OFs Jason Bay and Jeff Francoeur produced rbi doubles in consecutive innings leading the suddenly surging New York Mets to a 3-1 win over the Atlanta Braves Saturday afternoon at Citi Field. NY improved to -1 on their current 10 game homestand and have won three in a row for the first time since May 2009. LH Jon Niese started the game and was solid but struggled with his control.(5 walks in 5 and a third innings) Niese allowed a run on 5 hits while throwing 116 pitches.(67 strikes) C Henry Blanco added a sacrifice fly in the 7th while Bay, who has come on in the last week, had 3 hits. The Mets stand at 9-9 with the win and have clinched their 2nd consecutive series.
MAINE MEDICAL: RH SP John Maine, who left his start Friday night in the 4th inning with pain in his non pitching elbow, expects to make his next start Wednesday vs the Los Angeles Dodgers. If he cannot go, the team would like to start Hisanori Takahashi to avoid a roster move, according to ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin.
REYES RIGHT: SS Jose Reyes, who changes this entire team when he is healthy, made a great diving catch to save a run in the 8th.
FERNANDO!!!: Fernando Nieve appeared in his 12th game of the young season, throwing to 2 batters in the 8th.
WRIGHT WRONG: 3b David Wright had another tough day with the bat, going 0 for 4 with an inning ending double play in the 8th.
BLAZING BLANCO: The Mets backup catcher stole a base for the 1st time since 2001!
CITI SYTLE: You can see in the early season that the Mets hitters have figured out how to play their new ball park and more importantly, WHERE(Gaps to both Right and Left, Corners to poles) to hit the ball. Reyes makes a huge difference obviously but a guy like Bay, who played in a stadium with a HUGE outfield in Pittsburgh, can really become a weapon in Citi Field. Others like Francoeur and CF Angel Pagan seem to have made adjustments as well.
MANNYS REVENGE: RH RP Manny Acosta earned the win vs his former team for his first victory since beating the Mets last July 16th. NY claimed Acosta off of waivers March 30th and today marked his 2nd appearance since being recalled April 21st.
BAD BRAVES: Lots of sloppy play in the first two games for a Bobby Cox led team. I know they have some new players but you are used to seeing a certain level of play from the Atlanta Braves. Silly, stupid mistakes are not part of that. Bobby Cox has to be steaming privately. Maybe retirement wasn’t such a bad idea!
JACKED JURRJENS: Atlanta starter Jair Jurrjens(0-1,6.06) has struggled early in the year but had owned the Mets previously, going 6-1 with a 2.44 ERA in 8 starts. Good omen that NY found a way to beat him!
.500 FEELS GOOD: Team is at .500 for the first time since starting 2-2.
CORA CAN: 2b Luis Castillo was given a day off to rest with super sub Alex Cora taking his spot in the field and in the batting order.(2nd)
FUNNY GAME: For the 1st 2 weeks of the season, the Mets presented closer Francisco Rodriquez with 1 save opportunity. Today he notched his 3rd save in as many days.
NEXT GAME:
SUNDAY,series finale vs the Braves at Citi Field, Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN
8:10 pm
Braves RH Tommy Hanson(1-1,2.81) vs. Mets RH Mike Pelfrey(3-0,0.86)
