Atlanta Braves superstar 3B Chipper Jones homered and drove in 4 runs leading a 10 hit attack, as the visiting Halos crushed the New York Mets 11-3 Monday night at Citi-Field. OFs Garrett Anderson and Matt Diaz also homered for Atlanta(80-70), winners of 9 of 11 and 6 straight vs the Mets(65-86). 2B Luis Castillo and 1B Daniel Murphy(homer) led NY with 2 hits apiece. Braves veteran RH Derek Lowe(15-9) pitched 5 innings for the win, allowing 3 runs and 6 hits while K-ing 5.
Mets starter Pat Misch was hit hard and often and gone midway thru the 2nd inning. He allowed 7 hits and 8 runs over 1 and a third innings, he walked 1 and strike out 1. “I really threw bad pitches,” Misch said. “Just elevated, too much plate. The last two starts I haven’t pitched down low.” RH Lance Broadway finished the inning and tossed the 3rd, he allowed the final 3 Braves runs. Rookie Tobi Stoner then pitched 2 clean innings with Bobby Parnell(1 frame), Ken Takahashi(1 inning) and Brian Stokes(2) followed with 6 shutout innings.
One positive for NY? The play of 1B Daniel Murphy, who is hitting .358(19-53) in his last 14 games. He has 3 homers and 12 rbi in those contests, He is skipper is noticing.”I like the way Daniel Murphy is swinging the bat,” said manager Jerry Manuel, searching for something positive in New York’s latest loss. “He’s really coming on.”
Star of the Game: Chipper Jones-Has 42 homers vs the Mets and is tied with another Mets killer, ex Phillie Pat Burrell, for the 5th most bombs vs NY
Mets starting line-up:
1- LF Angel Pagan
2- 2B Luis Castillo
3- 3B David Wright
4- CF Carlos Beltran
5- 1B Daniel Murphy
6- RF Jeff Francoeur
7- C Josh Thole
8- SS Wilson Valdez
9- Pitcher
Game Notes: Braves did not have a hit after the 3rd inning… Murphy is hitting .304 in September. He is also tied with St. Louis Cardinals superstar 1B Albert Pujols for the most extra base hits in September….Mets are 5-11 vs. Atlanta this season and have been outscored 106-65 in the 16 games…. Jones, who should be an easy Hall of Famer, carries the following career numbers vs NY in 203 games: .324 batting average, 42 homers and 133 rbis. He hit 19 homers at the Mets former home, Shea Stadium,his highest total in any park.. Manuel pulled Castillo, Wright and Beltran with the game out of hand. Luis Left in the 4th, David in the 6th and Beltran in the 7th.. Misch reportedly is in danger of losing his rotation spot. Broadway or Stoner would be the leading candidates to take his slot.
Next Game:
Tuesday, game 2 of 3 game set vs. the Atlanta Braves at Citi-Field
7:10 pm
Mets RH Nelson Figueroa(2-6,5.21) vs. Braves RH Jair Jurrjens(12-10,2.75)
