Summary:
The Mets moved to 4-0 in 2012 against their erstwhile nemesis the Atlanta Braves with a 6-1 victory at Turner Field tonight.
Dillon Gee was simply masterful. The combination of his poise and location, along with the increased use of his curve, had the Braves off balance all night, with Gee striking out five and inducing eleven groundouts. There were few hard hit balls all night.
The Braves got on the board first when Jack Wilson’s groundout drove in Brian McCann in the bottom of the 2nd. The Mets quickly tied it up in the top of the 3rd on a walk to Kirk Nieuwenhuis, who headed to second on a bad pickoff throw from Tommy Hanson, followed by a Gee sacrifice and a Ruben Tejada RBI groundout. That would end the scoring for the next three innings, largely due to Jason Bay’s phenomenal over-the-fence, home run saving catch on a long shot by Wilson; Gee clapped in relief and retired the next two Braves.
After Gee struck out to lead off the 6th, Tejada slammed his league-leading 6th double to left center, and moved to 3rd on a Murphy groundout to the right side. Wright then was intentionally walked, and Ike Davis came up having grounded out twice. Hanson fed him curve after curve, and it looked at first as though Ike would again soon take a seat in the dugout. He did, but after rounding the bases—he blasted Hanson’s 5th curve far over the right field fence for a 3-run HR that would prove to be the game-winning hit tonight.
The Mets added another run with Thole scoring on a Hanson wild pitch in the top of the 7th and Jason Bay matched his defensive solo HR with one off his bat to center in the top of the 9th to top off the 6-1 win.
As has been the case with surprising regularity in this young season, the bullpen was excellent. Jon Rauch came in for the 8th and followed a Bourn single with two flyouts and a groundout. Tim Byrdak came in for the 9th and got Uggla to fly out, then struck out Heyward and Hinske to end the game.
Player of the Game:
Dillon Gee was just fantastic tonight. He mixed in his curve along with his 90+ mph fastball and excellent changeup and had the Braves hitting weak grounders all night. He also had two sacrifice bunts which contributed to the Mets’ non-HR runs, and also fielded his position very well. After Thole’s catcher’s interference erased what appeared to be a double play and gave the Braves two on with no outs in the 7th, Gee dug in and retired the next three Braves on two Ks and a groundout. Gee appeared tonight to be a pitcher with vastly more potential than during the latter part of 2011 and showed amazing poise and maturity; even more impressive is that it was his 8th start against the Braves and they definitely don’t have him figured out. If Pelf and Gee continue to pitch as they did the last two days, this team is going to keep winning.
Play of the Game:
Jason Bay’s solo HR on defense. The maligning of Bay’s defense when the Mets signed him is perhaps the greatest example of Met-related media and blogger bloviation since the Legend of Gritty McHudson. Just as the tales of Hudson’s leadership and being a “great clubhouse guy” were utterly baseless fabrications, the same was true of the reports of Bay’s being “defensively challenged.” Now yes, the contract was Omar’s last great gift, and Bay on offense has been an unmitigated disaster. But he really is a pretty good left fielder. With the game tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the 5th, his perfectly timed leap to snare a would-be HR from Jack Wilson was majestic. A great moment, even more so in the midst of a tight 1-1 battle, this play showed what some of us may have been missing about Bay: his heart and—yes, I am going to say it—his grit. After the concussion two years ago, he could be excused for being shy around outfield walls. But he’s not. Bravo to Jason Bay for making a clutch, highlight reel, run-preventing play.
What’s to Like:
The increasingly unbelievable pitching. The starters are giving high quality starts every day; none of this 6 IP/3 ER nonsense. Once again a starter pitched great. 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K. Another shutdown performance by the pen with Rauch and Byrdak allowing one meaningless single and getting six outs from the seven batters they faced. The Mets have yet to face a formidable offense, but still, these are major league teams they are facing, and they have now allowed three runs or less in six of their ten games, and more than five runs just once. This is a recipe for a lot of wins.
Ike Davis’ resilience and maturation. In his first two at bats, Ike grounded out pretty weakly. In the top of the 6th, Hanson threw curve after curve; Ike battled, and with two strikes on him, Ike patiently waited for yet another curve, and blasted it to RF for a huge 3-run HR. Ike has started slowly and seems to be heating up with HRs in the last two games, but even more than this, it was the presence and discipline he displayed in finally mastering Hanson’s curve which was the offensive highlight of this game.
