Inoffensive for all ages
St. Louis Cardinals starter Jaime Garcia and New York Mets starter Johan Santana both acquitted themselves well Saturday. Both threw 7 scoreless innings, but neither was around at the finish. In 20 innings the Mets beat the Cardinals 2-1. The game took 6 hours and 53 minutes. The Mets used 4 starting pitchers in the game. Santana of course, and John Maine who appeared as a pinch runner in the 13th inning, and Jonathon Niese who pinch hit and struck out looking to end the top of the 15th, and Mike Pelfrey who came on in the bottom of the 20th inning. 24 Mets and 22 Cardinals appeared in the game. The Mets had a total of 9 hits in the game.
Angel Pagan led off the top of the 20th with a single. Mike Jacobs singled him to 3rd base. Jose Reyes hit a sacrifice fly to plate Pagan and give the Mets a 2-1 lead. In the bottom of the inning Pelfrey then recorded the 1st save of his career. But so much led to that.
Fernando Nieve
Fernando Nieve, on pace to appear in 118 games this season, came on in the bottom of the 10th inning of a scoreless tie game with Cardinals on 1st and 2nd and 2 outs. He came in as part of a double switch with Alex Cora coming on to play 1B for only the 3rd time in his career. Nieve promptly walked Albert Pujols to load the bases. This was the first instance in the game that any base runner had reached 3rd base. Matt Holliday then popped up a foul ball which Cora trailed as it faded toward the stands. As he approached the tarp which is stored in front of the stands, Cora leapt into the air and caught Holliday’s foul pop, holding onto it for the 3rd out of the inning as he crashed down on the surprised fans sitting in the front row. Showing the class that St. Louis fans are renowned for they applauded Cora’s remarkable catch.
Angel on the basepaths
In the top of the 11th Pagan demonstrated his proclivity for bad base running, getting picked off 1B on the 8th throw over by Cardinal pitcher Trever Miller. Having learned a lesson from his poor execution of a pick off play in the previous game, Pujols didn’t make the same mistake twice, so with Pagan in a rundown this time Pujols threw the ball to his teammate at the appropriate time. Second baseman Skip Schumaker then tossed to Miller covering 1B who tagged out Pagan ending the inning.
Completely void of offensive content
The Mets 1st hit of the game didn’t come until the 6th inning. It was a lead off single by Pagan that broke up Garcia’s no hitter. Their 2nd hit of the game didn’t come until the 12th inning. It was a 1-out single by Luis Castillo, who was stranded at 1B when David Wright struck out for the 3rd time in the game, then Jason Bay struck out for the 4th time.
"How's your mother?" What, too soon?
The Cardinals loaded the bases again in the bottom of the 12th. With 2 outs, Schumaker singled, then Ludwick reached on catcher’s interference when his bat was impeded on a swing by contact with Rod Barajas’ glove. Pujols was intentionally walked to load the bases. Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa had 1 position player left on his bench, back up catcher Bryan Anderson, but chose to let relief pitcher Jason Motte bat. He struck out. The Mets got 2 runners on with 2 outs in the top of the 14th, but Bay grounded into an inning ending fielder’s choice.
Apparently not so much
In the bottom of the 14th Joe Mather led off with a double off of Hisanori Takahashi. Brendan Ryan sacrifice bunted Mather to 3B and reached 1B safely when Takahashi bobbled the bunt and was charged with an error. Ryan then took 2B on fielder’s indifference putting runners on 2nd and 3rd with no one out. Takahashi then struck out Schumaker and Ryan Ludwick bringing Pujols to the plate. He was intentionally walked and once again the Cardinals let a relief pitcher bat with the bases loaded. This time Blake Hawksworth took a called 3rd strike sending the game to the 15th.
I think it was sweet, not sure, I'm delirious from so much baseball
Pagan led off the 16th with a single to center. Jacobs showed that he could add something of value to this team, successfully sacrifice bunting for the 1st time in his major league career to move Pagan to 2nd base. Reyes grounded out moving him up to 3rd base and he became the 1st Met base runner of the game to reach 3rd, but Castillo struck out looking preventing him from becoming the 1st Met base runner to reach home plate. In the bottom of the 16th back-to-back 1-out singles by Ludwick and Pujols put runners on 1st and 2nd base. At last LaRussa sent up his final remaining position player, Anderson, to pinch hit. He grounded sharply to Castillo who flipped to Reyes covering 2nd base for the 2nd out. Meanwhile Ludwick rounded 3rd base and headed home. Reyes threw to catcher Henry Blanco who chased down then tagged out Ludwick for the 3rd out of the inning.
Gay animal football?
In the 18th inning things got completely ridiculous. The Cardinals began moving players completely out of position, putting back up utility player Felipe Lopez on the mound and pitcher Kyle Lohse in left field. Lopez induced Blanco to pop up to short center field where Ryan made an impressive catch running with his back to home plate. He bobbled the ball but held on. The next Mets batter was relief pitcher Raul Valdes who hit a grounder to deep shortstop that Ryan threw wildly to 1st base. As the wild throw bounced off the stands, Valdes headed to 2nd base but on his arrival he didn’t slide and was tagged out for the 2nd out of the inning. Jacobs then popped up to right field for the 3rd out. Valdes allowed a 1-out single to Ryan in the bottom of the inning but induced Schumaker to ground into an inning ending double.
