Marlins starting pitcher Josh Johnson(4-1,2.66) continued his strong season as well as his dominance of the NY Mets , leading them to a 7-3 victory Saturday afternoon at Citifield. Johnson, who remains unbeaten in 8 career starts vs the Mets, allowed 5 hits & 2 runs in 7 innings. He struck out 5 and walked 2 for the winners. “I just go out there and battle, take it one pitch at a time,” said Johnson, who is 6-0 against the Mets, including the five-hitter he tossed in a 2-1 victory over Johan Santana on April 12. “The first inning was a little rough, but after that I settled down.”
Johnson’s mound counterpart, Mets RH Tim Redding(0-2,9.20) had a tough outing & was pounded early & often. Over his 4 + innings of work, he gave up 8 hits and 7 runs while walking and k-ing 2. Redding has struggled(10.23 in 3 starts) and Mets Manager Jerry Manuel stated post game that his rotation spot might be in jeopardy. The veteran RH did not mix words in the locker room, ”Even as professionals, there are days when you go out there and you are a little intimidated, because you know you don’t have your quality stuff,” Redding said. “You’re pitching scared in a way, just trying to do the best you can.”
Marlins OF Jeremy Hermida had a huge game(4 rbi), with a 3 run homer highlighting his 3 hits. 3b Emlio Bonifacio, SS Hanley Ramirez and 1b Jorge Cantu added 3 hits apiece to pace the Marlins attack. A Mets bright spot was the work of three relievers who followed Redding, as Sean Green, LH Ken Takahashi (3 shutout innings) and Brian Stokes all pitched well.
Star of the Game: Johnson— Some fans question whether the Wilpons really own the Mets or Johnson….. Be afraid, Be very afraid!!!
Day off: Mets superstar 3b David Wright was given his 1st day off of the 2009 season with super utility man Fernando Tatis taking his spot at 3b. Joining him where line-up regulars, 2b Luis Castillo and LF Gary Sheffield. Mets skipper Jerry Manuel had this response to questions about the make ship line-up. “I thought with the way their guy was pitching,” Manuel said, trailing off without finishing his thought. “When you’re in the situation we’re in, you need to match their pitching. That’s true in any game, but especially when you have guys sidelined like we do.”
Game Notes: CF Carlos Beltran left the game late after he was bothered by a stomach virus….The loss ended his 4 game win streak for the Mets…C Brian Schneider returned from the DL, going 1 for 3 with a run…. OFs Angel Pagan and rookie Fernando Martinez led the Mets with 2 hits. Martinez drove in his first ML rbi and made some nice plays in Right field.
Tough Day: Fans viciously booed Redding as he left the mound and cheered as Manuel came out to get him. Not a classy moive by fans booing this local product who signed here in the offseason. You want to boo someone, boo Oliver Perez!!!
Mets Lineup:
1- LF Angel Pagan
2- RF Fernando Martinez
3- CF Carlos Beltran
4- 3B Fernando Tatis
5- 1B Daniel Murphy
6- 2B Ramon Martinez
7-C Brian Schneider
8- SS Wilson Valdez
9- Pitcher
