Tonight wasn't one of those
New York Mets starter Hisanori Takahashi (6-2) outdueled New York Yankees starter Javier Vazquez (6-6). The Yankee starter allowed 1 run in 7 innings, but Takahashi allowed none in 6 and the Mets added some late runs then Francisco Rodriguez successfully wiggled out of the 9th with the bases loaded to earn his 16th save as the Mets held on for a 4-0 win. The biggest moment for Takahashi came in the bottom of the 6th. Leading 1-0 and with 1 out he allowed a single to Nick Swisher. The next batter Mark Teixeira also singled, bringing Alex Rodriguez to the plate. Takahashi induced ARod to ground out as the runners moved up bringing Robinson Cano and his league leading .372 batting average to the plate. Takahashi was very careful with Cano and eventually Cano drew a walk loading the bases for Jorge Posada, the same player who hit grand slams on consecutive days last weekend. At that point Mets broadcaster Gary Cohen noted that as a team the Yankees were batting .429 with the bases loaded this season. Broadcasting partner Keith Hernandez then asked the obvious question: that’s good but what are they batting with the bases loaded and two outs, that’s much harder? Cohen replied .478 as all eyes turned to the battle between Takahashi and Posada. Quick math tells us that with two outs and the bases loaded the Yankees are successful less than 50% of the time and this time they were not, Posada grounded out weakly to third base ending the threat.
Cervelli just misses as Wright gets the prize
Like they have done at previous stops on this road trip, the Mets scored early. With 2 outs in the top of the 1st David Wright doubled. Ike Davis then singled to right where the Yankees right fielder Swisher picked up the ball and threw a strike to catcher Francisco Cervelli, but Cervelli was in front of the plate. As he caught the ball, Wright arrived and dove for the back of the plate. Cervelli turned and swiped at Wright’s arm to make the tag but just missed and the Mets were up 1-0.
Oscar winner Hilary Swank sports the winning cap on her walk in the park
The score remained 1-0 until the 8th. Chan Ho Park relieved the Yankee starter Vazquez to start the inning and the Mets treated him like a walk in the park. In fact Vazquez walked the first batter he faced, a man with an OPS of .589, Ruben Tejada. Jose Reyes followed with a double putting runners at second and third. Angel Pagan then doubled driving them both in and the Mets led 3-0.
The 9th was a boon for the Mets, the Yankees were lost
Boone Logan relieved Park in the 8th and stopped the Mets from scoring futher that inning, but he allowed an insurance run for the Mets in the 9th. With 1 out Jeff Francoeur doubled, then moved to third on a single by Tejada. An RBI single by Reyes drove home Francoeur making it 4-0 Mets. Raul Valdes started the bottom of the 9th for the Mets in relief and got 1 out before allowing consecutive singles to Cervelli and Curtis Granderson. The closer Rodriguez then came on and promptly walked Brett Gardner to load the bases. But he got Derek Jeter to strike out on a checked swing (a Jeterian swing) that went too far, then Swisher popped out to third and the Mets had their shutout victory moving to 7-0 on their current road trip.
I would of bet... } – 
21 comments
njstuckintx
6/18/2010-11:23pm at 11:23 pm (UTC -4)
Cervelli has vaulted himself towards the top of my dislike list.
Great win. Bull pen arms are needed, asap. Sign that Marlins cast off right away!
metsfan4decades
6/18/2010-11:24pm at 11:24 pm (UTC -4)
Well, that’s one game so far.
Taka pitched a very good ballgame. Had some nervous thoughts about him second time facing the Yankees but no need. He was brilliant. And BTW, I think he was robbed at least a couple of times on strikeouts. It’s really becoming the norm instead of the exception that they’ll be many missed calls behind the plate anymore….
Some timely hits again – and Pagan very quietly our most consistent hitter so far this season. Wright getting it done tonight with the bare hand play in the field and the finger swiping the corner of home plate on that slide.
