Mike Pelfrey
It was Mike “Big Donkey” Pelf trying to even the series vs. Kyle “the Mets make me look like Cy Young” Kendrick on a very somber Saturday at Citi field. Both teams wore white caps to commemorate the 9th anniversary of the 9/11.
The Mets wasted no time jumping on Kendrick in the bottom of the first when Ike Davis hit a ground rule double to put the Mets up a run. The Mets would do their best to give it back by committing an error(Ike Davis throwing error to Pelfry covering first) and misplaying a pop up(Reyes running out to center to catch an Raul Ibanez a fly ball) to put men on first and second with one out but Pefrey would induce Brian Schnieder to bounce into a double play to end the frame.
Jose Reyes would add to the lead in the bottom of the third with a bomb to right field. Peflrey ran into a little trouble when Utley reached first but he induced a Ryan Howard fly ball and an Werth fielders choice to end the frame. Ike Davis continued his hot hitting leading off the bottom of the fourth with another base hit but was stranded. Luis Hernandez made a great stab and helped out Pelf in the top of the 5th by fielding a hot shot by Wilson Valdez and inducing a double play thus holding the Phillies scoreless. Pelfrey would lead off the bottom of the fifth with a base hit, Reyes would hit into a fielders choice and steal second and advance to third but was also stranded.
David Wright would lead off the bottom of the 6th with a base hit forcing Charlie Manuel to pull Kendrick from the game and replaced him with Antonio”I have the greatest last name in baseball” Bastardo-who would give up a hit to Ike Davis and strike out Thole. Jose Contras would come in from the Bullpen and walk Chris Carter to load the bases for Luis Hernandez who popped up to Jason Werth only to have him gun out David Wright trying to score.
It looked like Pelfrey might of had enough when he hit Chase Utley to lead off the top of the seventh,but Ryan Howard hit a line drive out into the shift and got Jayson Werth to hit into a fielders choice. Raul Ibanez would dump a single into left field and with two men on Brian Schnieder would pop up to Angel Pagan ending the Philly threat.
The bottom of the Seventh inning saw how weak the Phillie Bullpen really is. Feliciano would lead off with a base hit and after Pagan dumped a line drive in front of Ibanez, Jose Contreras walked David Wright and J.C. Romero would come in to pitch to Ike Davis who hit an up the middle two RBI hit thus extending the Met lead to 4-0. Thole would get in infield hit and Charlie Manuel would go to Chad Durbin to strike out Nick Evans.
Pelfrey ran out of gas in top of the 8th after letting up a double to Ross Gload and an RBI single from Shane Victorino. Pelfrey’s line would be 6 hits, 5 strike outs and 1 earned run. It was now time to show how weak the Met bullpen could be for Bobby Parnell would come in relief and give up a hot single to Piacido Polanco. Parnell would be lifted for Pedro Feliciano who would induce a ground out from Chase Utley but Ryan Howard would get a two RBI single thus cutting the lead to 4-3. Felicano would be pulled for Manny Acosta who would strike out Werth to end the Philly rally.
Takahashi would come in for the ninth and make it a little exciting giving up a one out double to Mike Sweeny but he would be stranded at third for the final out and the Mets would be victorious.
With this win, the Met will try to make it two in a row with tomorrows rubber game.
Mike Pelfrey also won his 14th game.
9 comments
metsfan4decades
9/11/2010-7:40pm at 7:40 pm (UTC -4)
Good. I enjoyed that game. It’s the little things now. I hate the Phillies.
Nice game for Big Pelf. I’m listening to the post game waiting to hear what the explanation is for the ‘back to the manager’ thing on the mound when Jerry took him out. I can’t imagine b/c it was the right move there.
Ike 4 for 4. Having a good September so far.
metsfan4decades
9/11/2010-7:42pm at 7:42 pm (UTC -4)
This makes my day:
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, if the Mets decide to fire or re-assign Omar Minaya, they will not make Assistant GM John Ricco their next general manager.
Rosenthal says the Mets feel Ricco is simply not ready for the task, and so they would look elsewhere.
hazmet
9/11/2010-8:10pm at 8:10 pm (UTC -4)
My dream team for the FO / Manager is still: Jon Daniels with Bobby V of course on the field.
Not likely, but can dream.
Mr North Jersey
9/11/2010-7:49pm at 7:49 pm (UTC -4)
70!!! The Mets tie 2009′s win total with 70 wins today.
Now with 20 games left can they reach 81 win mark?
Who said September didn’t have meaningful games for the Mets? Oops I did.
Hat Tip to Pelf and Davis.
stickguy
9/11/2010-8:28pm at 8:28 pm (UTC -4)
nice game. Good to see the good pelf today. And Ike just keeps cranking along. Another very good sign.
and 20 or so games until no more Jerry! Although I will miss (sorta) his odd line up choices and in game moves. OK, not really.
stickguy
9/11/2010-8:36pm at 8:36 pm (UTC -4)
braves won at least. so phils now tied for 1st, and only 2 up on the wildcard over the giants. So, still a chance for the phils to tail off for a change this year.
I Know. Petty. But I really hate the phils.
metsfan4decades
9/11/2010-10:35pm at 10:35 pm (UTC -4)
Couldn’t agree more Stick.
Go Braves! Got Giants! Go Padres! Go Rockies!
gategem
9/12/2010-1:55am at 1:55 am (UTC -4)
The Phillies are probably the only team in the NL that has even a remote chance of being a formidable foe for the Yankees in the WS. If any team other than the Phillies face the Yankees in the WS the Yankees will easily sail to number 28.
GravediggerHebner
9/11/2010-8:42pm at 8:42 pm (UTC -4)
Entertaining game, at least the parts I was able to see. Thanks for the nice thorough recap I feel like I didn’t miss anything.
Just one thing: Adam Dunn might be angry that you’ve given his nickname to Mike Pelfrey.