The slumping, last place, disappointing, N.L East Chumps Philadelphia Phillies came to Citi tonight to attempt to remember how to win a game, Vance Worley had the honors of representing the “fightless phils”. Jon Niese was on the hill for the Mets.
The Mets made Worley work hard every inning driving up his pitch count early in the game and exposing the weakness of the Phillies, besides their pitching and offense, their bullpen.
The Mets jumped to the lead immediately in the bottom of the first when, after an 11 pitch pop out by Ruben Tejada, Dan Murphy would hit a triple down the left field line. He would be chased home by a fielders choice out by David Wright. Carlos Ruiz, the only real hitter on the Phillies, would go yard in the top of the second to pull them the teams even, but it wouldn’t last long.
The Mets loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the second when Lucus Duda drew a walk and both Torres and Thole hit singles. That’s when Jon Niese hit a ball literally to Vance Worley who couldn’t field it scoring two runs. Ruben Tejada hit Niese to second setting up Daniel Murphy to hit his second extra base hit scoring Niese.
How did Niese respond by recieving a three run lead? By setting down the Phillies in order in the top of the third. In the bottom of the frame, The Great Chase Utley booted a Lucus Duda ball but was given a base hit by the official scorer. He would be stranded by a Scott Hairston strike out.. In the bottom of the fourth Thole hit a one out single up the middle. After a Niese sac bunt, Ruben Tejada worked Worley for another base hit up the middle scoring Thole from second. Dan Murphy hit a single for his third hit of the game scoring Tejada and putting himself in a position to hit for the cycle. The Mets ended the fourth with a 6-1 lead and drove Worley from the game. Both Wright and Tejada flashed some leather with ESPN web gems in the top of the fifth.
After a Niese walk in the bottom of the sixth, Ruben Tejada hit a ball over the glove of the Loud Mouth Jimmy Rollins putting runners on first and second for Daniel Murphy who popped the ball up for another out. That was when David Wright picked him up and absolutely tattooed a ball into the batters eye in center field giving the Mets a 8 run lead and blowing the game wide open.
Daniel Murphy hit another double in the bottom of the eighth giving himself his second 4 hit game of the year and padded the Met lead up to 10. Jon Niese would pitch a solid eight innings and not only get the W but also put the Mets 7 games over .500.
18 comments
srt
7/3/2012-10:02pm at 10:02 pm (UTC -4)
‘…fightless phils’ Nice, Gonzo.
IDK guys, it’s getting harder and harder to keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.
This team is for real right now. Hope they finish this home stand at least 5-1.
LGM!
Stick
7/3/2012-10:08pm at 10:08 pm (UTC -4)
I am granting Gonzo automatic membership into our Phillie haters club.
Welcome Gonzo! Grab a brew, don’t cost Nuttin.
Stick
7/3/2012-10:11pm at 10:11 pm (UTC -4)
I think the team is what you have been seeing. So I say yes, they are for real. Could go up or down a bit, but they are a legit team.
better question is, are the phils really this bad? But man, the locals are giving up early and packing it in big time. Not only for this year, but pretty much conceding the run is over, they need to rebuild, and it will be a few bad years coming to do it.
srt
7/3/2012-10:27pm at 10:27 pm (UTC -4)
They remind me of the where the 2009 Mets were at.
Stick
7/3/2012-10:28pm at 10:28 pm (UTC -4)
good comparison. Different type of team of course.
will be interesting to see what happens when all their stars are back later this month. Assuming, of course, they haven’t had a garage sale by then!
gategem
7/4/2012-1:46am at 1:46 am (UTC -4)
The Mets did not have a run like the Phillies have had. I compare it to the late 1950 Dodgers when all the stars they called the boys of summer became old.
gategem
7/4/2012-1:41am at 1:41 am (UTC -4)
You’ve been saying that for as long as you have commented here. I guess you were bound to get it right one of these years.
SaltyGary
7/4/2012-9:28am at 9:28 am (UTC -4)
Wow that was quick. There current run is over but they got some good players like Pence that they can work around. They don’t need to rebuild, but maybe shed some payroll and re-tool. They should definitely trade Hamals and maybe even try getting rid of Doc. Lee can’t be moved, he is having one of his bad years and has way to many 20m seasons that he is signed to. I think Doc may only have 2 more 20m years, so it may be worth taking a look. I also have no idea if he is supposed to be healthy in time so I may just be talking out of my ass.
Stick
7/3/2012-10:27pm at 10:27 pm (UTC -4)
Oh, and Terry, don’t go with the RH scrub lineup the next two days. Please.
Stick
7/3/2012-11:44pm at 11:44 pm (UTC -4)
saw this interesting stat (on BL of all places). And it was from before the game, so add 1 more:
The Mets lead baseball with 52 quality starts
darknova306
7/4/2012-12:06am at 12:06 am (UTC -4)
Still finding it hard to believe this team is for real. I guess I’m the only person that the past 5 years has made cynical. Oh well. Hopefully I eat crow at the end of the year.
gategem
7/4/2012-1:49am at 1:49 am (UTC -4)
Over the years I’ve seen promising seasons go sour in the second half so taking a wait and see attitude is fine.
darknova306
7/4/2012-1:58am at 1:58 am (UTC -4)
Well, every year as soon as I get back on board and get excited about the team, they fall apart and kick me in the nuts. Might as well hold out as long as possible this time.
SaltyGary
7/4/2012-9:29am at 9:29 am (UTC -4)
Are you kidding me I predicted 68 wins for the year. If they make the playoffs lets enjoy a plate of crow with some fine beer.
NJstuckinTX
7/4/2012-9:36am at 9:36 am (UTC -4)
Some Dale’s Pale, all around.
SaltyGary
7/4/2012-9:54am at 9:54 am (UTC -4)
That’s what I am drinking today!
darknova306
7/4/2012-10:04am at 10:04 am (UTC -4)
I’ll second that. Cheers! Off to the Berkshires to raid my friend’s beer cellar for the 4th.
Mr North Jersey
7/4/2012-12:44am at 12:44 am (UTC -4)
Nice win tonight. Mr Tejada what can be said for the way he has played this season but Wow.
Murphy continues to hit with a 4 hit night but the man of the evening was Jonathon Niese with a great 8 inning 3 hit 1 run allowed effort and what made it even better was he was backed up by some great defense behind him.
Happy 4th of July to everyone. Enjoy the day.
LGM!