Astros RF Hunter Pence was a 1 man offense as Houston defeated the New York Mets 4-3 Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park in Texas. Pence hit a 3 run shot in the 1st then won the game with his solo shot in the 8th, both came at the expense of Mets ace Johan Santana. The lefty(10-7,2.97) allowed 9 hits and 4 runs while pitching 8 innings, he struck out 7 and walked 1. Mets SS Jose Reyes had a big night with 2 hits, a run, rbi, walk and stolen base while C Josh Thole added 2 hits and a run. 3B David Wright homered to tie the game in the 8th but Pence answered in the home 8th. The loss drops NY to 59-60 on the year while falling to 23-38 away from Citi Field.
K ROD SITUATION: The Mets placed closer Francisco Rodriquez on the disqualified list, meaning the club will not pay the remainder of his contract as long as he unable to play. K Rod reportedly injured his thumb in a post game altercation with his Father in Law last Wednesday night. He is due $3 million the remainder of 2010 and $11.5 in 2011, if he finishes 55 games in 2011, a $17.5 vesting option for 2012 kicks in. He pitched Saturday after being suspended for two games by the team, the club also announced Rodriquez had surgery on the ligament this afternoon. The Mets called up Ryota Igarashi from Triple A Buffalo to fill K Rod’s spot on the 25 roster. Look for the Players Association to challenge this action, STAY TUNED!
METS STARTING LINE-UP: Reyes, LF Fernando Martinez, Wright,CF Carlos Beltran, 1B Ike Davis, RF Jeff Francoeur, Thole, 2B Ruben Tejada, Pitcher
GAME NOTES: LF Jason Bay resumed running and is expected to return sometime in September according to veteran WFAN Mets reporter Ed Coleman…Santana threw 23 of 32 first pitch strikes… Reyes stolen base was his 24th of the season… A night of firsts for the Astros: RH Mark Melancon earned the 1st win in 16 career appearances while RH Wilton Lopez recorded his 1st save…. C Rod Barajas(Oblique) is hitting .250 with a homer run and 5 rbi in 4 rehab games in Single A St Lucie… Ex Met Nelson Figueroa(3-1,3.19) started for the Astros, allowing 4 hits and 2 runs(1 earned) over 5 innings. He struck out 4 and walked 3
NEXT GAME:
WEDNESDAY, Game 3 of 4 vs the Astros in Houston
8:05 pm
Astros RH Brett Myers(8-7,3.13) vs. Mets RH R.A. Dickey(8-5,2.43)