Josh Thole continuing to hit. Thole continues to tantalize and give the impression that he can indeed be a good hitter with a fine OBP for a catcher. He’s still learning to play his position, so his detractors may do well by relaxing and being patient with this hard-nosed young player. Even if he made the all-time blooper reel over the weekend.
What’s Not to Like:
Not much tonight. Not much at all. Except maybe armchair experts who still criticize Dan Warthen.
What’s Trivial But Interesting:
David Wright now has reached base at least twice in all seven games in which he has played this year. His intentional walk in the 6th helped set up the 3-run HR by Ike…Jason Heyward appears to be possibly regaining his form, with two well-hit singles which continued his hot hitting…dating back to last year, the Mets have now won 12 of 18 from the Braves.
What’s Next:
Tomorrow night at 7:10 Johan Santana takes his 0.90 ERA and opposes 22-year-old Randall Delgado who will be making his 9th MLB start.
It’s getting more and more difficult to deny what this team is beginning to look like. After the two losses to the Nats they went into Philly and won the first two. They followed yesterday’s rare bullpen implosion by going to Turner Field and decisively beating the Braves, and they have Johan going tomorrow. Gritty? Gutty? You decide.
It’s just ten games, but it’s been a revelatory and thrilling ten games. Let’s move to 8-3 tomorrow.
56 comments
ConnorUAF
4/16/2012-9:49pm at 9:49 pm (UTC -4)
Great win once again tonight, with the Mets improving to 7-3, and not just any 7-3, but 7-3 against the NL East. That’s a good sign, even if the Braves are terrible.
The pitching staff impresses me once again tonight. The starters this year have been sensational.
Also great to see Ike Davis hit a home run. I hope this is a sign of him starting to heat up.
kingman 26
4/16/2012-9:59pm at 9:59 pm (UTC -4)
Hey, the Braves are 5-1 against everyone but the Mets!!
srt
4/16/2012-10:07pm at 10:07 pm (UTC -4)
Nice wrap-up. Quick!
I don’t know how Gee does it but he gets the job done. When Thole was charged with catcher’s interference, instead of bases clearing double play, he’s looking at 2 on and no out. Does it rattle him? Nope, just bears down and gets the three outs, stranding the runners. If that was Pelfrey, we’d all have the Rolaids out.
Bay….great catch and a HR to boot.
Terry said on post game that he’s got a clinic going on now in the back with guys diving into a bag until they jam a finger. LOL.
I Like Ike.
Who didn’t know if Hanson continued throwing those curves, he was eventually going to hang one for Ike?
So far this season, I love playing the Braves.
kingman 26
4/16/2012-10:11pm at 10:11 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks! I am really trying this year. I keep score, and start writing in the 7th to have it up ASAP.
I appreciate you reading and your kind comments!
And let the record show that the Mets are 2-0 on Kingman Postgame nights.
Paul Festa
4/16/2012-10:14pm at 10:14 pm (UTC -4)
Good job, Kong!
kingman 26
4/16/2012-10:20pm at 10:20 pm (UTC -4)
Thank you sir!
And the Herradura Anejo tequila helps too.
I really recommend it for Gee’s starts.
srt
4/16/2012-10:16pm at 10:16 pm (UTC -4)
Oh, then we need you to be the official wrap up guy for at least 5 games a week!
Seriously, I love that if I miss any part of the game, I can come hear and read all the high and low points.
Mr North Jersey
4/16/2012-10:16pm at 10:16 pm (UTC -4)
Ha! I saw this after I posted my earlier comment.
wanny
4/16/2012-10:25pm at 10:25 pm (UTC -4)
SRT — last season it was a recurring theme of mine to point out that pelfrey lacked the poise that gee and niese both displayed. the latter two can gut out bad starts whereas pelfrey is like a ball of yarn…
that said, gee’s non dominant stuff requires him gut himself into an effective 4th – 5th starter while Pelfrey manages to gutless himself from a guy with 1-2 stuff into a 4-5 innings eater.
kingman 26
4/16/2012-10:40pm at 10:40 pm (UTC -4)
I think Gee’s stuff may have looked the best I have ever seen it tonight.
91-92 mph fastball, excellent change, and fine curve.
His poise was simply amazing.
