Mets RH Mike Pelfrey(6-3,4.26) pitched into the 8th inning while RF Ryan Church drove in the games only run in the 6th, providing New York(38-39) with a much needed 1-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday afternoon at Miller Park in Wisconsin. The win broke a 5 game winless streak a day after Mets skipper Jerry Manuel held a close door meeting for 28 minutes after Tuesday nights loss. Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo(8-5,2.75) was outstanding and had the Mets off balance all game. Over 7 innings, he allowed 5 hits and 1 run while striking out 12 and walking 2.
Pelfrey’s start was outstanding and gave a huge lift to his struggling, wounded team that has slumped with a huge list of stars on the disabled list. Over 7 and 2 third innings, he allowed 6 hits and walked 2 while striking out 6. He threw 107 pitches and 69 strikes while forcing 11 ground balls and 5 fly outs. He was the only Mets player not be at the team meeting(Next days starter typically leaves the game early) but his Manager did not mind. “I told him, ‘If he’d been at the meeting, he would have thrown a no-hitter,’” Manuel joked.
Manuel initially planned on resting star 3B David Wright, who has struggled lately and looks tired. He lobbied with his manager to play but K-ed 4 times and demonstrated frustration with his play twice(threw helmet and glove) . “He’s still part of the leadership, and they need to see him out there like that,” Manuel said. “After what we’ve kind of struggled with, it’s important that we see him out there.” The Franchise asked the skipper to play with the team slumping and needing its lone star to step up, ”There’s some days where he tell you you’re not playing, and there’s some days where he kind of asks you,” Wright said.
NY scored the games only run in the 6th when 2B Luis Castillo hit a ground rule double on a fan interference play. After Wright struck out, Church singled past Milwaukee 2B Craig Counsell to plate the run. Milwaukee’s best scoring chance came after 1B Prince Fielder singled and was balked to 2nd by Pelfrey.(His 5th of the season) He was then tagged out on missed bunt play at 3rd. Pelfrey then escaped the inning with a ground out and K.
Pelfrey began to tire a bit in the 8th as he allowed a single and walk with two outs. Manuel summoned RH Sean Green(7 holds,5.19) got out of the jam on a fielders choice to 3rd. Mets closer Francisco Rodriquez(1-2,1.19) allowed a single to Brewers superstar LF Ryan Braun but retired the other 3 Milwaukee hitters to record his 21st save and secure a huge win for the New York Mets.
Star of the Game: Pelfrey- Just what the doctor ordered! This talented righty stepped up huge and battled one of the better pitchers in the NL when his teammates needed him!
Mets starting line-up:
1- SS Alex Cora
2- 2B Luis Castillo
3- 3B David Wright
4- RF Ryan Church
5- LF Nick Evans
6- 1B Daniel Murphy
7- CF Fernando Martinez
8- C Brian Schneider
9- Pitcher
Game Notes: OF Gary Sheffield was given the day off…. Mets stole 3 bases,2 by Castillo … NY earned their 3rd 1-0 win of the 2009 campaign(2nd vs Milwaukee) , after not doing it once in 2008… OF Jeremy Reed played left in the 9th for Evans.. Pelfrey’s win was his 2nd in 10 starts
Bus bond: The entire team took the bus from the team hotel prior the game. “A little bonding time with everybody,” starter Mike Pelfrey said.
Next Game:
Thursday, Make up of Postponed June 3rd game at Pittsburgh vs the Pirates at PNC Park
12:35 pm
Mets RH Tim Redding(1-3,6.35) vs Pirates LH Paul Maholm(5-4,4.35)
