The Mets beat the D-Backs 4-3 today at Citi Field.
Why the Mets won:
Johan Santana pitched fantastic today. He threw seven innings, allowing three runs on nine hits, earning his first win of the year, and his first win since 2010. Johan was really grinding it out and luckily, he finally got backup from the Mets offense (just enough, I’d like to point out). He walked one, struck out five, and threw 74 of his 108 total pitches for strikes.
Why the D-Backs lost:
Patrick Corbin. The young, inexperienced rookie was knocked out after just 3.1 innings, giving up four runs on five hits. The Mets really made him work. He threw 83 pitches on the night. After a quick first innings, they wouldn’t let Corbin rest, and finally got to him in the fourth inning, scoring four runs.
Points of discussion:
- Daniel Murphy had a fantastic game. He went 4-4 with a run scored. This great game raises his average to .315.
- Although I hate to admit it, Andres Torres has played pretty well so far this season. After controversy over whether he’d have a job when he came off the DL, Torres is 7 for 19 with six RBI. He was 1-3 today with two RBI and a walk.
- Kirk Nieuwenhuis got on base three times in four plate appearances today. He went 1-2 with two walks. He has impressed me with his ability to get on base in a variety of ways this season.
- The Mets played well today, in my mind. They got small contributions from a couple of different places, ultimately giving them enough to win. The key to success for this team is doing all the little things, with everyone contributing.
The Mets go for the series tomorrow, with R.A. Dickey on the hill for the Mets.
(Sorry for the brief recap everyone…)
23 comments
SpencerRealDirtyMets
5/5/2012-9:20pm at 9:20 pm (UTC -4)
The Pelf bandwagon may be on the DL, but the Torres one is going strong
.
Good recap, I like the point of discussion, may add that to my repertoire. And your point on the Mets working pitchers, that has been a great strength of this team, and should benefit them as the season wears on and the bullpens get shakier.
kingman 26
5/5/2012-9:29pm at 9:29 pm (UTC -4)
Torres has been very, very good thus far.
An OF of Kirk, Torres, and Duda could be the way to go.
SpencerRealDirtyMets
5/5/2012-9:34pm at 9:34 pm (UTC -4)
The 3-way platoon between Torres/Kirk/Bay will be interesting when he comes back, curious to see how Terry manages it.
ConnorUAF
5/5/2012-10:51pm at 10:51 pm (UTC -4)
A three-way platoon is a little much. The Mets should DESPERATELY try to unload Bay, that way it can be Torres in right Kirk in center, and possibly Duda in left. His move there is inevitable. Duda will move eventually to left.
Stickguy
5/5/2012-10:54pm at 10:54 pm (UTC -4)
sounds wonderful, but no one is taking Bay. Then again, he probably isn’t going to be back any time soon.
I can live with the 3 man rotation for a while, as long as they are getting production out of it.
I actually have been calling for this since the beginning of the season.
SpencerRealDirtyMets
5/6/2012-9:41am at 9:41 am (UTC -4)
I don’t think anyone will be taking Bay even if we eat most of the contract.
And Torres should be in center, he’ the better fielder.
Bryan
5/5/2012-10:12pm at 10:12 pm (UTC -4)
I think when Bay comes back you could have Kirk technically be the 4th outfielder, but playing all three outfield positions and playing 4-5 games per week. He can sub for Bay against tough righties, he could get a game in center once or twice a week, and against tough lefties he could play right, even though he wouldn’t necessarily hit he would be an upgrade defensively over Duda.
In games like today with Johan pitching when it’s almost all fly balls you want to get Torres and Kirk in the lineup together for the best defense possible.
trs86
5/5/2012-10:25pm at 10:25 pm (UTC -4)
Or you could have let Torres do that to start with.
srt
5/5/2012-9:41pm at 9:41 pm (UTC -4)
Nice post game wrap. Might have been brief but it’s certainly accurate.
C
For Met fans clamoring for Harvey to be called up now……interesting to note that Corbin never pitched in triple A and got the call up this year at just 22. Maybe he could have benifitted from some development at that level.
Torres doing everything he can to prove he belongs as a starting CF.
Anyone else automatically reaching for the rolaids when FF comes in for a save – especially when we only have a one run lead?
trs86
5/5/2012-10:26pm at 10:26 pm (UTC -4)
Dang, she gave him a C… LOL.
