Summary:
The undefeated New York Mets moved to 4-0 with a great win over the Washington Nationals tonight at Citi Field. Mike Pelfrey was his vintage self. Not terrible, showed flashes of fine pitching, but ultimately could not get the job done sufficiently. The Nationals jumped out to a quick lead in the first on three singles which eventually plated Danny Espinosa on an Adam LaRoche hit. Pelfrey was not helped by Lucas Duda’s defense in the 3rd on Ryan Zimmerman’s shot into the RF corner. Duda’s sluggish play on the carom helped Desmond score the 2nd run.
Pelf helped himself with a double to lead off the 3rd, and scored on yet another RBI by David Wright. The game was tied in the bottom of the next frame on a 2-run HR by Kirk Nieuwenhuis, for his 1st MLB HR.
The bullpen was once again masterful with Ramon Ramirez coming in with 2 on and no outs in the 7th, and quickly getting a fly ball from LaRoche and a double play grounder from Jason Bay’s soulmate, Jayson Werth
Player of the Game:
Daniel Murphy made a phenomenal play in the top of the 9th on a grounder up the middle which resulted in a force at 2nd to end the inning. The 9th began with pinch hitter Mike Baxter drawing a walk. Ruben Tejada bunted, and reliever Henry Rodriguez made a bad throw to first, allowing Baxter to get to 3rd, where he briefly considered trying to score, but thought better of it with no outs and the meat of the order coming up, and safely retreated to the bag.
Daniel Murphy then came up, and continued what has been a long stretch of serious clutch hitting in his young career. Murph smacked a hit to right center, and ended the game. The Mets won 4-3, moved to 4-0, and continued what has been simply an amazing start to the 2012 season.
Big Pelf:
Mike Pelfrey was pretty much classic Mike Pelfrey tonight. Mediocre, with some promise due to all of the strikeouts and the lack of walks, but still simply unable to get the job done without allowing 10 hits in 5.2 innings. As usual, throwing hard with decent stuff, but the enigma that is this guy was in classic form. Definitely not helped by Lucas Duda’s lumbering after Zimmerman smacked a double into the RF corner, Pelf still was unable to put out the fire when faced with the less- than-Murderer’s Row offense the Nats mustered in the 1st and 3rd innings.
What’s to Like:
Ramon Ramirez. Trading Pagan for Torres was really an amazing example of trading a player for the player most like himself. The fact that Sandy also received Ramirez—who has had awfully good stats for years—may have been his second fleecing of SF after obtaining Wheeler for Beltran. Ramirez has no ERA, and came into a 2-on, no-out situation and quickly induced a flyout and a double play. This is precisely the type of low key, successful player that good teams have.
Ruben Tejada. This is a smart, thinking, aggressive player. Tejada does not have Reyes’ tools, but he did improve quite a bit during his minor league career, was rushed to the majors, and more and more appears to be a player who not only belongs, but in addition to surehanded fielding and gutty play, seems to be quite able to hit decently and get on base more than expected.
Wright’s continuing resurgence: Still just four games, but Wright already appears to be well on the way to recovering the form we have not seen since the summer of 2009. Key RBIs, drawing walks, not striking out, avoiding outside pitches—Wright looks healthy and confident, and should the problems of the last 2+ years really be behind him, this nice beginning to the year could really hold serious promise.
The bullpen and overall pitching: It’s just four games, but the bullpen has been simply fantastic. Veteran pitchers who used spring training as veteran pitchers do, everyone seems to have come out ready to go. We have seen confidence, aggression, and serious success. If this holds, Alderson’s building of the pen—clearly his major offseason project—will be a major achievement after recent years’ bullpen deficiencies.
What’s Not to Like:
Jason Bay. It’s time for folks to stop believing that he will recover the form he last showed in Boston in 2009. This writer has tried to understandby positing the evidence-less suggestion that Bay may have been a PED user who stopped using upon receiving what would clearly be his last big contract, and regardless of the reason(s), this gentleman is as finished as Bear Stearns. Terrible and anemic in the spring, Bay is in midseason form, with zero power, zero presence, and simply non-existent production at the plate.
