John Maine pitched 6 strong but was bitten by the team wide injury bug in the 7th, helping the NY Mets defeat the Florida Marlins 3-2 Sunday afternoon at Citifield. The runs were produced by rbi doubles from C Omir Santos, RF Fernando Martinez and CF Angel Pagan. 3b David Wright made a great diving catch & threw the advancing runner out for a huge rally killing double play. The win capped a 19-9 month of May and NY has won 11 of 14 at their new stadium.
The Mets played without superstar CF Carlos Beltran, who has the MLB wide stomach virus. He appears to have spread the same illness to his starting pitcher!!! Maine(5-3,3.75), who threw up between innings, threw 6 shutout innings and used only 82 pitches. He felt better when he realized what NY has in the pen to pick him and the other pitchers up.“It’s something that came on this morning. About the third inning I really started feeling it. I tried as hard as I can trying to keep it down and I just couldn’t after the sixth inning,” Maine said. “I think I still could have pitched, but then again, why take that risk when you’ve got such a good bullpen?”
Maine’s words could not be driven home any better as the Mets pen blew away the Marlins. LH Pedro Feliciano pitched a strong 7th and after J.J> Putz struggled in the 8th, Mets Manager Jerry Manuel called on hard throwing rookie Bobby Parnell(10 holds, 2.11) in the 8th. The righty escaped with a 1 run lead after a huge K and fly out. Closer Francisco Rodriquez entered and was dominant. He struck out the side(2 swinging) and is now 14 for 14 in save opportunities. The win puts the Mets at 28-21.
Star of the Game: The Mets….Seriously, this team deserves praise. Look at who and what they are putting on the field and you tell me this is the same old Mets from 07-08. HEART AND GUTS!!!
Ollie, Ollie,Ollie: Beleaguered Mets LH Oliver Perez tweaked his knee in his rehab start Tuesday and an MRI revealed tendinitis Saturday in NY. He scheduled start Sunday was cancelled and he has reported to Port St. Lucie for extended spring training and more rehab.
Game Notes: Pagan left in the 4th with a strained groin, Jeremy Reed took over in CF. Manuel does not think the DL will be an option at this time but he feels Angel could miss 2-3 days….Feliciano has not allowed an earned run in 13 appearances, which spans over 10 innings. He pitched a perfect 7th… Maine has a 5-1 record with a 2.21 era in 9 career starts vs the Marlins
Boo U: Shame on fans for being key set-up man J.J Putz, who is one of the better guys in MLB. Guy battles and pitches hurt, you could do a lot worse.
It’s the Pitching, Stupid!!!: After scoring 3 runs or less in four straight games, the Mets went 5-1 in their 6 game homestand. Hats off to Manuel, his staff and this beaten up crew! The Franchise beemed like a proud papa post game, “It’s obviously been a month where we’ve had some injuries and guys haven’t felt 100 percent — or anywhere near 100 percent,” Wright said. “To go out there and fight through it and to have the success we’ve had is pretty impressive, and I think everybody should be very proud of that.”
Mets Line-up:
1- CF Angel Pagan(Jeremy Reed
2-2B Luis Castillo
3- 3B David Wright
4- LF Gary Sheffield
5- 1B Daniel Murphy
6- RF Fernando Martinez
7- C Omir Santos
8- SS Wilson Valdez
9- Pitcher
Next Game:
Monday. start a 3 game series at PNC Park vs the Pirates
7:05
Mets RH Livian Hernandez(4-1,4.28) vs Pirates RH Ian Snell(1-6,5.43)
