The Mets won their 5th straight game tonight in unconventional fashion. Well maybe not so unconventional in terms of baseball history but 2 weeks ago this would have been highly unlikely.
Chris Young was back from the DL and pitched well through 4 but gave up 3 solo shots and left after 2 out in the 5th. Young was at 88 pitches and after 2 walks in the inning he did battle back to get Ankiel to fly out before being removed for Iggy with Werth up to bat. Werth had hit a no doubter to lead off the 4th. I am not sure if Terry removed Young because he did not have his best stuff and thought better of having Young face Werth again or if Young was on a strict pitch count. Perhaps some of both.
Now I said unconventional, where does that come in? The Mets pen. Just a short while ago, a 3-3 tie in the 5th inning with 2 runners on would have been as close to game over as possible. Today, the Mets pen creation is showing Sandy to be more ingenious than heel. Iggy was called on to face Jayson Werth with runners on 2nd and 3rd. Iggy came in and struck out Werth on 4 pitches.
After a one out 2 RBI double from Josh Thole, the Mets were again given a lead to protect. This time it was Taylor Buchholz turn to try and hold the fort. Buchholz came in and looked impressive to near dominant going 2 innings and giving up only one hit on a drag bunt from Brother Hairston while K’ing 2.
In the 8th inning with a 5-3 advantage Izzy was called on again in what has quickly became his new role, setup man. After giving up a single and a stolen base to Ankiel, Izzy gave up a run scoring single to Nat of the night Wilson Ramos (3-4 with 2 solo HR, yeah really 2 HR I can’t believe it either, and an RBI single). Jason was able to battle back and get Michael Morse on a warning track shot to Carlos Beltran.
The Mets were able to manage an insurance run in the top of the 9th. Which while I thought they could have scored more it too was unconventional. Jason Pridie lead off the inning with a completely perfect drag bunt that the Nats allowed to role for an uncontested hit, unless you count Brother Hairston’s attempt to blow it foul. Yeah he got down on his stomach and tried to blow the ball foul. Unsuccessfully the Nats then proceeded to hit Willie Harris placing runners on 1st and 2nd. Jose Reyes, most likely on his own accord tried to bunt for a hit and nearly was successful. He was successful in advancing the runners to 2nd and 3rd. I guess Jose had the Nats play on a bunt in the 2nd inning where LaRoche seemed to allow Davis to score on something resembling a safe safety squeeze. With runners on 2nd and 3rd following the Jose sacrifice the Nats seemed rattled again and hit Daniel Murphy (2-4 with a run scored) loading the bases for hard luck Wright. Wright really had some hard hit balls tonight and hit one in this situation too. Wright hit a rocket to the pitcher who only managed an out at 1B and allowed Pridie to score giving the Mets that intricate insurance run previously mentioned.
Back to the pen. Krod was called on to close the game and promptly allowed a single to Brother Hairston to lead off the inning. However, in classic Krod fashion he was able to retire the next 3 for his 5th save of the season locking up the Mets first 5 game winning streak since June of last season.
Tomorrow sees the Mets face the Nats again at 7:05.
Mets at Nats Preview Courtesy of MLB.com
For a complete wrap-up of today’s game, also see MLB.com.
5 comments
gategem
4/27/2011-12:17am at 12:17 am (UTC -4)
Baseball is a lot more fun when you’re following a team on a hot streak. While I still believe this team is a few years away from being a true contender it’s great not to have to switch off to MLB Extra Innings because I don’t want to miss an inning of the Mets game. If they’re still playing this way at the trading deadline it will be interesting to see what Sandy does with players such as Beltran, Reyes, etc. But I’m getting ahead of myself so let’s just enjoy this streak while it lasts.
TRS86
4/27/2011-12:20am at 12:20 am (UTC -4)
Never as high as your highs, never as low as your lows. This team, for now is a .500 team (not literally of course but figuratively). However as I expected, highly entertaining.
metsfan4decades
4/27/2011-8:00am at 8:00 am (UTC -4)
5 game winning streak. Just what the doctor ordered.
I think all the teams in the NL east this year have their share of injuries, holes, or are playing with some young rookies – thereby making this race by mid season not clear cut at all. Will be interesting to see what determination our FO makes come trade deadline.
stickguy
4/27/2011-9:06am at 9:06 am (UTC -4)
I still think Buchholz is a fine option for the set up role. Though considering that neither he nor Izzy is exactly an everyday horse right now, let them alternate to keep everyone fresh. Mix Beato and Iggy in for the 6th/7th and don’t burn anyone out.
Also nice to see the team winning and flashing some talent (in all areas) to make the crowd of last week screeching about how they would have a record like the 1962 team look even more foolish.
I am shocked I tell you, shocked that bay came back on fire. If he keeps this up, I may owe him an apology. If he leaves some tickets for me, I will stop down and give it to him.
finally, I love seeing Murphy looking like a Playa’ at 2B. Wonder what his biggest “fan” (Sylow) thinks about that? not to mention the other know it alls that stated as a fact that he could never, ever step on the field at 2B and not be a trainwreck.
kingman 26
4/27/2011-9:44am at 9:44 am (UTC -4)
I cannot even believe I frigin know who Sylow is.
A jackass with no sense who I thank heaven every day does not post here.