PH Cory Sullivan’s 2 run pinch hit single scored the winning runs in the bottom of the ninth, leading the visiting New York Mets(66-88) to a 6-5 come from behind victory over the Florida Marlins(82-72), doing some heavy damage to the fish’ postseason bid. The loss now puts the Marlins 5 games behind the NL wild card leading Colorado Rockies, who staged another walk off win Friday night. “The hill gets a little steeper but we have a team that is resilient,” Florida manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “We are in a situation that we have to win every game and get help.”
Both the Mets and Marlins got solid pitching performances from their starters as NY veteran Tim Redding and talented Florida power arm Ricky Nolasco pitched into the 6th. (Redding thew 6+ , Nolasco 7) However, each allowed a 3 run shot to the other teams best player with Florida’s SS Hanley Ramirez( 5th inning) and Mets RF Jeff Francoeur(2nd) both doing the deed. Redding(3-6,5.29) allowed 6 hits and 4 runs while walking 4 and K-ing 3. Nolasco,who left in line to get the win, gave up 4 hits and the 3 runs on the homer while striking out 7 and walking 1.
The game came down to the bullpens and New York’s relief corps, a major culprit in the collapse of 2008, won out. After Florida’s INF Jorge Cantu drove home two runs in the 7th, the Mets caught a break to cut the score to 5-4 in the 8th. A passed ball on a strikeout by 3B David Wright allowed C Brian Schneider to score from 3rd. This set the tone for the heroics of Sullivan in the 9th. After Florida closer Leon Nunez(4-6,4.23,24 saves) allowed two singles to start the frame, PH Jeremy Reed drew a walk. Sullivan then singled home two runs for the win. Mets closer Francisco Rodriquez allowed a single in the 9th but retired Ramirez for the 2nd out and then K-ed Canti swinging for a nice 6-5 victory and his 34th save.
Star of the Game: The Mets team- Showed a ton of heart and guts in this game, two qualities that have been questioned by many in the industry. Many teams would have lied down in this spot, you have to wonder if some of the vets here- Wright and Beltran in particular- have long memories about the Marlins partying like it was 1999 at their expense the past two seasons. “We needed a win like that regardless of the role we’re playing,” Mets manager Jerry Manuel said. “We needed to continue to show the effort and every now and then you’ll get a big hit.”
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 Anderson Hernandez
9- Pitcher
Game Notes: Interesting report on Matthew Cerrone’s metsblog.com about the lack of home runs at Citi-Field. The opposition has hit 81 homers, tied for 5th in the National League. Interesting that the team has given up 71 bombs on the road. Goes to show you the impact that long term injuries to 1B Carlos Delgado and CF Carlos Beltran combined with a down year from 3B David Wright can do to power numbers. As Matthew points out, players hit homers, parks are part of it but power hitters hit them anywhere. See Mark Reynolds, Adam Dunn and Ryan Howard, who all hit moon shots at Citi this year. Heck, before his injury, Delgado hit 2 or 3 rockets ….Wright was 0 for 4 striking out each at bat. He is hitting .224 with 29 Ks since his return from his August beaning September 1…. Ex Met reliever Octavio Dotel would like to return to NY and prefers pitching for the Mets over the Yankees, according to a report in the Chicago Sun-Times. In the last two seasons, he has posted a 7-7 record with a 3.58 ERA in 133 appearances while K-ing 166 batters in 128 innings… Pagan, Murphy and Francoeur had 3 hits apiece to pace NY…Rookie Bobby Parnell who just returned to the pen, earned the win with a clean 8th. He is now 4-8 with a 5.40 ERA. KEEP HIM IN THE PEN, GUYS!!!!… Nunez blown save was his 7th of the year
Take That!: “Knowing that the Marlins have knocked out the Mets out of the race the last two years it’s an extra benefit,” Sullivan said.
Next Game:
Saturday, Game 2 of 3 vs the division rival Florida Marlins at
Land Shark Stadium in Miami
7:10 pm
Mets RH John Maine(6-5,4.13) vs. Marlins LH Sean West(7-6,4.85)
