Sunday, August 13, 2006
Nationals 2, Mets 1
Mets 6, Nationals 4
Mets 3, Nationals 1
The Mets' offense didn't have such a great weekend as they scored just ten runs in three games. That Michael Tucker wielded one of the most productive bats of the series should tell you all you need to know. But the starting pitchers had a very good weekend to get the team another series victory.
Tom Glavine began the festivities on Friday with his second consecutive good start. He lasted six innings and allowed just two runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out seven. Unfortunately he was stuck with the loss as the Mets could manage no more than a first inning solo home run by Paul Lo Duca.
John Maine was dominant at the start on Saturday, running his scoreless streak to twenty-six innings. Through three innings he'd struck out four batters and allowed just one walk. He finally gave up a run in the fourth on a Nick Johnson home run and things came undone for him in the sixth. He allowed another home run to Alfonso Soriano and exited after just five and one-third. He wound up charged with four runs on four hits and one walk, though he did strike out six. It was inevitable that he'd give up a run eventually, but even in struggling in this game, he was often impressive. He seems very capable of getting major league hitters out and deserves serious consideration for a spot in the postseason rotation.
Saturday was the best offensive day for the Mets as they put six runs on the board to get Maine off the hook. Carlos Beltran was the star of the show with three hits including a triple and a double. Jose Reyes had a triple and a walk. David Wright hit a double and Tucker somehow drew two walks.
Sunday continued the trend of pitchers reversing recent history as Steve Trachsel pitched a very good game. It was his second straight good outing after a series of unimpressive performances. He lasted six and two-thirds innings and gave up just one run on five hits and one walk, striking out four. The lone run scored on a Soriano home run.
The Mets had just four hits and two walks in this game, but they were timely enough to add up to three runs. Three Washington errors helped as well. Tucker's first home run of the season was the biggest blow of the day. Wright, Beltran and Endy Chavez had the other hits, all singles. Beltran also drew both walks.
The Mets (71-45) have stretched their division lead to fifteen games just in time for a four-game series on the road against the second-place Phillies (56-60). Pedro Martinez (9-4, 3.42), who has pitched very well in his last two starts, will take the ball in game one for the Mets. Also pitching well of late is young Cole Hamels (4-6, 4.97), who will start for Philadelphia. In his last three starts, Hamels has struck out twenty-five batters in twenty and one-third innings, walked just five and allowed just five runs. This pitching matchup would be a lot of fun to watch if it were happening in some other stadium. ¶ joe | 11:02 PM |
Mets 6, Nationals 4
Mets 3, Nationals 1
The Mets' offense didn't have such a great weekend as they scored just ten runs in three games. That Michael Tucker wielded one of the most productive bats of the series should tell you all you need to know. But the starting pitchers had a very good weekend to get the team another series victory.
Tom Glavine began the festivities on Friday with his second consecutive good start. He lasted six innings and allowed just two runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out seven. Unfortunately he was stuck with the loss as the Mets could manage no more than a first inning solo home run by Paul Lo Duca.
John Maine was dominant at the start on Saturday, running his scoreless streak to twenty-six innings. Through three innings he'd struck out four batters and allowed just one walk. He finally gave up a run in the fourth on a Nick Johnson home run and things came undone for him in the sixth. He allowed another home run to Alfonso Soriano and exited after just five and one-third. He wound up charged with four runs on four hits and one walk, though he did strike out six. It was inevitable that he'd give up a run eventually, but even in struggling in this game, he was often impressive. He seems very capable of getting major league hitters out and deserves serious consideration for a spot in the postseason rotation.
Saturday was the best offensive day for the Mets as they put six runs on the board to get Maine off the hook. Carlos Beltran was the star of the show with three hits including a triple and a double. Jose Reyes had a triple and a walk. David Wright hit a double and Tucker somehow drew two walks.
Sunday continued the trend of pitchers reversing recent history as Steve Trachsel pitched a very good game. It was his second straight good outing after a series of unimpressive performances. He lasted six and two-thirds innings and gave up just one run on five hits and one walk, striking out four. The lone run scored on a Soriano home run.
The Mets had just four hits and two walks in this game, but they were timely enough to add up to three runs. Three Washington errors helped as well. Tucker's first home run of the season was the biggest blow of the day. Wright, Beltran and Endy Chavez had the other hits, all singles. Beltran also drew both walks.
The Mets (71-45) have stretched their division lead to fifteen games just in time for a four-game series on the road against the second-place Phillies (56-60). Pedro Martinez (9-4, 3.42), who has pitched very well in his last two starts, will take the ball in game one for the Mets. Also pitching well of late is young Cole Hamels (4-6, 4.97), who will start for Philadelphia. In his last three starts, Hamels has struck out twenty-five batters in twenty and one-third innings, walked just five and allowed just five runs. This pitching matchup would be a lot of fun to watch if it were happening in some other stadium. ¶ joe | 11:02 PM |