This one's self-explanatory
In the 19th Cardinals back up outfielder Mather relieved Lopez on the mound. Mather walked Reyes leading off. Castillo sacrifice bunted Reyes to 2nd base. Wright was intentionally walked, then Bay was hit by a pitch which loaded the bases with 1 out. Reyes scored the 1st run of the game on a Jeff Francoeur sacrifice fly. So the Mets had the lead and brought their closer Francisco Rodriguez on to bring the game to a merciful end. So he promptly walked Ludwick, who was then caught stealing with Pujols at the plate. Pujols then doubled to the left-centerfield gap. Lohse grounded to shortstop with Pujols moving up to 3rd with 2 outs. Yadier Molina then singled sharply over 2nd to tie the game and bring the game to it’s fateful 20th inning.
34 comments
prismo
4/17/2010-11:19pm at 11:19 pm (UTC -4)
I really think if there were one phrase to accurately describe this game it would undoubtedly be “ga.y animal football?â€.
Props to all the fans who watched this marathon. I’m out to get some Wendy’s! (and thanks for the great post-game Grave!)
ceetar
4/17/2010-11:20pm at 11:20 pm (UTC -4)
Manuel’s daily attempt to get fired watch: Bunting with Castillo against a position player.
dirtysanchez
4/17/2010-11:52pm at 11:52 pm (UTC -4)
that was but 1 of MANY reasons why manuel should be fired by tomorrow…and jacobs should be cut TODAY
metsfan4decades
4/17/2010-11:20pm at 11:20 pm (UTC -4)
LOL, Grave. How many pages of notes did you have to write this post game? Did you give up on the 20th ’cause I’m not seeing any details? No matter, Great job. I still can’t believe I watched every inning of this game. Thanks for the entertainment to my fellow fans in the Dugout tonight.
I think it’s stating the obvious to say, quite bluntly, our offense sux right now.
Hats off to all pitchers not named Krod tonight. Pelfrey earns his first save ever, including going back to college.
And speaking of Krod, anyone have any idea why he didn’t pitch the 20th?
ceetar
4/17/2010-11:30pm at 11:30 pm (UTC -4)
Warmed up like 6 times during the game. spent.
oleosmirf
4/17/2010-11:25pm at 11:25 pm (UTC -4)
well i have officially ended my postseason hopes after this gastly performance.
the fact they scored only 2 runs in 3 innings off position players is absolutely pathetic…and they needed sac flies to do it…
Manuel and HoJo need to go…
prismo
4/17/2010-11:40pm at 11:40 pm (UTC -4)
And this marks the first time a fan has ever given up their postseason hopes after a WIN.
gategem
4/18/2010-3:46am at 3:46 am (UTC -4)
Back in the early 1960’s we gave up all post season hopes when they introduced the players on opening day.
trs86
4/18/2010-12:38am at 12:38 am (UTC -4)
Damn, come on here excited after what I thought was an incredible game to here people whine and bitch?
stickguy
4/18/2010-12:45am at 12:45 am (UTC -4)
just some.
oleosmirf
4/18/2010-12:46am at 12:46 am (UTC -4)
win or loss, this was one of the worst managerial and hitting performances i’ve ever seen in baseball.
LaRussa gift wrapped a win and Manuel almost found a way to blow it. 3 innings thrown by a position player and Manuel was only playing for one run…the guy is clueless…
only the Mets
trs86
4/18/2010-12:50am at 12:50 am (UTC -4)
Damn, we won the game right? An incredible game. No the Mets offense did not play well, but damn how about some credit for the pitching staff? Or as bad as Manuel is does he not get any credit for chosing the pitchers that he did when he did? I think at this point you should just not watch another Mets game this year if you can’t get excited over a 20 inning performance in which the Mets, the road team, pull it out in an unlikely situation?
oleosmirf
4/18/2010-1:03am at 1:03 am (UTC -4)
the pitching was fantastic…and besides allowing K-Rod to pitch to Molina, Manuel managed to not screw anything else up…
Mr North Jersey
4/17/2010-11:25pm at 11:25 pm (UTC -4)
Props to Grave for quickly being able to post a postgame to a 20 inning game
Cerrone I think is still typing.
Also props for the Real Dirty Dugout for setting a record for longest time in the Dugout chatting. I am sure your butts are all the sorer for it.
metsfan4decades
4/17/2010-11:32pm at 11:32 pm (UTC -4)
LOL – good one. Yes indeed, props to Grave.
and the Dugout? my hands are tired.
Honorable mention to those poor High School kids who have been waiting to take the field for a night game. Someone had to go wake them oup…..
metsfan4decades
4/17/2010-11:28pm at 11:28 pm (UTC -4)
Jerry on post game show:
‘I think we should have mounted a better attack’. Understatement of the night.
