Things were looking status quo for the Mets today through 6. Pelfrey had allowed some damage early giving up a run in the first but was able to avoid a disaster by getting Philly after Philly to ground out with his pitches getting down in the zone. Pelf finished with 6 innings pitched, 99 pitches-61 for strikes and only one run allowed. The new look Mets pen was ready to come in and nail down the sweep.
Unfortunately for the 2nd straight appearance Ramon Ramirez just didn’t have it. After giving up 2 hits, 2 walks and a run in his last appearance vs the Nats, he followed up with a 3 hit 2 run performance and blown save in today’s contest. Not to be outdone, Acosta came in for the 8th and put the game out of reach. Thanks to a throwing error from Ruben Tejada which pulled Ike off the bag, none of the 4 runs that Acosta allowed will be tacked on his ERA. By the time Miggy came in the game was officially in mop up duty and he provided similar results allowing another run as the Phillies batted around in the 8th to give the Phillies an 8-2 advantage.
So the good news is that the Mets did win another series, this time in Philly. Also there were very encouraging signs from Pelfrey who if he can provide 6 innings of manageable baseball will be a plus for the Mets. While the bullpen imploded today giving up 7 runs (3 earned), it was not the go to guys today. Ramirez I think will be but he is struggling right now. Acosta and Miggy are guys that could be on the way out as the season progresses. More good news in the fact that Ike managed to double his BA with 2 hits including a 2 run homerun vs Hamels in the first. Wright continues to hit well going 2-4 and sporting a .571 BA, and Duda followed up yesterday’s two hit performance with 2 more hits.
For a full recap check out: MLB Gameday
Tomorrow the Mets take on the red hot Braves who after losing their first 4 games have won 5 in a row. On the mound for the Mets will be Dillon Gee opposing Tommy Hanson who was the hard luck loser on opening day vs the Mets. Something to keep an eye on for Hanson is that his velocity has been down and he has been unable to get out of the 5th inning running up high pitch counts in a hurry. For a full preview: MLB Gameday Preview
29 comments
TRS86
4/15/2012-5:24pm at 5:24 pm (UTC -4)
Just in case you thought I was too rosy following a loss, the Mets future and past in Buffalo got destroyed today. Harvey gave up 6 runs (5 earned) in 3.2 innings and Holt allowed another 3 in 1.2. Egbert continues to pitch well however. (7 innings, 2 hits, 1 walk, 0 runs and 7 K’s). He may be on the short trip soon.
kingman 26
4/15/2012-5:30pm at 5:30 pm (UTC -4)
People are WAY too high on Harvey based on his results above A ball thus far.
TRS86
4/15/2012-7:11pm at 7:11 pm (UTC -4)
There’s a reason that scouts are all high on him though. After those first 6 in AA he looked pretty dang good. Too early to be concerned about him. I still think he has top of the rotation potential.
SaltyGary
4/15/2012-5:35pm at 5:35 pm (UTC -4)
Harvey had a real slow start when he was moved up to AA. Took him about 6 games to figure it out. He could of went to AA seeing he didn’t spend much time there. He just needs to adjust, he will be fine.
srt
4/15/2012-7:07pm at 7:07 pm (UTC -4)
I thought Buffalo pulled off a win today?
TRS86
4/15/2012-7:35pm at 7:35 pm (UTC -4)
They did but not due to the pitching, LOL. Jordany hit a walk off single in the bottom of the 10th in a 10-9 game. It was his only hit of the game.
Stickguy
4/15/2012-7:42pm at 7:42 pm (UTC -4)
that explains how 1 guy pitched 32/3, and the other one pitched 7!
TRS86
4/15/2012-8:23pm at 8:23 pm (UTC -4)
My bad, that’s his line on the season. I did not mean tonight. LOL.
kingman 26
4/15/2012-5:24pm at 5:24 pm (UTC -4)
Well, we won 2 of 3, it was the back part of the pen that got shelled, Pelf was OK, we lost to a very good pitcher, etc.
Let’s get 2 of 3 in ATL.
TRS86
4/15/2012-5:28pm at 5:28 pm (UTC -4)
True, but a very good pitcher that the Mets have a history of success against. They had their chances to win today but you can’t go to the well every game with Parnell, Rauch and Frank.
kingman 26
4/15/2012-5:30pm at 5:30 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, but they did not shell Hamels all of those times–definitely some low-scoring games in there.
Stickguy
4/15/2012-7:48pm at 7:48 pm (UTC -4)
Ramirez needs to step up to keep the pen solid. I look at it as needing 5 ” real guys to keep it going. Most pens probably are 5 deep at best, with the last 2 guys just being filler for mop up duty. Such as Batista.
speaking of him, hopefully he is not around long. Does not really look like a ML level player.
and to think, in ST there were people that thought cutting Pelf and putting Batista or Harvey in the rotation was a good idea!
