C Omir Santos’ overturned homer capped an amazing night at Fenway Park Saturday as the New York Mets rallied to defeat the Boston Red Sox, 3-2. Santos’ hit a ball just over the wall in left with 2 outs off of Sox star closer Jonathan Papelbon and the ball was originally called a double. However, the umpiring crew reviewed the play and correctly ruled it a two run homer. The Mets bench errupted and the call helped secure their 2nd consecutive win to secure a series win the 1st wave of Inter league contests.
In what was arguably the best all around game the Mets have played in the 2009 season, both starting pitchers- NY’s Mike Pelfrey and Sox ace Josh Beckett pitched outstanding. Pelfrey went 7, allowing 6 hits and 2 runs, both on an rbi single from Boston 1b Kevin Youkilis in the home 1st. The 6’7 righty K-ed 6 and walked 1. His mound counterpart went 1 inning further, throwing 8 frames. He was touched for 5 hits and a run. Mets LF Gary Sheffield singled in the first run of the game in the 1st,scoring Carlos Beltran.
Both teams kept the score where it was until the 9th. Sheffield walked versus Papelbon, one of the great closers in the game, to lead off the 9th. The Sox fireman then struck out 3b David Wright and RF Jeremy Reed swinging. Santos then followed with his homer that barely left the park at the 310 foot Green Monster.
The Mets summoned J.J. Putz to close the game with K-Rod unavailable.(See game notes and follow-up update) The pesky Youkils walked and then Wright made the defensive play of the year on Sox stud LF Jason Bay’s scorched line drive at 3rd, fielding the ball and throwing out Youkilis at 2nd. Equally great play by Mets Luis Castillo on the catch. JD Drew then just got under a Putz’ pitch and smoked it to Reed in right for the 2nd out. In a fitting end to the night, Mets fill-in SS Ramon Martinez, who has struggled in the field as off late, made another great fielding play to throw out 3b Mike Lowell to end the game and give the Mets a huge come from behind win, 3-2.
Star of the Game: Santos- Mets might have a nice problem when Brian Schneider returns from the DL with both Santos and Castro playing well.
Not Over: Credit Mets skipper Jerry Manuel for being a calm,steady hand. His team reacted like the won the lottery after Santos’ homer but you could see the Fatherly Manager tell each player to man they needed 3 outs to make the comeback complete. “They ran out as if the game was over. I said, ‘Hey, we’ve still got some outs to get,” Manuel said. “We have a different type of spirit on this team. A lot of times, it doesn’t show. But they’re still fighting until the end.”
Game Notes: Santos had two hits to led NY….Beltran continues to DH while dealing with a sore right knee…Closer Francisco Rodriquez was unavailable to pitch after suffering from severe back spasms pre-game. He was taken to a local hospital after the game and was reportedly in tremendous pain….Mets homered in consecutive games after going 7 games without a single bomb…RF Ryan Church(hamstring) and SS Jose Reyes(Tendinitis in right knee) both missed the game and will be out thru the weekend. Manuel feels Reyes will play Monday, Church’s injury appears to be serious and he might be facing a DL stint
Next Game:
Sunday, Series finale vs the Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston
1:35 pm
Mets Tim Redding(0-0,3.00, 2nd start of 2009) vs Red Sox Tim Wakefield(5-2,3.52)