Stickguy
4/16/2012-10:44pm at 10:44 pm (UTC -4)
not sure that he doesn’t have “dominant” stuff. Not when he has that kind of control. Just not a dominant FB.
kingman 26
4/16/2012-10:50pm at 10:50 pm (UTC -4)
And it is not just that–two sac bunts which helped score runs, and he fielded his position very well.
This was a great game by Gee.
srt
4/17/2012-7:38am at 7:38 am (UTC -4)
I see so many fans heavy into sabermetrics say time and time again that Gee stats indicate a less than ML competent pitcher. They’ll point to specific stats, making a case for why his success isn’t sustainable at this level and we should dump him at the first opportunity.
Now….I’m no sabermetric expert but I do try to delve into it some and keep an open mind. I don’t always understand the in-depth argument but I figure if they went to all the trouble to prove stat-wise why Gee’s not good, they must have a case.
Meanwhile, based on those type arguments – I keep waiting for him to fall apart and put a string of losses together that would rival Ollie’s record. Somehow though, I’ve really yet to see what they’re predicting.
Now….I don’t think he’s any type of top of the rotation pitcher but I think as a back end type, he’s more than competent. Every time I watch him pitch, I’m thinking ‘what am I missing regarding this saber argument that he’s not good????’
Stick
4/17/2012-8:43am at 8:43 am (UTC -4)
I thought saber kind of liked him? Maybe that was just the high K rate and good K/BB rates?
contrary to popular opinion (at some places!) I really don’t care about saber stuff, and pay very little attention to the minutia. I just like to see different perspectives.
srt
4/17/2012-9:29am at 9:29 am (UTC -4)
Well, the guys on AA keep touting he’s barely a replacement level pitcher.
Stick
4/17/2012-9:34am at 9:34 am (UTC -4)
numbers aren’t anything. So if he keeps it up, dig a little deeper.
There is also a major flaw with saber when looking at a guy now. those mumbers are based on history. So they can’t take into account any improvements made this soon.
new pitch, mechanics change, different approach. Any of that stuff could make him “better” than he used to be.
and at this point, results are what matters. If he continues to get the job done (in a bigger smaple size) either the numbers will have changed, or you need to dig deeper. Not every player fits neatly into the statisitical model. their are always outliers where you say “how does he do that with that stuff”?
wanny
4/17/2012-10:26am at 10:26 am (UTC -4)
numbers aren’t anything? then how do you judge a pitcher?
you may prefer some numbers over other numbers. even win totals are numbers. ERA is comprised of numbers. IP are numbers.
kingman 26
4/17/2012-10:26am at 10:26 am (UTC -4)
Ugh. Anyone who saw Gee pitch last night who would say he’s not an MLB pitcher is a complete idiot.
He was hitting 92, and had a curve AND a change which were working great.
I have been reading Bill James since 1981, I am familiar with all the new stats, but they are NOT right 100% of the time.
Angel Pagan’s ridiculous WAR in 2010 and Jason Bay’s (since “adjusted” I believe) UZR in Boston being classic examples.
Sure the new stats and tools are great, but it still has to be a combo of old stats, new stats, and watching a player develop, which many young players do.
Sorry, I am NOT going to AA to be introduced to another bunch of morons!
Paul Festa
4/16/2012-10:13pm at 10:13 pm (UTC -4)
It’s gotta be the beard.
Mr North Jersey
4/16/2012-10:16pm at 10:16 pm (UTC -4)
Is Kingman undefeated on nights he does postgames?
kingman 26
4/16/2012-10:18pm at 10:18 pm (UTC -4)
Damn right.
SpencerRealDirtyMets
4/16/2012-10:16pm at 10:16 pm (UTC -4)
Loving the rotation, hopefully they can all pitch well until July or August when some of the prospects start coming up. If they can do that we may just have a shot.
Stickguy
4/16/2012-10:39pm at 10:39 pm (UTC -4)
Dang, I forgot the game was on until I saw this. got late early tonight.
love to see them beating up on the Braves again. And wonderful to see Gee looking strong. Interesting pitcher. Not overpowering, but seems to becoming a real pitcher, with enough of an arsenal to get the job done. FB doesn’t have to be special if you have other plus pitches you can throw for strikes.
and thanks for dusting off one of my favorite lines ( the Legend of Gritty McHudson.) Proud of that one.
saltygary
4/16/2012-11:45pm at 11:45 pm (UTC -4)
Aint nuttin but a G thang!