Is there ever any doubt when Pedro comes in? Unlike when KRod comes in, having to hold your breath? No complaints on KRod, just has to make it interesting.
Tomorrow is Big Pelf. LGM!
njstuckintx
6/18/2010-11:30pm at 11:30 pm (UTC -4)
Amen! LGM indeed.
And I can’t see how Maine think’s he’s getting back into the rotation, even though we all know having Taka in the bullpen would be a wonderful thing at this point.
Mr North Jersey
6/18/2010-11:46pm at 11:46 pm (UTC -4)
I swear I did not think the Mets would shut the Yankees out tonight.
Taka and the Pen did a great job 2nite.
Wright’s fist pump after that barehanded throw to Ike to end the inning was Great!!!
11 Games above .500 =)
Enjoy The Ride….
Hazmet
6/19/2010-6:47am at 6:47 am (UTC -4)
Great win by the Blue & Orange. Agree with all but in fairness to K-Rod at least last night he inherited interesting coming in with 2 guys on. No, he didn’t have to walk the guy but he got the job done. Even he did have a chuckle about making things interesting in the post games. Here’s to 2 more day’s of post game chuckle’s from K-Rod hopefully this weekend. LGM!!!!
GravediggerHebner
6/18/2010-11:25pm at 11:25 pm (UTC -4)
4th round draft choice Cory Vaughn drove in the go-ahead runs with a 2 run single in the 6th as Wally Backman’s Brooklyn Cyclones beat the Staten Island Yankees 5-3.
metsfan4decades
6/18/2010-11:31pm at 11:31 pm (UTC -4)
Nice. They didn’t waste anytime getting Vaughn in there, did they?
stickguy
6/19/2010-12:05am at 12:05 am (UTC -4)
big time college guys usually do get to start at the short season team.
johan4cy
6/18/2010-11:37pm at 11:37 pm (UTC -4)
Am I the only one who doesn’t want Beltran to come back and take all of Pagan’s playing time?
CaseStreet
6/18/2010-11:42pm at 11:42 pm (UTC -4)
That would be frenchy playing time, though he’s on a hot streak too.
stickguy
6/19/2010-12:00am at 12:00 am (UTC -4)
if, and it is still a huge if, beltran does some back, there will likely still be plenty of PT for them all, since Carlos likely needs plenty of rest. and who knows if he can even play CF. if he has to go to RF, bye bye frenchy PT
oleosmirf
6/19/2010-12:01am at 12:01 am (UTC -4)
basically Pagan would play around 5 games a week instead of 6-7. he plays RF against RHP and splits the remaining games in CF with Beltran.
stickguy
6/19/2010-12:06am at 12:06 am (UTC -4)
I can live with that.
CaseStreet
6/18/2010-11:41pm at 11:41 pm (UTC -4)
I love my mets. And can we give pagan some props? Him and Reyes are killing it in the top of the lineup.
njstuckintx
6/18/2010-11:47pm at 11:47 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, they’ve been solid. Beltran for the 6 hole in RF? These are the good problems to have.
CaseStreet
6/19/2010-12:00am at 12:00 am (UTC -4)
Having frenchy and Carter coming off the bench would be awesome.
stickguy
6/19/2010-12:03am at 12:03 am (UTC -4)
now, if I could just have my dream of a 2B that can really hit, this lineup could be deadly.
CaseStreet
6/19/2010-12:29am at 12:29 am (UTC -4)
If they’re not traded, gotta figure tejada or havens will replace castillo. Don’t see Omar spending any money on 2b.
stickguy
6/19/2010-12:18pm at 12:18 pm (UTC -4)
havens is the dream.
CaseStreet
6/19/2010-12:11am at 12:11 am (UTC -4)
Future Met about to throw a CG in Seattle.
oleosmirf
6/19/2010-8:10am at 8:10 am (UTC -4)
from a talent standpoint, Lee is easily the best option for us. He probably is even better than Santana now…