(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Update: This is where I usually put the score, but I forgot to. The Mets won 6-5.
SECOND UPDATE: GIRL IN BLUE
Tonight was not a night in which Mr. Dickey had his best knuckler. This fact combined with the Mets defense not performing well (not that it is to be expected), led to a tumultuous outing for RA. The Mets offense certainly did its job however, getting to Cliff Lee (Cole Hamels is who I meant, thanks Stick) to the tune of four runs over seven innings.
More about that Mets defense though- it was terrible. Dickey walked just one batter while striking out seven, and he didn’t allow a home run. The Phillies just kept putting the ball in play, and the Mets defense kept letting them fall in. There was no discernible difference in the way that Hamels and Dickey pitched tonight, other than the defenses behind them.
In the first inning it was apparent that this game would be anything but filled with run prevention from the Mets, as Dickey would allow his first run in the first inning all year.
After allowing another run in the second on a Jimmy Rollins double, the Mets would get one of the runs back in the bottom of that same inning. The aforementioned run came courtesy of Lefty Masher ©, Scott Hairston, hitting another home run off of left-handed pitching. They would make up the second run in the bottom of the third inning, on an RBI single from David Wright (more from him later).
The Phillies would regain the lead in the top of the fourth on a Hunter Pence groundball single, on which Dickey had no fault other than allowing it not to be near a fielder. David Wright, as mentioned before, would respond by hitting a go ahead two-run shot that would give the Mets their first lead of the game.
Jimmy Rollins would tie the game on a triple, coupled with a poor relay, allowing Cole Hamels (!) to score from first. Juan Pierre would squeeze Rollins in to give the Phillies the lead.
The game would slog along at that point, with the only notable even being Pedro Beato getting a big out on John Mayberry with runners on first and second and two out. If he can get some of those it would be immensely helpful to the Mets’ bullpen.
In the 9th, the Mets would get the tying run to 3rd base with just one out, and Kirk coming up. He (predictably) would strike out, leaving the game up to Jonathon Papelbon Killer © Jordany Valdespin. He wold fearlessly stand in there as Papelbon would pound him with waaaaay inside pitches, and not back down. He eventually would be hit by a pitch, bringing up my favorite, Rubes.
Tejada would have an epic at-bat, and it would culminate with a walk. Tejada showcased his excellent plate discipline, laying off a curve for either ball two or three (I’m typing as this is going down, cut me a break), and a cloooooose fastball for ball four. Here comes El Murphito.
Murphy would hit a grondball back to Papelbon OH MY GOD IT HIT HIS ANKLE, IS MURPHY SAFE AT FIRST?? YEES!!! AAAAAHHH!!!!! YOU DON’T GET COVERAGE LIKE THIS AT METSBLOG DO YOU!!!!!!!!!!111!!!111!!1!
UPDATE: Wright would bloop a single to right to win the game, and the BABIP Gods smile upon us finally.
Continue reading for some notes on tonight’s game.
Yeah, Dickey pitched pretty well tonight. The Met defense was poor at best, with Lucas Duda being front and center in the awful-ness. This is why Torres is valuable folks…
David Wright’s home run was one of those moments where you just pump your fist without even thinking about it. It was just too awesome to not pump your fist. If you didn’t, do so now, you’ll feel better. I promise.
This ump was a total arse-hat, define your strike-zone. I don’t care if it is bad, but don’t change it around. The pitch he punched Hairston out on was a good six inches inside.
If the Mets come back and win (it is the top of the 9th as I write this), I’m gonna look like a total scrooge doing all this complaining.
Points of discussion:
- This is only for if they win: Is Spencer a scrooge? On a scale of Will Ferrell in Elf being the lowest, to the Grinch being the highest?
- Beato, is this young chap a potentially valuable piece?
- Why isn’t Johan in the All-Star game, and why is there no outrage over this?
Tomorrow night at 7:10 the Mets will take on the Cubs, with Johan Santana taking on Travis Wood.
40 comments
Mr North Jersey
7/5/2012-10:23pm at 10:23 pm (UTC -4)
“Babip Gods” lol
srt
7/5/2012-10:24pm at 10:24 pm (UTC -4)
hahaha – nice recap, Spencer. Love the levity.
