Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Mets 4, Padres 3
This Mike Piazza business is getting out of hand. One night after returning to New York and thrilling the fans with a meaningless seventh-inning single, the Met legend had the audacity to try to win the game for the Padres. First he hit a solo home run against Pedro Martinez in the fourth inning. Given that the Mets were up by four runs at the time, the home run and subsequent curtain call made for a touching moment. But hitting another home run in the sixth to cut the lead to just two was simply uncalled for. If he has the nerve to actually win a game for the Padres tomorrow, my patience with the best offensive player in the history of the Mets may well run out.
Pedro had quite a bit more luck against Piazza's new teammates, however. He pitched seven and one-third innings and allowed just one hit aside from the two home runs. He struck out just two but got sixteen ground ball outs. He allowed four walks, two of which in the eighth led to his exit. But Aaron Heilman was able to get out of the inning allowing just one intentional walk to preserve the lead.
The current Mets did not hit any home runs, but ten hits including three doubles allowed them to put four runs on the board. Eight of the hits and all four of the runs came in the first three innings. Jose Reyes had two hits including a double, as did Jose Valentin. David Wright had the third double. Endy Chavez hit three singles. Lastings Milledge drew two walks, one of which was intentional.
The Padres were not through hitting home runs when Pedro exited, as Josh Barfield took Billy Wagner deep with one out in the ninth. Wagner finished off the ninth without further incident, though. He struck out pinch hitter Ben Johnson to end the game.
This series will conclude tomorrow afternoon, perhaps meaning a day off for these teams' starting catchers. Orlando Hernandez (7-8, 4.97), who has pitched at least adequately in each of his last three starts, will take the mound for the Mets. Chris Young (9-5, 3.78), who gave up five runs in five innings to the Nationals last time out, goes for San Diego. ¶ joe | 11:31 PM |
This Mike Piazza business is getting out of hand. One night after returning to New York and thrilling the fans with a meaningless seventh-inning single, the Met legend had the audacity to try to win the game for the Padres. First he hit a solo home run against Pedro Martinez in the fourth inning. Given that the Mets were up by four runs at the time, the home run and subsequent curtain call made for a touching moment. But hitting another home run in the sixth to cut the lead to just two was simply uncalled for. If he has the nerve to actually win a game for the Padres tomorrow, my patience with the best offensive player in the history of the Mets may well run out.
Pedro had quite a bit more luck against Piazza's new teammates, however. He pitched seven and one-third innings and allowed just one hit aside from the two home runs. He struck out just two but got sixteen ground ball outs. He allowed four walks, two of which in the eighth led to his exit. But Aaron Heilman was able to get out of the inning allowing just one intentional walk to preserve the lead.
The current Mets did not hit any home runs, but ten hits including three doubles allowed them to put four runs on the board. Eight of the hits and all four of the runs came in the first three innings. Jose Reyes had two hits including a double, as did Jose Valentin. David Wright had the third double. Endy Chavez hit three singles. Lastings Milledge drew two walks, one of which was intentional.
The Padres were not through hitting home runs when Pedro exited, as Josh Barfield took Billy Wagner deep with one out in the ninth. Wagner finished off the ninth without further incident, though. He struck out pinch hitter Ben Johnson to end the game.
This series will conclude tomorrow afternoon, perhaps meaning a day off for these teams' starting catchers. Orlando Hernandez (7-8, 4.97), who has pitched at least adequately in each of his last three starts, will take the mound for the Mets. Chris Young (9-5, 3.78), who gave up five runs in five innings to the Nationals last time out, goes for San Diego. ¶ joe | 11:31 PM |