Jerry explained KRod didn’t come back out because he warmed up too many innings before the 19th and he wanted to be careful. Pelfrey asked for the ball, said he could get it done.
ceetar
4/17/2010-11:31pm at 11:31 pm (UTC -4)
good for Pelf, since the only other option was ..Frenchy and Pelf having to play RF anyway. might as well pitch.
metsfan4decades
4/17/2010-11:34pm at 11:34 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, Jerry saying Frenchy had been asking for the ball the last couple of innings. Now that would have been worth the price of admission.
Go Big Pelf!
gategem
4/18/2010-3:54am at 3:54 am (UTC -4)
With Maine starting the next game and with the bullpen overworked after this marathon Frenchy may still get his wish.
stickguy
4/17/2010-11:32pm at 11:32 pm (UTC -4)
OK, did not know he pitched that much in the pen. So I will let that one slide, and hope that pelf doesn’t show any ill effects in his next start. He has to full days to rest, so it shouldn’t kill him.
Mr North Jersey
4/17/2010-11:36pm at 11:36 pm (UTC -4)
KRod said he got up at least 10 times starting in the 8th to warm up and be ready just in case Mets got lead and said his arm was dead in the 19th but was glad his teammates picked him up.
stickguy
4/17/2010-11:31pm at 11:31 pm (UTC -4)
I watched most of this up until the 9th, when I had to leave for our monthly bowling league.
And even after dinner and 3 games, plus practice and travel time, still made it home for the 18th.
In the spirit of thank god they won, I won’t mention how pitiful the hitting was for 3 innings against position players.
But, of the parts I saw, I am astounded that they sacrificed castillo against a position player. Fire jerry on the spot for that one. And if you need more, not making the decision to walk yadir F’in molina (didn’t he legally change his name like Bucky dent?) in the 19th is gross negligence. You don’t leave that up to the pitcher. They never want to walk a guy.
and why the hell did K rod, who made the mess, not suck it up and come out for the 20th? Unless there was an injury issue, there is no other valid reason. And if he asked out, he should be publicly flogged.
But, it showed offensive ineptitude (but not as bad as the braves!), but it also showed cajones and heart to keep chugging away.
and please god, let Maine have enough tomorrow to go deep. 8 would be nice.
actually, a perfect time to send down mejia and call up calero!
metsfan4decades
4/17/2010-11:49pm at 11:49 pm (UTC -4)
Pelfrey with the lowest ERA, most wins and most saves of the Met pitching staff.
stickguy
4/17/2010-11:50pm at 11:50 pm (UTC -4)
hey, I had Pelf in the 1st met with a save pool.
What do I win?
GravediggerHebner
4/17/2010-11:59pm at 11:59 pm (UTC -4)
Framed 8 x 10 glossy of Luis Castillo dropping that pop up in Yankee Stadium, autographed by Alex Rodriguez.
gategem
4/18/2010-3:59am at 3:59 am (UTC -4)
The game is now a classic shown on YES.
stickguy
4/17/2010-11:50pm at 11:50 pm (UTC -4)
how can you overlook a somewhat met related note.
A rockie tossed a no hitter today, taking one more team off the list. How long can it be until the Mets are all alone on that one?
Oh, and look at for the Nats. even after playing a bunch of games vs. the phils, they look pretty good.
oh yeah, I forgot it is still early. Plenty of time for the chum to settle to the bottom.
gategem
4/18/2010-4:08am at 4:08 am (UTC -4)
When you consider some of the incredibly gifted pitchers that have worn the Mets uniform and still no no-hitter it’s possible that it may never happen (especially since the world is supposed to end in 2012).
trs86
4/18/2010-12:44am at 12:44 am (UTC -4)
Man I expected a lot more positive comments after such an incredible history making game. Oh well. I am also drunk at the beach so….
oleosmirf
4/18/2010-12:48am at 12:48 am (UTC -4)
you didnt watch the game did you?
trs86
4/18/2010-12:53am at 12:53 am (UTC -4)
Nope only got to catch parts on t5v and on gameday the enitre time. What does it matter if I watched it or not? Does not change the fact that the Mets held the Cards offense in check for 20 innings including 18 scoreless innings. The pushed their team to the limit and came out on top, that’s a beautiful thing. Honestly if you can’t be happy about a game like this then baseball might not be your thing.
oleosmirf
4/18/2010-1:00am at 1:00 am (UTC -4)
if you watched the 18th, 19th and 20th innings you would understand where we are coming from.
sure im happy they won and it was very exciting but its extremely troubling when the opposing teams 5th OF is getting our best hitters out with such ease.
Felipe Lopez pitched a 1-2-3 inning for gods sake…
trs86
4/18/2010-1:04am at 1:04 am (UTC -4)
Oleo, you are and have always been a miserable Mets fan. Evidently it’s what makes you happy. It’s too late to have this battle with you. I for one feel much BETTER about the team after this game. I saw a team that with their backs to the wall many times continued to come out and get things done over and over and over. I guess that’s just the difference in us. You look for the negative regardless and I tend to look for the positive. Later, LGM.
Mr North Jersey
4/18/2010-2:29am at 2:29 am (UTC -4)
I know it’s your blog and all but your a little harsh don’t you think? A miserable Mets fan? Cmon was that really necessary?