gategem
4/17/2012-1:48am at 1:48 am (UTC -4)
A great job Kong. I truly appreciated your recap since with BBC America starting a new season of Top Gear my attention was elsewhere. And as I said on another thread as long as it lasts I will enjoy the heck out of this ride the Mets have us on. Right now at the start of every game I feel the Mets can and will win it. It’s a great feeling to have but I’d still rather watch Top Gear.
kingman 26
4/17/2012-10:06am at 10:06 am (UTC -4)
Thank you sir!
gategem
4/17/2012-6:28am at 6:28 am (UTC -4)
According to Andy Martino the “NY Mets will give Miami Marlins’ Jose Reyes video tribute upon his return to Flushing April 24”
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/ny-mets-give-miami-marlins-jose-reyes-video-tribute-return-flushing-april-24-article-1.1062755?localLinksEnabled=false
If this is true I believe it to be an excellent move by the front office. After the tribute the fans in attendance should give Reyes a standing ovation for his years of service (he’s the best SS the Mets have ever had) and thereafter boo his a$$ every time he comes to bat.
Stickguy
4/17/2012-7:14am at 7:14 am (UTC -4)
I agree with the boo his A$$ off part!
Stickguy
4/17/2012-7:15am at 7:15 am (UTC -4)
and they need a cheer.
something like “monee monee, I love monee”. something to the tune of jose jose.
Hey, all in fun, and if it gets him off his game at all, does the job!
srt
4/17/2012-7:43am at 7:43 am (UTC -4)
LOL….
Not sure how I feel about this tribute.
I suppose it’s the ‘classy’ thing to do but the Jose Reyes era in NY is over. Time to move on.
Stick
4/17/2012-8:53am at 8:53 am (UTC -4)
screw him. He was all lip service IMO. Did not have any particular desire to stay in NY or love for the fans. ANd I belive that the bolt to Miami was planned well in advance.
He left for the money (regardless of how you think about the “box of chocolate” crap) and because he wanted to go elsewhere. So, he is just the enemy now. Ignore him.
saltygary
4/17/2012-9:21am at 9:21 am (UTC -4)
Everyone should come to the stadium with crutches and a leg brace. Or maybe throw ham on the field for pulled hammy? I got it, they should name a pulled pork sandwich after him.
srt
4/17/2012-9:31am at 9:31 am (UTC -4)
You know, I don’t remember them doing this for any other player over the years. I see Cerrone has a tweet also asking if we did this for Piazza. Not that I remember……
saltygary
4/17/2012-9:42am at 9:42 am (UTC -4)
There was a video tribute for Piazza, I remember watching it.
Hard to see since it’s a fan video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lW-nm2q0aI
srt
4/17/2012-9:54am at 9:54 am (UTC -4)
Better memory than me, Salty. Thanks.
kingman 26
4/17/2012-10:05am at 10:05 am (UTC -4)
Of course he left for the money.
Almost all of them do.
But he DID take a below market deal and stayed here for a while, and remember, the Mets offered him NOTHING this time around.
It would have been hard for Jose to convince his agents to stay here and play for free.
Stick
4/17/2012-10:15am at 10:15 am (UTC -4)
he didn’t take a below market deal. he traded arb years and a small piece (1 year?) of FA for a guaranteed deal. Remember, he had a recent history of leg issues (and some mediocre years) at the time, so no guarantee he was ever going to make that much.
if he kept breaking down, he would not have.
so at the time, it was a fair deal all around. And like any insurance policy, risk transference costs you money!
trs86
4/17/2012-10:40am at 10:40 am (UTC -4)
Actually Kingman he would not have been playing for free. He could have accepted arbitration but obviously he wasn’t doing that.
kingman 26
4/17/2012-10:45am at 10:45 am (UTC -4)
Well TRS, just between you and me, and don’t tell anyone, but hyperbole and me are not strangers…
trs86
4/17/2012-10:55am at 10:55 am (UTC -4)
Oh I know what you mean but my point is that in semantics he did have an offer from the Mets and he did choose to take the money.
Prismo
4/17/2012-9:52am at 9:52 am (UTC -4)
I harbor no ill-will toward Reyes and wish him the best of luck (of course, also that his team finishes with 60 wins)….however I disagree with this move. I’m having trouble putting WHY into words, but it just doesn’t feel right.
