a first baseman who can hit is an unfamiliar experience for Mets fans and I have to say it is quite enjoyable.
Somehow David Wright went hitless in four at bats and hit into a double play. I don't quite understand how this could have occurred and I think it's best that I not dwell on it, lest it give me nightmares. Instead I will note that Jose Reyes drew his fourth walk of the season, something he did not do until May 8th last year. I am very optimistic that he will improve upon 2005's .300 OBP.
The Mets now have a five game lead in the division after just twelve games, which is apparently a first in baseball history. As if to flaunt their superiority, they will send out Victor Zambrano (1-0, 5.40) to pitch tomorrow. Kyle Davies (0-1, 8.38) will start for the Braves against a lineup that will probably feature Nady as its most accomplished outfielder. Let's see how the Mets manage to win anyway. ¶ joe | 10:30 PM |
Apparently this Mets team is so good that it can beat the Braves with a third of its lineup tied behind its back. Endy Chavez joined fellow automatic out Anderson Hernandez in the lineup due to Carlos Beltran's stiff hamstring. And when Cliff Floyd strained his rib cage doubling and scoring in the fourth, he was replaced by Jose Valentin. The Mets had sent Victor Diaz down to the minors earlier in the day to call up some bullpen help. Somehow they wound up with Pedro Feliciano instead. But anyway, with those three battling Pedro Martinez for the title of Lineup's Worst Hitter, the Mets were still able to earn their tenth victory of the season.
Martinez wasn't at his sharpest, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks through six and two-thirds innings, though one of those walks was intentional and he did strike out eight. But he got the big outs when he needed to and got good relief support from Duaner Sanchez and Billy Wagner. Sanchez pitched one and one-third perfect innings, striking out two. And Wagner had a very good ninth to save the game, striking out two, though he did hit one batter with a slider that got away from him.
All of that was good enough thanks largely to three Met hitters who had big games within that incomplete lineup. Xavier Nady started things off with his fourth home run and had two singles as well. Paul Lo Duca also had three hits including a double. Carlos Delgado launched another home run, his fifth, and also had a single and a walk in the game. Having a first baseman who can hit is an unfamiliar experience for Mets fans and I have to say it is quite enjoyable.
Somehow David Wright went hitless in four at bats and hit into a double play. I don't quite understand how this could have occurred and I think it's best that I not dwell on it, lest it give me nightmares. Instead I will note that Jose Reyes drew his fourth walk of the season, something he did not do until May 8th last year. I am very optimistic that he will improve upon 2005's .300 OBP.
The Mets now have a five game lead in the division after just twelve games, which is apparently a first in baseball history. As if to flaunt their superiority, they will send out Victor Zambrano (1-0, 5.40) to pitch tomorrow. Kyle Davies (0-1, 8.38) will start for the Braves against a lineup that will probably feature Nady as its most accomplished outfielder. Let's see how the Mets manage to win anyway. ¶ joe | 10:30 PM |
