As we here at TRDM are still learning to move on without the great Grave, this week each post game will feature a tribute to the king of the post-game wrap-up. GravediggerHebner.
Today’s April 9th 2010, Game 4:
Post Game: Frenchy & OurRod ™ Mock Nats Staff
Now back to our game.
In the first inning Reyes and Pagan showed why they are one of the most exciting one two punches in all of baseball. Getting on with a base hit and then a hit-batter. With Wright at the plate Reyes initiated a double steal setting up 2nd and 3rd with no outs with the middle of the order coming up…. fail.
In the bottom half of the first inning Young quickly retired the first two batters only to have the prototypical 3rd hitter Rollins lay down a Beltranesque bunt to break up Chris Young’s no hitter. However, Young rebounded by setting up Ryan Howard for the strike out (by having him waste all of his energy on a monstrous foul ball might have even been a HR in Citifield).
In the top of the 3rd inning, Chris Young became the Mets all-time leader in BA by blasting a single through the left-side hole. Reyes then pulled a page out of Rollins how to be a 3rd place hitter by laying down a perfect bunt single. With Pagan at the plate Young did not try to initiate the double steal but luckily Hamels walked Pagan to load the bases bringing up Captain Wright. This time with the bases loaded instead of stranding two runners, Wright slashed a single to left that confused Ibanez long enough for 2 runs to score and Pagan to aggressively move to 3B. Score 2-0. A strike out to Beltran would bring the first out. Wright was able to net the Mets 3 stolen base of the game setting up 2nd and 3rd for Hairston. A mix up between Ruiz and Hamels then allowed Pagan’s aggressiveness to pay off with a run from a passed ball. Score 3-0. A frustrated Hamels then walked Hairston to setup 1st and 3rd yet again. With one out in the 3rd inning Hamels had thrown 50 pitches. Ike, I can hit LHP, Davis proceeded to lace a single right up the middle past to score Wright. Score 4-0. Emaus learning from Davis was also able to line a hit to CF scoring Hairston. Score 5-0. Nickeas became the 2nd out with a short pop-fly to CF bringing up Chris Young who in an attempt to protect his Met record singled in Ike Davis. In the process Young broke another Mets record by being the first Mets pitcher to get 2 hits in one inning. Score 6-0. This “Shellacking” (Thanks Keith) was enough to prompt an end to Hamels night amidst a chorus of boos. Line 6 runs, 7 hits, 2 walks, a hit-batsman in 2 2/3 innings. Four Aces? Kyle Kendrick was able to come in and retire Reyes on a pop-fly to Rollins.
With 1 out in the 4th inning David Wright did something that made me blush. No not a HR, a base hit to the opposite field! Kendrick, also amazed, walked Beltran in the aftermath. With a chance to really break the game open Hairston popped out to Rice-a-Roni in RF. Davis was also unable to add to the Mets run total. Score remained 6-0.
So what was Young doing during this time on the mound? Impressing. In the bottom of the 4th inning there was a little excitement following a walk and a base-hit. A pop fly into foul territory resulted in a no doubt fan interference call to end the inning as a Philly fan appeared to have touched a leaping Beltran’s glove.
Did I mention that Chris Young at this point in the game was tied atop the Mets all-time BA list? (with great names such as Jason Roach and Ray Searage) While this record may not mean much to you, it did to Chris who in the top of the 5th hit an IF single for his 3rd hit of the game leaving him with more hits than any other Mets batter with a 1.000 BA. Also tying a Mets a single game record for hits for a pitcher. (Currently 1 more hit than the Phillies had vs Young in the game). Current Mets records, 3.
In the 5th Inning Young seemed to tire. With two men on and 2 outs, Placebo Polanco lined a base-hit past a diving Wright bringing in Met castaway Valdez. Making the score 6-1. Up steps the 3rd hitter Rollins. Luckily for the Mets, with 2 outs the patented bunt play was inappropriate but he was able to work a walk bringing up Ryan Howard with the bases loaded. Uh oh… Can’t stop thinking about that foul ball, can’t stop thinking about that mammoth foul ball, can’t stop thinking about that … ground ball to 2nd base. Disaster averted, inning over. Whew.
Top of the 6th inning with one out Captain Wright continued to hit the ball well with a blast over Vicki’s head for a 2B. Beltran followed with a strike out. He did not look as comfortable at the plate tonight after the 2 day layoff. Hairston, however, was able to log his first hit as a Met with a single to LF driving in Wright. Score 7-1. (Sandy’s bench is looking pretty good these days). A walk to Davis brought up Emaus who grounded into a force out to end the inning.
Young continued to struggle in the 6th inning and after walking Ruiz his first start as a Met came to an end. Line 5 1/3 innings 1 run 5 hits, 4 BB, 7 K’s. Not a bad first outing, the conditioning is a concern. Hopefully he continues to build strength as the season progresses. With 2 runners on DJ Carrasco was able to get the double play and retire the side.
