Last night, most of the Mets fanbase was thinking about what the net two weeks would be like for the team with Daniel Murphy manning the hot corner. 24 hours later, David Wright is back, and looks like he’s in mid-season form. Yesterday, Terry Collins told the media that Wright would go on the disabled list today if the swelling in his broken pinkie finger didn’t subside. Today, Wright not only returned, but flourished.
In the first, Wright was the first to strike for the Mets. With two outs in the top of the first against Vance Worley, Wright hit the first pitch he saw over the fence in center field. Wright ended the day 3-5 with two runs scored.
In the bottom of the first, Jon Niese got to work and pitched very well. Niese managed to scatter five hits and a walk over 6.2 innings. He also struck out five.
Niese was given a bigger cushion when the Mets had their biggest rally of the game in the top of the fourth. Daniel Murphy led off with a walk, which was followed by a David Wright single. Ike Davis also singled, loading the bases for Jason Bay with no outs, the best possible situation and what does he do? Grounds into the double play. Luckily, Daniel Murphy scored on the play, giving the Mets a two-run advantage. Then, Lucas Duda stepped up to the plate and hit a clutch two-run home run off Vance Worley, who allowed four runs on eight hits over six innings. The hit was Duda’s first since the third game of the season.
Bobby Parnell was given a chance in a major role for the second straight game. Parnell entered the game for Niese in the seventh, getting the last out. He allowed a hit in the eighth, but kept the Phillies from scoring. In the ninth in a non-save situation, Terry Collins took advantage of having two closers, giving Frank Francisco a rest by using Jon Rauch. Rauch had no problem with the Phillies, pitching a perfect ninth inning and closing a 5-0 win for the Mets.
The Mets are really impressing me right now. Besides their two losses to the Nationals, their offense has come through and so has the pitching. Jon Niese followed up with a good performance today after flirting with a no-no in his last start. What was the most gratifying, however, was seeing David Wright hitting. There was so much concern over what would happen in the few weeks without him, with most people expecting him to go on the DL today. Well, not only was he feeling better, but he had a great game as well. Hopefully, Wright will be able to pick up right where he left off and help the Mets win some ball games like he did today.
The Mets go for the sweep tomorrow at 1:35. Cole Hamels (0-0, 5.06) will go up against Mike Pelfey (0-0, 4.76).
29 comments
kingman 26
4/14/2012-7:16pm at 7:16 pm (UTC -4)
It’s almost hard to believe.
If Tejada and Murph keep it up, it Parnell really has arrived, if Wright really is back, and if Niese has also finally arrived, this team can be pretty damn good.
It’s just 8 games, but damn, a fun 8 games.
And we face Hole Camels tomorrow.
SWEEP.
Stickguy
4/14/2012-7:57pm at 7:57 pm (UTC -4)
you’re back baby. In with both feet.
Not referring to you, since I know you were just trying to keep from getting hurt, but a truly satisfying part of the mets having a good season will be rubbing it in the face of some of the more obnoxious posters on various sites that were morbidly negative. 65 wins if everything possible went right? down there with the ’62 powerhouse? They were never that bad.
darknova306
4/15/2012-12:08am at 12:08 am (UTC -4)
Until they have at least a quarter season like this under their belts, what little optimism I have will remain extremely cautious. They’re not winning 75% of their games, like their current pace, so let’s see them go through a few good and bad stretches before making any new long term judgements.
Mr North Jersey
4/14/2012-7:17pm at 7:17 pm (UTC -4)
Mets continue to impress in all facets of the game.
Capt Kirk with the nice play at CF. Wright with the HR to start the game. Niese with a great pitching effort. Parnell and Rauch with continued solid appearances.
Tejada continues to play well. Duda with a bomb.
The Mets so far are 6-2 vs what some described as the toughest division in baseball.
They have now twice reached 4 games above .500. A high that was only reached once all of 2011.
Wright so far this season has 1 strikeout. He also has at least 1 rbi in every game he has played this season.
Tejada has a 6 game hitting streak.
I think I just about covered it. I don’t know about everyone else but I am going to enjoy this for as long as I can.
LGM!!!
kingman 26
4/14/2012-7:24pm at 7:24 pm (UTC -4)
It’s amazing. It is SO rewarding to be watching this when I expected so little.
If Niese, Tejada, Parnell, and Wright are for real, damn, it could be a fun summer.
ConnorUAF
4/14/2012-7:26pm at 7:26 pm (UTC -4)
They need Duda and Davis also.
Stickguy
4/14/2012-7:58pm at 7:58 pm (UTC -4)
duda is coming alive. I think today is going to jump start him Actually started yesterday, with that big sac fly. Look for him to go off on a nice extended hot streak.
When he does, just need Ike and Bay to start chipping in.
kingman 26
4/14/2012-7:22pm at 7:22 pm (UTC -4)
And Connor–Watch Parnell–if he has in fact finally developed another pitch and maturity, he could eventually be a devastating closer.
ConnorUAF
4/14/2012-7:24pm at 7:24 pm (UTC -4)
He does have the potential. We have seen flashes. I certainly hope he becomes a devastating closer. I think he’ll end up being somewhere in the middle though because of his inconsistency. Solid setup man (like Jon Rauch).
ConnorUAF
4/14/2012-7:25pm at 7:25 pm (UTC -4)
Having a knuckle curve that Parnell has and a fastball isn’t enough. I’m glad he realizes that. Remember when he started for a while?
