Not the Mets knocking wood
Obscure Florida Marlins reliever Tim Wood, who allowed 2 hits and a run to the New York Mets in Florida’s Opening Day loss to New York, chose game 2 of the 2010 season to become proficient sending down the Mets 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 10th for his first major league save and a 7-6 Marlins victory.
But first, a trip in the Wayback Machine
Long before that inglorious end, in the top of the 1st inning, Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez singled off Mets starter John Maine for a 1-0 Florida lead. The Mets got that run back in the bottom of the 1st. Alex Cora led off with a triple and Luis Castillo actually hit a fly ball to the outfield deep enough for a sacrifice fly tying the game at 1-1. After that the Marlins gradually built a 6-1 lead. In the 3rd inning a Jorge Cantu home run (1) and a John Baker RBI single made it 3-1 Florida. In the 5th a Ramirez solo blast (1) off the Mets’ bullpen roof made it 4-1. After rookie phenom Jenrry Mejia, making his major league debut relieving Maine in the 6th entered, a Chris Coghlan RBI single gave the Marlins a 5-1 lead, then a Dan Uggla homer (1) off maligned reliever Sean Green gave the Marlins the aforementioned 6-1 lead.
Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco walked Jason Bay and Gary Matthews Jr. back-to-back (and belly-to-belly) to start the bottom of the 7th inning. Jeff Francoeur then grounded into a fielder’s choice with Bay moving up to third base and Matthews Jr. forced out at second. Rod Barajas followed with a sacrifice fly plating Bay and making the score 6-2.
Pinto prior to exploding
Mets manager Jerry Manuel summoned left handed hitter Frank Catalanotto to pinch hit for reliever Green, prompting Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez to bring the left handed relief pitcher Renyel Pinto into the game. Manuel then countered that move by substituting right handed pinch hitter Tatis and it was on. The first batter Pinto faced, Tatis, singled moving Francoeur to third. The second batter, Cora, was hit by a pitch loading the bases. The third and final batter Pinto would face, Castillo, walked forcing in a run making it 6-3 Marlins. Pinto’s explosion complete, the Marlins then brought in reliever Jose Veras with 2 runs in, the bases loaded, two outs and David Wright at the plate.
Pinto after exploding
Veras threw a pitch high and away that bounced off of the catcher Baker’s glove and rolled away from the plate. Tatis took off from third and Wright stepped out of the way while Baker ran after the ball. He picked it up and while falling sideways away from the plate fired a throw to Veras covering who tagged out Tatis, snuffing the rally.
'snuff said
In the 8th the Mets tied it up which eventually sent the game into extra innings. Wright and Mike Jacobs greeted Veras with back-to-back (but not belly-to-belly) singles. Bay plated Wright with a fielder’s choice ground out making it 6-4. Matthews Jr. and Francoeur both walked loading the bases and the Marlins brought on their closer Leo Nunez who immediately walked Tatis forcing in Bay and making it 6-5. Then third base umpire Wally “Saved By The” Bell called a phantom balk (no TV replay revealed any wrongdoing on Nunez’ part) forcing in the tying run, but Cora grounded out ending the inning.
The cast of Saved By The Bell, no relation
Neither team scored in the 9th inning. In the top of the 10th Mets reliever Hisanori Takahashi (0-1) made his major league debut, allowed a lead off single to Wes Helms, and after a sacrifice bunt moved him up to second base, pinch hitter Ronny Paulino singled to right and Helms narrowly beat Francoeur’s throw, which was slightly off line, to score the eventual winning run. Nunez (1-0) picked up the win after blowing the save.
4 comments
dirtysanchez
4/8/2010-12:06am at 12:06 am (UTC -4)
Tough loss but we have a shot to win the series tomorrow and Leo’s arm should not be available.
metsfan4decades
4/8/2010-12:20am at 12:20 am (UTC -4)
Bah….
I’m tired and I could go off on a rant, but what’s the point? Anyone else besides me sick of seeing this same theme?
Marlins did everything they could to hand us this game. And we just didn’t take it.
I’m trying to stay positive. But maybe 2009 isn’t a distant enough memory as I thought it was.
As usual, great job on the post game review. Graphics made me chuckly.
metsfan4decades
4/8/2010-12:22am at 12:22 am (UTC -4)
More tired than I though – should have read ‘chuckle’….
GravediggerHebner
4/8/2010-12:34am at 12:34 am (UTC -4)
I liked “chuckly” it was cute, after a tough loss something cute is always nice.