Ike Davis’ offense. It is very early, sure, but Ike looks lost. Whining at umps again, unable to hit anything, let’s hope that Ike’s decent but far from spectacular 2010 was not an aberration. Ike continues to play a fine first base though, highlighted tonight by a nice 3-6 putout to get the lead runner on attempted sacrifice bunt by Ian Desmond with no outs in the 9th.
What’s Next:
The fun hopefully continues tomorrow at 7:10 PM at Citi with Dillon Gee making his 2012 debut against the Nats’ Ross Detwiler, a 26-year-old lefty with a decidedly checkered career thus far. Ike Davis will be given a sorely needed day off, with the versatile Justin Turner being given his first start of 2012, and learning a new position as well.
This writer has to say that he was surprised at how hard he was rooting in simply the 4th game of 162. True fans everywhere can be forgiven tor being extremely excited at this beginning after the last several years and the less-than-impressive spring training results. It’s far too early to look too far ahead, but this 4-0 start has been simply exhilarating.
41 comments
srt
4/9/2012-10:42pm at 10:42 pm (UTC -4)
4 and 0. Hell yeah!
Blue Collar Murph, Kirk’s first HR, Pelf hanging in there, BP coming through.
Love the Mets.
Mr North Jersey
4/9/2012-10:46pm at 10:46 pm (UTC -4)
The Mets are four and O don’t ya know!!!
oleosmirf
4/9/2012-10:48pm at 10:48 pm (UTC -4)
4-0!
Even though he gave up a bunch of hits, I thought Pelfrey looked really good. Kept the ball down with good velocity, movement and location.
Kirk with the big HR and hopefully he keeps hitting and helps push Bay out the door…
Mr North Jersey
4/9/2012-10:50pm at 10:50 pm (UTC -4)
1 walk and 8 strikeouts over 5 2/3 was a good ratio to see.
srt
4/9/2012-10:53pm at 10:53 pm (UTC -4)
8 Ks for Mike can’t be overlooked.
Mikey
4/9/2012-10:51pm at 10:51 pm (UTC -4)
Pelfrey was good.Enough with Murphy’s defense. Bay batting 5th has hurt Ike.
saltygary
4/9/2012-10:53pm at 10:53 pm (UTC -4)
That dive that Murph had was great though.
saltygary
4/9/2012-10:56pm at 10:56 pm (UTC -4)
I think Bay need Lasek, because he still can’t see the ball. Just swings defensively and gets the walk when he can. If there is no change he is bumped by early May.
Stickguy
4/9/2012-10:59pm at 10:59 pm (UTC -4)
I agree. He looks totally lost. Just up there waving, and not always at pitches anywhere near the strike zone.
kingman 26
4/9/2012-11:06pm at 11:06 pm (UTC -4)
If they keep winning, he will be sitting, and, as Lou Breeze said to Barton Fink, “pretty g*ddamn fast.”
Stickguy
4/9/2012-10:57pm at 10:57 pm (UTC -4)
only caught the bottom of the 9th on gameday. And saw the box (plus a highlight of Murphs diving play, and Kirsk HR).
weird line by Pelf. Other than the 10 hits, not what I would expect.
And did Murphy make some poor plays too? But I expect we will see that this year. Some botched basic plays, mixed in with some highlight reel ones.
kingman 26
4/9/2012-10:59pm at 10:59 pm (UTC -4)
I have to say, I was nearly 100% sure Murph would get that run home.
I cannot allow myself to get too psyched yet, but I was yelling for that win. I wanted it SO bad.
Four games, but this team is great to watch.
Please lord, let it continue.
saltygary
4/9/2012-11:02pm at 11:02 pm (UTC -4)
Murph was fine. He made a great dive and trow to 2nd to end one of the late innings. Maybe the either, can’t remember.
kingman 26
4/9/2012-11:04pm at 11:04 pm (UTC -4)
Ended the top of the ninth!
Read the frigin postgame–I kept score and worked hard on it!!
srt
4/9/2012-11:15pm at 11:15 pm (UTC -4)
And a nice wrap up it is, Kingman.
kingman 26
4/9/2012-11:17pm at 11:17 pm (UTC -4)
Thank you First Lady!
Is this fun or what?
I cannot even believe how bad I wanted this win, and how totally sure I was that Murph would get a hit or a sac fly.
gategem
4/10/2012-1:02am at 1:02 am (UTC -4)
Kong reading your posts is like going to college.