(and this is coming from someone who is in favor of a Chipper tribute)
trs86
4/17/2012-9:54am at 9:54 am (UTC -4)
I harbor all kinds if ill will to Reyes. Not because he left but because he is a Marlin. I hope he bats .230 and makes people forget about Carl Crawford.
saltygary
4/17/2012-9:59am at 9:59 am (UTC -4)
For me the Piazza tribute is different. Piazza left because his career was in the downturn and it was time to move on. The team also made it to the world series with him. Reyes wanted to leave, and there is nothing wrong with that. Once he’s done playing, roll his wheelchair out and give him a tribute then.
kingman 26
4/17/2012-10:04am at 10:04 am (UTC -4)
I am for a small tribute to Chipper. He occupies a special place as a Met-killer.
I definitely favor a tribute to Reyes. He was a major factor on this team from when he was a minor leaguer. I closely followed his injuries–oops, I mean career–for over a decade. I hope he does well in Miami.
I really cannot blame him for what he did after the last three years, and when he really did not receive any offers at all other than from the Marlins. He and his agents know his injury history, and know that this was almost certainly his one big chance to cash in, after winning the batting title.
Jose wasn’t a bad guy like Vince Coleman, he wasn’t a clubhouse cancer like Eddie Murray, he wasn’t out of shape like Castillo, he wasn’t a head case freak like Oliver Perez. He was just brittle and soft; cannot hate him for that.
So I would stand and cheer for Jose if I was there, as should everyone. And then go out and beat the crap out of the Marlins.
Prismo
4/17/2012-10:07am at 10:07 am (UTC -4)
My tribute to Chipper would probably some kind of very short video of his achievements (somehow, a video of his big knocks vs our own team doesn’t quite make sense). That would be followed by the video board instructing Mets fans to chant LAAAAARRY several times. I think Chipper would get a kick out of it. Better yet, get Piazza to record a video leading the chant.
Stick
4/17/2012-10:16am at 10:16 am (UTC -4)
I Love the idea. have some fun with the guy. and you are right, he would appreciate it.
kingman 26
4/17/2012-10:20am at 10:20 am (UTC -4)
I like it. Even better would be to show a montage of Chipper striking out and making errors against the Mets! Surely those plays exist, and he would probably laugh his ass off and be a great sport about it, and the fans would love it too. It would be a classic moment.
Prismo
4/17/2012-10:31am at 10:31 am (UTC -4)
LOL. Okay you took the idea to its farthest possible point, and I love it. I agree, Chipper would think it was hilarious.
Of course I believe the Mets are too lame to try anything fun like this. In reality it’ll be a 30 second montage playing to sad music.
kingman 26
4/17/2012-10:41am at 10:41 am (UTC -4)
Thanks Prismo, and seriously, when I was writing this, I was visualizing it and it would be absolutely spectacular. Chipper would stand there laughing, the fans would go crazy, and it would be SUCH a great moment.
Stick
4/17/2012-10:18am at 10:18 am (UTC -4)
Chipper is different. He is a major star (probably an easy HOF guy) that is finally retiring, so yes, teams should acknowledge that.
I would say the same thing if it was Pujols. Not A Rod of course.
gategem
4/17/2012-10:52am at 10:52 am (UTC -4)
A-Rod is a first ballot HOFer. When he retires there will be acknowledgement of his significant accomplishments. Expect the Yankees to turn it into a major event.
BTW when Jeter announces his retirement Ceetar will have to hide because there will major celebrations not only by the Yankees but by NYC as well. The City will probably give Jeter the key and perhaps a ticker-tape parade.
trs86
4/17/2012-10:54am at 10:54 am (UTC -4)
You think he is? You don’t think the Roids issue will cloud things?
wanny
4/17/2012-10:28am at 10:28 am (UTC -4)
familia and harvey both struggling in their early AAA games. Both will right the ship, I am sure.
The name Cory Mazzoni will start to be featured more prominently in Mets prospects discussions very shortly.
kingman 26
4/17/2012-10:48am at 10:48 am (UTC -4)
Irony of ironies would be if Harvey is a bust and Pelf and Gee and Niese are the future.
Well, Niese and Gee anyway.
trs86
4/17/2012-10:53am at 10:53 am (UTC -4)
Lets hope there is no irony and Harvey and Wheeler lead a rotation backed up by Niese, Gee and Dickey.
kingman 26
4/17/2012-11:13am at 11:13 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, that would be good, wouldn’t it?