Mets ace lefty Johan Santana battled control issues early but overcame them, leading the NY Mets to a huge 3-2 victory over the rival St. Louis Cardinals. The injury depleted Mets put together a three run fourth inning vs Cards ace righty Chris Carpenter(5-2,1.78) hi-lighted by rookie 1B Nick Evans two out two run double. Mets killer St. Louis C Yadier Molina was the only player to have 2 hits. The win gave the NY consecutive victories for the first time in 16 days while they clinched a series win for the first time since early June.(3-1).
Santana had a rough time early, going to 3-0 counts on 4 of the first 11 batters. He was having issues with his fastball, during the inning break he went to the clubhouse and watched some video. He changed his mechanics and the old Johan was back. He went 7 while allowing 7 hits and 3 walks. He was charged with 2 runs(1 earned) while K-ing 3. Molina got him for an rbi single in the first but he escaped further damage. A key moment in the contest featured a showdown between Santana vs Cardinals superstar 1B Albert Pujols with the bases loaded in the 2nd with 2 out. Pujols fly-ed out the left to end the threat. “He just got himself out,” Santana said.
Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter was also outstanding but was done in by one bad inning. Over 7 innings, he was touched for only 4 hits and 3 runs with no walks and 5 Ks. He needed only 82 pitches(64 strikes) to finnish his day. The Mets put together all 4 hits vs Carpenter in the fourth, with 2B Luis Castillo and 3B David Wright getting back to back singles to start the frame. After a grounder moved both over, LF Fernando Tatis singled in Castillo. CF Fernando Martinez grounded out and the runners advanced another base. Rookie 1B Nick Evans hit a double deep to right to cap the Mets offense and put them up 3-1. Mets skipper Jerry Manuel has a simple message for his recent call-up, “He keep hitting, he keep playing,” Manuel said.
St. Louis scored their 2nd run vs Santana with a clutch 2 out hit from Joe Thurston in the 6th. Santana got thru the 7th and LH Pedro Feliciano(2.61,14 holds) followed with a strong 7th. Closer Francisco Rodriquez made it interesting in the 9th due to some questionable ball and strike calls but retired Molina on a line out to defensive replacement Jeremy Reed in left to end the game, earning K- Rod his 20th save of the 2009 campaign. His skipper could do without the late inning drama, however!!! “I think he likes the edge a little bit. I don’t,” Mets manager Jerry Manuel said.
Star of the Game: Santana- Showed why he is the “man” by making adjustments and getting key out when he did not have A+ command-control early.
Mets starting Line-up:
1- SS Alex Cora
2- 2B Luis Castillo
3- 3B David Wright
4- RF Ryan Church
5- LF Fernando Tatis
6- CF Fernando Martinez
7- 1B Nick Evans
8- C Omir Santos
9- Pitcher
Game Notes: Pujols had been 5 for 5 with 16 rbi in bases loaded situations…. Mets DL-ed starting pitchers RH John Maine(shoulder) and LH Oliver Perez(knee) will start on consecutive days over the weekend for the Class A Brooklyn Cyclones, Maine will start Saturday…. OF Gary Sheffield remains out as Manuel continues to rest his injured knee
Next Game:
Friday, Start round 2 of the Subway series vs the New York Yank$$s at Citi-Field
7:10 pm
Mets RH Mike Pelfrey(5-2,4,74) vs. Yankees LH CC Sabathia(6-4,3.71)