Stickguy
5/5/2012-10:45pm at 10:45 pm (UTC -4)
she’s either a really tough grader, or Conner was just named blog captain.
ConnorUAF
5/5/2012-10:52pm at 10:52 pm (UTC -4)
I’d go with the second one.
srt
5/6/2012-7:17am at 7:17 am (UTC -4)
No, I don’t know how that C got in there. Typing that on a tablet probably had something to do with it. LOL.
srt
5/6/2012-7:26am at 7:26 am (UTC -4)
Case in point, this comment got posted somehow without me clicking publish. Obviously me and new technology don’t quite get along. Was going to finish with I love the post game wrap up here this season. Like that y’all add your thoughts on the game instead of just the details of the game. Since I watch just about all games I know what transpired. I’m usually looking for my fellow Met fan opinions on what they’re seeing as well.
gategem
5/5/2012-10:33pm at 10:33 pm (UTC -4)
It was good to get that win and stop the bleeding. Parnell pitched well in a setup role and should inherit that assignment.
Connor a fine recap, succinct and to the point. Too many bloggers approach a recap as if they were writing the great American novel. Hyperbole becomes their byword.
Stickguy
5/5/2012-10:50pm at 10:50 pm (UTC -4)
parnell has been a revelation this year. And shows why you hate to give up on a big arm.
Stickguy
5/5/2012-10:49pm at 10:49 pm (UTC -4)
a fine win. then again, every win is a fine win. I watched a few middle innings until the 6th, then was out for a while and checked the score at dinner. was surprised to find the same 4-3. No BP runs? not used to that!
and for all the angst, drama, etc. in the met blog world in the last few days, guess what? The Mets are STILL IN THE PLAYOFFS (of the “if the season ended today” version).
what does this mean? a few teams are flying, and the rest of the NL is a whole lotta mediocrity. And if the mets can plug some of the leaks, and get some of the useless dudes contributing, they can be just as mediocre as the rest of the teams, and stay in the hunt!
gategem
5/5/2012-10:58pm at 10:58 pm (UTC -4)
What you forgot to add is that in spite of being forced to play an outstanding opponent the Mets hung in there both yesterday and today and although down after losing four straight showed grit, determination, hustle and a never say die attitude in today’s victory. They played like the champions they will become. If the Mets can avoid bad luck, sickness and injury surely the Mets will win the World Series.
Stickguy
5/5/2012-11:31pm at 11:31 pm (UTC -4)
Yes.
srt
5/6/2012-7:31am at 7:31 am (UTC -4)
On that note, I guess the Nats are for real this year, huh?
Mr North Jersey
5/5/2012-11:14pm at 11:14 pm (UTC -4)
Congrats to Santana on his 1st win since his surgery. Though the Dbacks seemed to hit Santana well, he managed to scatter the hits enough to only give up 3 runs over 7 innings. Mets end the losing streak and avoid falling below .500 for the 1st time in 2012. On a day where the 2 through 4 hitters go 0 for 11 they manage to score 4 runs.
Positives for me was Santana keeping the Mets in the game while going 7. Torres who has quietly joined the team and simply done what he can to help them win both in the outfield and at the plate where he has a 5 game hitting & RBI streak. Finally the pen for preserving the 1 run lead for a much needed win.
Dickey on the hill 2morrow. Lets take 2 out of 3.
LGM!!!
Stickguy
5/5/2012-11:32pm at 11:32 pm (UTC -4)
Then sweep the evil Phillies!
kingman 26
5/6/2012-12:06am at 12:06 am (UTC -4)
We win tomorrow with Dickey, we are again 2 games over .500 and really and truly giving the middle finger to the baseball devil with this incredibly thin and flawed team.
Really, if we win tomorrow and are 15-13 more than 1/6 into the season with lots of weak teams on the schedule over the next 3 weeks?
Then we really are living on borrowed time and getting more than we deserve.
I love that we are 14-13.
Please, let’s get to 15-13.
There is a developing school of thought that says that IF we can continue to stay at .500 or better with this team, that with Sandy and Terry and the pitchers developing in the minors, then MAYBE we can finish 2nd to Davey and the Nats over the next few years.