In the top of the 8th David Wright continued his great night with his 4th hit of the game. Again, seeming to be looking to go the other way. Unfortunately Beltran grounded into a double play as he continued to struggle. The bottom of the 8th saw Tim the Birdman Byrdak retire the heart of the Philly lineup. The top of the 9th the Mets went quietly, setting up a chance for Collins to ruin the Mets good will by allowing Krod to “get his work in”. Fortunately for the Mets, Jerry has been fired. Collins called on Parnell who gave up a 2 out single before getting Vicki to fly out to Pagan to end the game.
Mets record 3-1
Phillies record 3-1
Next game: Tomorrow 7:05pm Pelfrey vs Blanton.
16 comments
stickguy
4/5/2011-10:26pm at 10:26 pm (UTC -4)
a satisfying game. Wonder if it will do anything to make the obnoxious philly fans consider that the mets might actually be a legitimate MLB team, and not some kind of irrelevant joke to be made fun of?
Hopefully Pelf bounces back from his debacle and puts up a good game, and the met bats continue to pound the snot out of Blanton. taking this series would be sweet. And would certainly up the buzz level for Friday (assuming Prismo will allow it to happen!)
TRS86
4/5/2011-10:31pm at 10:31 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, more than likely it will just spark the trade Hamels portion of the fanbase. Hey maybe they can work out a Hamels for Young and prospects trade….. LOL.
metsfan4decades
4/5/2011-10:44pm at 10:44 pm (UTC -4)
Nice tribute to the immortal Grave. Good job.
Great win tonight. The Mets are taking advantage of every opportunity they’re given so far these few games: bad defense, bad pitching for two.
Listening to Young on post game. He’s happy he got the win, it’s a bit of a blur and he said a couple of times there’s room for improvement.
I enjoyed each of every minute of this game.
On to the ‘forgotten man’ Blanton tomorrow. Go Pelf!
oleosmirf
4/5/2011-11:05pm at 11:05 pm (UTC -4)
great win tonight. Wright looks outstanding and Young looked very good as well.
Hopefully Big Pelf has a good game tomorrow and get himself moving in the right direction.
kistics
4/5/2011-11:08pm at 11:08 pm (UTC -4)
LGM!!!!
metsfan4decades
4/5/2011-11:15pm at 11:15 pm (UTC -4)
You know, maybe our luck is turning.
That foul ball Beltran tried to grab, was called failed interference, an out to end the inning (and the fan was ejected to boot)……you just know in years past, not only would that not have been called by the ump, the fan would have somehow got his hand wrapped around Beltran’s wrist and broke it.
TRS86
4/6/2011-7:29am at 7:29 am (UTC -4)
LOL
stickguy
4/5/2011-11:15pm at 11:15 pm (UTC -4)
Oh, and how could I forget?
first place baby!
and in the spirit of spite, yankees lost again, thanks to a splendid performance by their $10million set up man.
njstuckintx
4/6/2011-8:48am at 8:48 am (UTC -4)
The Mets may creep up to number 15 in ESPN’s power poll if they keep playing like this for the next month.
Yanks may fall to 5th or 6th…
kistics
4/6/2011-9:24am at 9:24 am (UTC -4)
nah.. why would they be so reasonable?
njstuckintx
4/6/2011-8:48am at 8:48 am (UTC -4)
Nice tribute write up. Thumbs up.
kistics
4/6/2011-8:50am at 8:50 am (UTC -4)
I don’t want to sound like negative nancy, but one thing to nitpick is that the Mets seem to let their guards down after a big offensive inning. And I’m not just talking about last night’s game, but I have felt this way past couple seasons. It doesn’t look like they had the hunger to score more runs when they are up by a lot. I guess it’s only natural to let your guards down a little bit, but I would like to see guys like Reyes or Pagan get on bases even if they are winning by a lot.
TRS86
4/6/2011-9:00am at 9:00 am (UTC -4)
Well they did have opportunities last night to score more runs. They were able to push across another run and should have scored in the 1st inning as well. I understand what you are saying that they don’t have that killer mentality but I think that comes with swagger as well. My current concern is that Jose seems no more ready to take a walk than he did at the end of last season.
kistics
4/6/2011-9:17am at 9:17 am (UTC -4)
I also think the killer mentality comes trickles down from the manager too. So hopefully Terry’s intensity would rub off to the rest of the team.
I agree on Jose’s walk too. But I think it’s little too early to be concerned. From everything that I hear and read, I believe Jose wants to walk a lot more. But my sense is that after the 0-8 start, he may have changed his approach at the plate.
I think he’s a bad 2 strike hitter. Once he feels the pitcher is ahead of him, he will swing at bad pitches rather than being patient.
For his sake and all of our sakes (maybe except for King =D ), he ups his OBP this season.
Prismo
4/6/2011-9:19am at 9:19 am (UTC -4)
This makes me really sad!!! I miss Grave, we should try to contact him just to get an update.
TRS86
4/6/2011-9:32am at 9:32 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, out of respect for him, I have not tried to contact him. I think that when he is ready he will reappear like a thief in the night.