This was a GREAT walk off win. Valdespin, Tejada, Murphy, Wright. Nice of them to get RA off the hook. He deserved something back.
Holy blood pressure…..if they ever get into post season, I’m gonna need paddles standing by.
Beato scares me. But he only had the one batter and Mayberry is having a crappy year so it worked out.
Don’t know why they passed over Johan. I think the only reason there is no outrage is b/c Dickey’s going.
Just a little chuckle for you guys:
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh278/Mets4life2009/mets.jpg
Stick
7/5/2012-10:45pm at 10:45 pm (UTC -4)
better like beato. I think he is the new set up man until Franky gets back.
and I loved the picture.
srt
7/5/2012-11:00pm at 11:00 pm (UTC -4)
Hurry back, FF. Then we can use Parnell in the 8th.
Stick
7/5/2012-11:22pm at 11:22 pm (UTC -4)
Or FF!
most likely, they will co-close.
gategem
7/6/2012-2:04am at 2:04 am (UTC -4)
Co-close? Is that even legal?
Hazmet
7/5/2012-10:25pm at 10:25 pm (UTC -4)
David Wright: MVPie
Gynormous win, especially with the Nats coming back moments later to clinch the sweep of the Gigantes.
Random: Really liked the simplicity of the Nats throwback uni.
On Discussion Points: No, Yes, Good let Johan rest over the ASB.
SaltyGary
7/5/2012-10:25pm at 10:25 pm (UTC -4)
GIRL IN BLUE!
GIRL IN BLUE!
GIRL IN BLUE!
Stick
7/5/2012-10:31pm at 10:31 pm (UTC -4)
I have to give a shout out to the girl in pink also. She can hold her own there.
GIRL IN PINK
GIRL IN PINK
GIRL IN PINK
Hazmet
7/5/2012-10:32pm at 10:32 pm (UTC -4)
Yes, she’s got a really nice set of t….eeth.
That’s what you were refering to right?
Mr North Jersey
7/5/2012-10:32pm at 10:32 pm (UTC -4)
Lady in Blue
is dancing with me
cheek to cheek
nobody here
just her and Mets fans
it’s the way it ought to be
Though I do not know
the person that you are
I’ll never forget
the way you looked on SNY.
Stick
7/5/2012-10:46pm at 10:46 pm (UTC -4)
it’s the internet. She will be outed before the end of the evening.
SaltyGary
7/5/2012-10:49pm at 10:49 pm (UTC -4)
You’re right Stick both should get full credit. I think they need to be the site’s mascot’s.
SaltyGary
7/5/2012-10:29pm at 10:29 pm (UTC -4)
No offense to Kong’s pristine post game articles, but this post game is the Mona Lisa. You are a scrooge man, holy crap.
kingman 26
7/5/2012-10:37pm at 10:37 pm (UTC -4)
What a great compliment–thanks man!
Stick
7/5/2012-10:38pm at 10:38 pm (UTC -4)
Spence, yo are not a scrooge. But man, you have to have faith guy, and never give up before the last out!
oh, and are you auditioning for Metsblog?
“The Mets offense certainly did its job however, getting to Cliff Lee to the tune of four runs over seven innings”
SpencerRealDirtyMets
7/5/2012-10:40pm at 10:40 pm (UTC -4)
I wouldn’t even intern for Metsblog, poor Meredith Perri…
I like to have them up as the last out is recorded so I have it all done but that score sentence that I forgot usually. This game didn’t afford me that luxury, I wouldn’t mind this happening often.
oleosmirf
7/5/2012-10:46pm at 10:46 pm (UTC -4)
she’s the best writer they have though, well except for Michael Baron…
Stick
7/5/2012-10:48pm at 10:48 pm (UTC -4)
just wondering how Cliff Lee pitched again tonight. Would have thought they would have rested him today…
SpencerRealDirtyMets
7/5/2012-11:09pm at 11:09 pm (UTC -4)
fixed
SaltyGary
7/5/2012-10:41pm at 10:41 pm (UTC -4)
I think he hurt his chances with this line:
SAFE AT FIRST?? YEES!!! AAAAAHHH!!!!! YOU DON’T GET COVERAGE LIKE THIS AT METSBLOG DO YOU!!!!!!!!!!111!!!111!!1!
