Saturday, July 01, 2006
Yankees 2, Mets 0
Mets 8, Yankees 3
The Mets' offense continued to struggle on Friday, but things picked up on Saturday. They got good pitching from an unexpected source in each game. So now all that remains is to win this series tomorrow night to return things to normal.
The Mets could only manage one hit and one walk against five Yankee pitchers in a rain-delayed game on Friday. Endy Chavez had the hit, a single, and Jose Valentin drew the walk, both against Ron Villone. Chavez was subsequently picked off of first base and Valentin was caught trying to steal second. It was an entirely inept performance by the Met hitters.
Orlando Hernandez certainly did what he could to keep the Mets in the game. He gave up two runs prior to the sixty-three minute delay in the fourth inning but returned afterwards to finish seven strong innings. He allowed seven hits and one walk and struck out three. This is the second time in three starts that El Duque has allowed just two runs over seven innings and yet lost. Duaner Sanchez allowed a hit and an intentional walk and struck out one in a scoreless eighth.
Steve Trachsel pitched on Saturday and was not quite as good as Hernandez, but still got the job done. He pitched six innings and gave up just two runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out three. Fortunately for him and the Mets, they only had to deal with Randy Johnson.
They started off with two runs on three hits in the first inning and wound up scoring eight against the once intimidating lefty. Jose Reyes had two hits and scored two runs. Paul Lo Duca had three hits including a double. David Wright doubled and drew two walks. Ramon Castro, starting at catcher while Lo Duca DHed, had two hits. And Eli Marrero hit his sixth home run of the year.
For some reason Willie Randolph felt the need to use some of his best relievers to preserve the Mets' six-run lead. Aaron Heilman, who had allowed just one run over hits last six innings pitched, pitched two in this game and gave up a solo home run to Alex Rodriguez. He allowed one other hit and a walk and struck out two. With the lead now down to five, Willie Randolph of course went to his closer. This outing wet a bit better than the last time Randolph brought in Billy Wagner to preserve a big lead against the Yankees. He struck out the first two batters he faced and retired the third on a ground out to first, though he did appear to hurt his leg covering the bag in a scary moment. But a minute later he was walking around okay, so it's probably nothing.
The final game of this season series will be tomorrow night in prime time. Alay Soler (2-2, 4.68) will try to rebound after his absolute dismantling at the hands of the Red Sox. Jaret Wright (4-5, 4.18) will start for the Yankees, so I don't think the Mets have to worry about being shut out again. ¶ joe | 5:44 PM |
Mets 8, Yankees 3
The Mets' offense continued to struggle on Friday, but things picked up on Saturday. They got good pitching from an unexpected source in each game. So now all that remains is to win this series tomorrow night to return things to normal.
The Mets could only manage one hit and one walk against five Yankee pitchers in a rain-delayed game on Friday. Endy Chavez had the hit, a single, and Jose Valentin drew the walk, both against Ron Villone. Chavez was subsequently picked off of first base and Valentin was caught trying to steal second. It was an entirely inept performance by the Met hitters.
Orlando Hernandez certainly did what he could to keep the Mets in the game. He gave up two runs prior to the sixty-three minute delay in the fourth inning but returned afterwards to finish seven strong innings. He allowed seven hits and one walk and struck out three. This is the second time in three starts that El Duque has allowed just two runs over seven innings and yet lost. Duaner Sanchez allowed a hit and an intentional walk and struck out one in a scoreless eighth.
Steve Trachsel pitched on Saturday and was not quite as good as Hernandez, but still got the job done. He pitched six innings and gave up just two runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out three. Fortunately for him and the Mets, they only had to deal with Randy Johnson.
They started off with two runs on three hits in the first inning and wound up scoring eight against the once intimidating lefty. Jose Reyes had two hits and scored two runs. Paul Lo Duca had three hits including a double. David Wright doubled and drew two walks. Ramon Castro, starting at catcher while Lo Duca DHed, had two hits. And Eli Marrero hit his sixth home run of the year.
For some reason Willie Randolph felt the need to use some of his best relievers to preserve the Mets' six-run lead. Aaron Heilman, who had allowed just one run over hits last six innings pitched, pitched two in this game and gave up a solo home run to Alex Rodriguez. He allowed one other hit and a walk and struck out two. With the lead now down to five, Willie Randolph of course went to his closer. This outing wet a bit better than the last time Randolph brought in Billy Wagner to preserve a big lead against the Yankees. He struck out the first two batters he faced and retired the third on a ground out to first, though he did appear to hurt his leg covering the bag in a scary moment. But a minute later he was walking around okay, so it's probably nothing.
The final game of this season series will be tomorrow night in prime time. Alay Soler (2-2, 4.68) will try to rebound after his absolute dismantling at the hands of the Red Sox. Jaret Wright (4-5, 4.18) will start for the Yankees, so I don't think the Mets have to worry about being shut out again. ¶ joe | 5:44 PM |