TRS86
4/15/2012-8:24pm at 8:24 pm (UTC -4)
Batista was fine last year but maybe his age caught up over the winter.
gategem
4/15/2012-5:34pm at 5:34 pm (UTC -4)
The Mets had a successful weekend in Philadelphia and according to WC Fields that is quite an accomplishment.
“I once spent a year in Philadelphia, I think it was on a Sunday.”
The Phillies right now remind me of the early to mid-70’s Mets. Three excellent starters but not much offense to back them up.
BTW the teams defense let the relief staff down today. Duda’s bad jump misplayed a popup into an important single and Tajada’s error opened the flood gates for the Phillies. While errors happen and Tajada has played a competent SS Duda continues to be an adventure in RF.
NJstuckinTX
4/15/2012-9:25pm at 9:25 pm (UTC -4)
Duda’s O needs to step up to compensate for his troubles on D.
Same for Murph, though he’s been adequate thus far.
darknova306
4/15/2012-9:59pm at 9:59 pm (UTC -4)
We should reasonably expect most of the young guys to be up and down all season. They’re still, especially Duda, learning to deal with the league. Murphy’s been around for a while, but Ike and Lucas are still fairly inexperienced in the big leagues. Adjusting will be the name of the game this season.
srt
4/15/2012-6:57pm at 6:57 pm (UTC -4)
I was pretty sure that one run lead would not hold up. However, I thought Pelf would be the one to give up the lead. I have to give him credit for only allowing that one run cause he clearly didn’t have it early on.
Can someone tell me why Batista was in that game? Anyone?
If Duda had got a better read on that fly ball, that inning could have been far different.
Ruben’s error didn’t help either.
For those that complain about Thole’s defense behind the plate, Niche as didn’t look much better today.
Yeah, Ike ’cause otherwise this would have been a shutout.
2 of 3 in Philly. I’ll take it.
NJstuckinTX
4/15/2012-9:27pm at 9:27 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed. It was a good series, with the Phils only scoring 2 runs in the first 2 games. Gonna be a roller coaster of a season. Can you only imagine what the team would be like if Ike/Bay/Duda would actually hit consistently?
saltygary
4/15/2012-9:33pm at 9:33 pm (UTC -4)
Off topic fantasy… I had it all tied up at 6pm and then Kershaw blew it. So typical of the first week having the two top scorers face off.
darknova306
4/15/2012-9:56pm at 9:56 pm (UTC -4)
I feel your pain. My starting pitchers on most of my fantasy teams have been garbage early in the season.
NJstuckinTX
4/15/2012-10:02pm at 10:02 pm (UTC -4)
What’s your thoughts on Chimay Blue label?
darknova306
4/15/2012-10:07pm at 10:07 pm (UTC -4)
Really good. One of the first Belgians I tried when I was getting into better beer. I would recommend Westmalle Dubbel if you like Chimay Blue.
NJstuckinTX
4/15/2012-10:00pm at 10:00 pm (UTC -4)
All I can say is whew…
TRS86
4/15/2012-10:07pm at 10:07 pm (UTC -4)
I jumped out to a big lead and now I am having to come from behind. It’s coming down to the wire.
Stickguy
4/15/2012-10:20pm at 10:20 pm (UTC -4)
I said in the dugout that bringing in batista was waiving the white flag.
I the D and Ramirez had held the fort in the 7th (or if Pelf had gone one more successfully) never would have seen him.
darknova306
4/15/2012-10:30pm at 10:30 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, Batista hasn’t shown much to be faithful in. He’s looked absolutely awful.
srt
4/16/2012-7:15am at 7:15 am (UTC -4)
You guys are in the dugout?
First couple of games it was just me and the ever present ceetar. Kind of lonely in there. I hunt out on the AA game thread.
wanny
4/15/2012-10:30pm at 10:30 pm (UTC -4)
this game proves that the Mets just cant win without Jason Bay. MVP.
Is it me or has Mike Pelfrey become Steve Trachsel? Serviceable, keeps you in most games, but treacherous to watch, too many base runners and just a feeling of blah all the way through?
srt
4/16/2012-7:17am at 7:17 am (UTC -4)
LOL, Bay MVP….
Tell you what, Pelfrey pitches almost as slow as Trachsel did. He has no kind of rhythm out there. Once he puts someone on base, he slows down even more.
I get the comparison though. Think the difference with Trachsel was he at least got some run support.