Paul Festa
4/10/2012-12:46pm at 12:46 pm (UTC -4)
Yes, I enjoyed your postgame as well!
Mr North Jersey
4/9/2012-11:34pm at 11:34 pm (UTC -4)
Kingman heads up I changed the Feat_Image to what you see ok.
kingman 26
4/10/2012-1:38pm at 1:38 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks Mr. N! I appreciate that and will email before my next post for your expert assistance on getting it right!
Mr North Jersey
4/9/2012-11:38pm at 11:38 pm (UTC -4)
What is wrong with this pic?
http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=media/gettyphoto/2012\04\09\142622159.jpg
saltygary
4/10/2012-7:12am at 7:12 am (UTC -4)
Not one person in a seat?
Mr North Jersey
4/10/2012-9:57am at 9:57 am (UTC -4)
Yup
Oklahoma Met
4/9/2012-11:39pm at 11:39 pm (UTC -4)
Lots to like 4 games in. The guys made me nervous pouncing on Murph. 2 surgically repaired knees can’t support the whole team mugging him!
Good sign, as Kingman touched on in his excellent recap, is that Wright is not flailing away at junk pitches. Not sure he has been K’d yet. Bay…bleh. LGM!
srt
4/10/2012-7:18am at 7:18 am (UTC -4)
Unfortunately, Wright had his first K in last nights game.
No matter. Right now he certainly looks locked in at the plate.
Mr North Jersey
4/9/2012-11:51pm at 11:51 pm (UTC -4)
If and when Torres gets back along with the continued struggles possibly of Bay. Can anyone envision a scenario where Bay/Nieuwenhuis platoon in LF with Torres in CF?
trs86
4/10/2012-12:05am at 12:05 am (UTC -4)
One the the AntiWrights will never admit to is the only reason Murphy had a chance to hit was fear of a red hot Wright. They went after Murphy in hope to get him then walk Wright. The also gave him the international pass earlier.
Hopefully Susan can get going and can move behind Ike to do the same.
Tejeda looms like a player. Nice job Captain K!
As for Bay I am curious about the eyes. He just seems to not see the ball well anymore and is completely guessing.
srt
4/10/2012-7:20am at 7:20 am (UTC -4)
I’m almost feeling sorry for Bay. He’s obviously lost something that appears he’s never going to get back.
It’s like his brain is not processing what his eyes are seeing quick enough to react to pitches.
Ceetar
4/10/2012-1:46pm at 1:46 pm (UTC -4)
I suppose it’s not out of the question that the concussion (and let’s not rule out the bat diameter rules either) did some irreparable damage that’s also undetectable. In a game of inches a split second delay in neurons firing can be the difference between major leaguer, and cubicle worker. There’s just so much we don’t know about the brain.
You don’t have to look for to see guys damaged well beyond showing symptoms from concussions and head-hits. To a lesser extent, Ryan Church may be a victim of the same thing. Had a good 2007? and a good start with the Mets and then never again.
kingman 26
4/10/2012-2:04pm at 2:04 pm (UTC -4)
Ceetar, the concussion happened after 95 games of a horrific 2010 season. He sucked before the concussion.
It is possible he just lost it overnight, but this is why I posit the idea of him being a PED user. He had five good seasons with a bad one mixed in, and then lost it instantly.
His using PEDs from 2004–2009 and then instantly stopping after signing his last big deal would explain a LOT. Sure, I have zero evidence, but there were lots and lots of players using who have yet to be exposed and maybe never will.
Bay’s being one of them would explain how he went from being a very good player to being so mediocre so very quickly.
It may not have been PEDs, but it most certainly was not the concussion, which happened AFTER he stopped hitting. Long after.
srt
4/10/2012-2:53pm at 2:53 pm (UTC -4)
I thought of that concussion to but remembered – as you said – he wasn’t exactly lighting the world on fire before he went down with that injury.
I don’t know about the PEDs though. Six years and never got caught? I suppose it’s possible but still….