Stickguy
4/14/2012-8:00pm at 8:00 pm (UTC -4)
he has 3 pitches though now with the knuckle job. And since he is actually working the FB correctly that plus the KC and his off speed (still a slider? Not sure exactly what he is using) he can be quite effective.
srt
4/14/2012-7:26pm at 7:26 pm (UTC -4)
Impressing indeed.
Wright is such a gamer.
Niese looking good in his second start.
BP continues to be sharp.
Duda starting to hit – wish Ike would join him.
I initially said end of last year – that I thought Tejada would be a light hitting, good defensive SS. So far, he’s proving me incorrect on that offense prediction. Happy to be wrong on this.
Stickguy
4/14/2012-7:51pm at 7:51 pm (UTC -4)
this has been a really satisfying weekend so far. If they can beat up on Hamels again, it would be icing on the cake.
and man, 6-2 start is way better than 5-13 (or whatever it was they were last year).
Assuming they keep up being competitive, Sandy really better be looking to add help at the deadline. Would not be a good thing to be in the race, and salary dumping again!
Stickguy
4/14/2012-8:10pm at 8:10 pm (UTC -4)
of all the early season surprises, I think Tejada has to be the biggest. Wright you know should be able to do this. FF has been around. Neise has had stretches.
But Tejada I was not expecting to see this level of maturity, and overall good play especially with the bat. not expecting him to keep up with a .923 OPS all year, but enjoy it while you can!
Mr North Jersey
4/14/2012-8:16pm at 8:16 pm (UTC -4)
McCulloughSL (Beat Writer / Columnist)
Justin Turner’s post first-inning homer celebration: ““I ran down to [trainer] Ray [Ramirez] and asked him to break my finger.”
http://twitter.com/McCulloughSL/statuses/191310706182864897
LOL
danthemanmurphy
4/14/2012-8:50pm at 8:50 pm (UTC -4)
That was the best thing on twitter tonight.
Great win. Feels good!
Oklahoma Met
4/14/2012-8:19pm at 8:19 pm (UTC -4)
6-2 after 8 games. Much better start than I expected. Fun team to watch right now for sure. Capt. Kirk hit the ball hard today. Does Torres automatically take over when he gets back? Small sample size for Kirk to be sure, but he def looks like he belongs.
Stickguy
4/14/2012-8:28pm at 8:28 pm (UTC -4)
I agree about Kirk. Liking what I am seeing so far. Hopefully he stays and plays even if Torres comes back.
srt
4/14/2012-8:52pm at 8:52 pm (UTC -4)
I can see what there saying about Kirk going all out when playing defense which accounted for some of his injuries. Did you see that catch today? Dude has no fear of fences.
TRS86
4/14/2012-9:16pm at 9:16 pm (UTC -4)
Yup writing might be on the wall for Bay if Torres comes back and is solid
Stickguy
4/14/2012-9:34pm at 9:34 pm (UTC -4)
yeah, gotta figure Kirk is going to stay and play, with Baxter going down. And some of that PT has to come out of Bay.
some rotation of Bay, Torres and Kirk, though I would be happy to see Kirk pretty much playing every day.
NJstuckinTX
4/14/2012-9:48pm at 9:48 pm (UTC -4)
Solid win indeed. And a sweep? It will be the city of brotherly sobbing and angst should that occur.
I will not get over excited just yet (6-2 to start the season IS awesome), but I think it goes to show everyone that the NL East isn’t the juggernaut everyone thought it would be.
- The Philths offense is horrible.
- Hotlanta isn’t much better.
- Florida is mess and is showing that the Omar style of a couple high priced adds doesn’t a multitude of needs cover.
- The Gnats… Well… They, I think, are the real deal.
That Niese deal is looking sweet so far.
Lastly, pickles as a snack are highly underrated. Just saying.
Stickguy
4/14/2012-10:04pm at 10:04 pm (UTC -4)
agreed that so far the division isn’t quite living up to expectations But, that is why you play the season, instead of doing a prediction and calling it a year!
what a meltdown today by Miami. That Bell contract not living up to billing either is it?
Hey, wonder if Zambrano went nuts after having the win blown for him in spectacular fashion?
Mr North Jersey
4/14/2012-10:39pm at 10:39 pm (UTC -4)
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=20623397
Oklahoma Met
4/14/2012-11:06pm at 11:06 pm (UTC -4)
Error couldn’t have happened to a better person imo. Something about LoMo just screams Sams Club Super Size Doosh
Stickguy
4/15/2012-9:26am at 9:26 am (UTC -4)
cool thanks.
I was thinking that even better would be if Ramirez made a huge error to blow the game, and on that play, he did botch getting the out at 3B. Did not end up costing more runs, but did prolong the inning. Loved the announcer referring to him having “alligator arms” on it!
gategem
4/15/2012-1:40am at 1:40 am (UTC -4)
I love the way the Mets have come out of the gate and if this was football the Mets would be half way through the season. But alas there are 162 games and we are only 5% of the way through this season. It’s a long way to Tipperary.
darknova306
4/15/2012-2:14am at 2:14 am (UTC -4)
And that’s exactly why it’s way too early to get overly optimistic. No team is as good as their best stretches or as bad as their worst. Their current .750 winning percentage is awesome, but it’s not something to base your hopes on.
Stickguy
4/15/2012-9:27am at 9:27 am (UTC -4)
I’m just enjoying life as long as it lasts baby.