The Mets offense finally came alive, hitting 4 home runs(2 apiece from C Rod Barajas and RF Jeff Francoeur) while Mike Pelfrey pitched 6 strong innings, leading New York to a 8-2 win over the Washington Nationals. The win evens the Mets record at 2-2 and the club pounded out 12 hits.
PLEASING PELFREY: In my Mets season preview I talked about the need for 2 starting pitchers not named Johan Santana having to step up and pitch well. Jon Niese lost but pitched well Thursday, while John Maine was OK Wednesday. Mike Pelfrey, who struggled like most of the Mets in 2009, was very good Friday. Over 6 innings, he allowed 4 hits and 2 runs while walking and K-ing 4. The big righty threw 16 first pitch strikes out of 26 batters faced while throwing 94 pitches(57 strikes) total. I know it is one turn thru but 2 of the 3 starters look promising which brings us to Saturday’s starter: Oliver Perez.
METS MASH: In this game, the Mets matched their homer total at Citifield for the first EIGHTEEN games at their new park in 2009!!!!! Only CF Angel Pagan hit 2 in the same game last year but one of those was inside the park. St Louis Cardinals superstar Albert Pujols and Arizona Diamondback Mark Reynolds(44 bombs in 09) are among the handful of players to do it. Amazing to consider the Mets hit 49 the entire season in Citifield in 2009!!!
REYES RETURN: SS Jose Reyes worked out before the game and all systems are go for his return Saturday. He will start at SS and bat 1st, according to Mets Manager Jerry Manuel.
PLEASING PEN: The bullpen continues to pitch well with Hisanori Takahashi, Fernando Nieve and Jenrry Mejia combining to allow only a walk over the final 3 frames. You want a great stat? 1st pitch strikes: Hisanori(3/3), Nieve(2/4) and Mejia(2/3). If the Mets continue to get solid contributions from their remade pen, this team will contend.
WRIGHT WRONGED: 3B David Wright crushed a pitch in the 7th that had homer written all over it. Unfortunately, it was about 2 feet short and the Franchise had to settle for a double. The Mets players had some fun at the expense of their leader, “They got on him pretty good,” Manuel said.”I think I just hit it a little too high,” Wright said. “I’m glad Jeff was able to go deep right after that and show me up.”Said Francoeur: “David, by far, hit the furthest ball tonight. He smoked that ball.He got it up above the stadium and we hit line drives,” he said. “Wright’s look on his face was priceless.”
ROOKIE RUBEN: INF Ruben Tejada collected his major league hit in the 8th inning and has displayed some great fielding instincts in his 1st week in the Majors. He will be sent down to the minors for seasoning but this kid will be a huge asset going forward.
ALEX ASSISTS: Veteran INF Alex Cora made 2 huge defensive plays when this game was still in doubt at 2nd base. With Reyes returning, he will fit the role he is best suited for: Super utility man.
WICKED WEATHER: Very tough conditions in Queens after some unseasonably warm weather earlier in the week. 50 degree temperatures and wind so strong you saw food wrappers blowing all over the park, had both starting pitchers blowing on their hands. For the elements both clubs had to deal with a reasonably well played game.
GAME NOTES: Regular 2B Luis Castillo missed the game with a calf issue, not considered to be serious…. Wright, Francoeur and Barajas led the 12 hit attack with 12 hits apiece…. Angel Pagan started in CF and went 1 for 4 with an rbi and walk
NEXT GAME:
Saturday, Game 2 of 3 series vs the Nationals at Citifield
1:10 pm
Washinghton LH John Lannan(0-1, 12.27) vs Mets LH Oliver Perez(1st start)
