Diamondbacks OF Justin Upton scored on a wild pitch in the 8th inning, breaking a 2-2 tie, leading Arizona to a 3-2 win over the NY Mets at Citi-Field Friday night in Queens. The game featured 4 solo homers- 2 for each team- as Diamondbacks 3b Mark Reynolds(2nd) & C Miguel Montero(4th) left the yard, while Mets 1B Daniel Murphy(2nd) and 3B David Wright(6th) homered for the New Yorkers. Both clubs struggled offensively, with Arizona(45-58) totaling 5 hits and the home team banging out 4. After winning 5 in a row, NY(49-53) is has now lost 2 straight. The Diamondbacks have won 4 of 6 and have some really solid,up & coming position players.
Both veteran starting pitchers tossed strong games and went 6 innings, with Dbacks LH Doug Davis(5-10,3.73) allowing 4 hits(2 runs) and walking 6(Wright twice). He K-ed 3 and threw 106 pitches.(57 strikes) Mets RH Livan Hernandez(7-5,4.77) also pitched a solid game, giving up 4 hits and 2 earned runs. He K-ed 4 and walked 2, while using a more economical 81 pitches(53 for strikes) “Those are two veteran pitchers dueling each other,” Mets manager Jerry Manuel said. “If you are a little bit anxious I think they’ll take advantage of you. It was a well-pitched game by both guys.”
The Mets had a chance to score more off Davis in the 6th but the crafty veteran escaped after retiring pinch hitter Angel Berroa on a fielders choice. (Many questioning Manuel for this move, He does not exactly have Hank Aaron on the bench!) The Diamondbacks scored the game winner in the 8th when 2B Gerardo Parra led off the inning with a single vs. LH Pedro Feliciano(3-3,2.61,19 holds), Sean Green(1-3,4.82,11 holds) took over and was wild, hitting and walking the next two hitters. Murphy tuned another great double play and it looked like the Mets might escape this jam unscathed. However, Green bounced a horrible wild pitch about a foot short of C Omir Santos and Upton raced home with the winning run. NY did not recover and went quietly 1-2-3 in both the 8th and 9th vs RH set up man Jon Rauch(1-0,3.97,9 holds) and closer Chad Qualls(1-1,3.30,19 holds).
Star of the Game: Reynolds- Only player on either team to get 2 hits, former youth teammate of Wright in Virginia. Having a great season(.278,29,69,.937 OPS) and hitting .396 since the All-Star break.(21-53)
Mets starting Line-up:
1- CF Angel Pagan
2- 2B Luis Castillo
3- 3B David Wright
4- RF Jeff Francoeur
5- LF Fernando Tatis
6- 1B Daniel Murphy
7- C Omir Santos
8- SS Alex Cora
9- Pitcher
Game Notes: Game was delayed 54 minutes by rain,starting just after 8 pm EST….Ferando Tatis started in Left Field after a strong game Thursday night when he homered and made a great diving catch.Tatis went 1 for 3 with a double and walk Friday …. Santos started his 3rd game in 2 days… Wright is hitting .412(14 for 34) during a current 10 game hitting streak… Manuel has not named a starter for Monday’s contest vs the Diamondbacks, he will more than likely announce the pitcher after Saturday’s game
Bad Fans: Bad,bad job by the fans who booed Green last night. He has been pitching great since April- 8.49 era to 4.70, 3.00,3.64…. and has been very consistent. Team is beat up right now and he was not supposed to be in this role, the guy tried and made a bad pitch. He is not alone and should not be treated like that in his own ball park.
Injury Updates: Look for C Brian Schneider to return either Saturday night or Sunday from his knee problem while OF Gary Sheffield(leg cramps) will more than likely be activated off the DL this weekend. Great news on ex closer Billy Wagner, who threw a perfect 7th inning in a rehab assignment for Single-A St. Lucie Friday. He tossed 10 pitches(8 strikes) and reportedly was clocked in the mid 90s. SP John Maine is still feeling pain in his shoulder but is resting in St. Lucie. SS Jose Reyes had a set-back Friday afternoon, according to Manuel. He attempted to run around the bases but had tightness in his hamstring. The speedster hopes to run the bases Saturday. Do not bet on seeing #7 again this season.
Next Game:
Saturday
Game 2 of 4 game series vs. the Diamondbacks at Citi-Field
7:10 pm
Mets LH Oliver Perez(2-3,7.42) vs. Diamondbacks Max Scherzer(6-6,3.61)