Ceetar
4/10/2012-2:56pm at 2:56 pm (UTC -4)
95 games out of 1000 is not ‘way before’. (especially since he hit in the minors too) Nor was it anywhere near as bad as his 2011. He needed 100 more PA in 2011 to even reach the XBH plateau he had in 2010 when he was basically just an average player, not the hole he became. I’d take his .749 OPS in 2010 this year. That probably gets him ~50 XBH with an above league average OBP.
The steroid thing makes no sense. Specifically that he’d stop taking something. I’m not sure I buy that any players sign a contract and deduce it’s their last and just let up. (especially with an option year) And Bay certainly hasn’t looked like someone cashing checks and waiting for retirement.
Ceetar
4/10/2012-1:48pm at 1:48 pm (UTC -4)
correlary is that the brain is an amazing thing and the body’s ability to heal is also something we don’t know everything about. Maybe Bay woke up this morning suddenly refreshed and more alert than he’s been in years(don’t count on it). He’s older, but not exactly ancient.
Prismo
4/10/2012-12:07am at 12:07 am (UTC -4)
Ike did hit a grounder pretty hard near 1B which LaRoche made a really nice play to stop. He’ll break out of the slump, I’m sure of it!
Bay on the other hand…it’s been so long now. I think he may have surpassed Delgado’s “forever” slump before he put up those MVP-like numbers out of nowhere.
gipperpdx
4/10/2012-1:09am at 1:09 am (UTC -4)
Trying hard not to get TOO amped up…but this is a nice start! Pen has been amazing, Dwright and Murph are on fire, just a lot of fun to watch.
NJstuckinTX
4/10/2012-6:14am at 6:14 am (UTC -4)
Kong,
Grave-esque write up. Well done.
I’m afraid that unless the bats can score 4+ runs each time Pelf pitches, he is not going to be getting a great deal of W’s.
I’m not afraid of Go Big Murph coming thru in the clutch.
Bay is certainly toast. Like can’t even scrape off the black stuff to salvage a bite or two. As for Ike, it’s the chewing out of the umps that annoys me, but he’ll come around. It’s amazing to know this team is 4-0 and Ike and Bay have been non-factors in the meat of the order.
And Capt. K… That’s why I say hey man nice shot! He may certainly jump into a platoon if not a full time gig in CF if he’s not careful.
darknova306
4/10/2012-6:41am at 6:41 am (UTC -4)
Good writeup, Kong.
Nothing would make me happier than to see my boy Kaptain K return to his old form. He’s off to a superb start. 1 strikeout in 17 plate appearances? Mercy!
However the season winds up, they’re definitely a fun team to watch. Lots of youth and enthusiasm.
Dave
4/10/2012-7:23am at 7:23 am (UTC -4)
4-0!!! Alright!! Yeah!!! Let’s keep it going!!! I believe the Mets alltime record is 5-0….Ya Gotta Believe!!!!!
Hazmet
4/10/2012-12:49pm at 12:49 pm (UTC -4)
Nice write up. But, no mention of the missed call at second that was a big assist in getting Pelf through an inning. No way the Bay to Tejada play got the guy at second – except for the umps call which is all that counts. He makes the right call next hit makes it 4-0 with a guy on second and one out and we’re on our way to Pelfrey land.
I’ll take it, Pelf can use a break after all. Bobbie O was abusing his inability to hit his spot in the post game. Refered to one pitch as in the hitters “happy zone” but he just missed it.
kingman 26
4/10/2012-1:20pm at 1:20 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks for reading Haz, and yeah, maybe I should have mentioned it. I had everything but the summary done before the 9th, and with the way the game ended, I was pumped and wrote the summary quickly, and did not want the piece to be too long, as I have received comments on my lack of brevity.
But I appreciate the comment, and your reading of the piece!
kingman 26
4/10/2012-1:37pm at 1:37 pm (UTC -4)
Folks-Thank you SO much for the kind words. I have been absent a lot this offseason, but will be doing Monday postgames and will be here more.
NJMac–Your reference to Grave’s postgames was SUCH high praise—I always try to make them entertaining AND informative, and always feel like he is watching over me. I vow to always attempt to come somewhat close to the ultra-high standard he set.
Gategem–Your comment is the best compliment I have ever received on here, and perhaps my favorite compliment since a major Seattle musician told me in the early ’90s that my bass playing reminded him of a “punk Entwistle.” Thank you!