Hazmet
7/5/2012-10:43pm at 10:43 pm (UTC -4)
If he’d only had mentioned “sponsored by Verizon” he could have been a shoe in.
SpencerRealDirtyMets
7/5/2012-10:43pm at 10:43 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah it was more of a campaign for anyone who wants real opinion and coverage, that they should come to RDM
Connor O'Brien
7/6/2012-7:36pm at 7:36 pm (UTC -4)
All Spencer has to do is send that and a sentence on Ruben Tejada sliding into first and he’ll be a shoe-in for a writer’s position…
wanny
7/5/2012-10:54pm at 10:54 pm (UTC -4)
lost in all the glee was the terrible decision to have thole bunt with a strikeout machine on deck.
kudos to valdespin and tejada and murphy for fantastic at bats that covered this poor decision.
srt
7/5/2012-11:13pm at 11:13 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, I think most Met fans were saying something like WTF? when Thole was bunting. Because what Met fan didn’t know Kirk was gonna K?
Good thing it didn’t come back to bite them.
Stick
7/5/2012-11:29pm at 11:29 pm (UTC -4)
might be time to send kirk down to get his act together?
though I guess they need someone that can play CF. and not sure Fred Lewis is the answer to that question.
wanny
7/5/2012-11:39pm at 11:39 pm (UTC -4)
kirk can work himself out with the bigs. he didn’t have a shot against hamels anyway and probably wouldn’t have played if torres was healthy.
the team obviously needs a RH bat in the OF and i’m afraid they will just pray that Jason Bay could be it.
i like omar quintanilla but he has no role right now and is wasting a roster spot. valdespin’s ability to stand in the OF makes him a bit more valuable on the bench. and tejada doesn’t need to sit regularly enough so that turner wouldnt be an adequate backup. i’d love to have another scott hairston on the roster. (hairston can play CF, by the way).
Stick
7/5/2012-11:50pm at 11:50 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t expect Bay to do anything but suck, but he is guaranteed to get 1 more shot at it before they probably are forced to cut bait.
wanny
7/5/2012-11:43pm at 11:43 pm (UTC -4)
also, kirk is needed since torres is such a bad hitter…especially from the left side.
peter bourjos would be a nice platoon for him. he’s not a great hitter (slightly better v. lefties than righties) but his defense would sure come in handy on this team.
oleosmirf
7/6/2012-12:14am at 12:14 am (UTC -4)
they can’t send him down with Torres out. They need someone to play CF.
Stick
7/5/2012-11:28pm at 11:28 pm (UTC -4)
agreed. strange move by terry. really screamed of reading off the bible, instead of thinking things through. Plenty of first guessing in the dugout too.
also questioned not using beato in the 9th, given how short the pen was. would have been ugly if it stayed tied, and went to extra innings.
wanny
7/5/2012-11:35pm at 11:35 pm (UTC -4)
will ohman is available for the mlb minimum. his numbers look awful overall but he is still .186 .250 .305 v. lefties this season. why not as a second lefty in the pen?
Stick
7/5/2012-11:48pm at 11:48 pm (UTC -4)
worth consideration, but it would be a huge bonus if they could get a lefty that can pitch to either side.
oleosmirf
7/6/2012-12:06am at 12:06 am (UTC -4)
my thoughts exactly…
Mr North Jersey
7/5/2012-11:36pm at 11:36 pm (UTC -4)
Mets Win. They take 2 out of 3 vs the Phillies and as this team has done all season long they continue to find ways to pick each other up.
R.A. Dickey for only the 3rd time this season didn’t have his usual stuff as he kept giving the Phils the lead all night. Finishing going 7 innings while allowing 5 runs. It again is only the 3rd time this year he has allowed 5 earned runs or more while giving up a season high 11 hits.
Once again props to Mr. Tejada who I have called Mr. for sometime now this season since I wanted to show him the respect I have for him and his maturity.
The SNY Guys called it when they said what great discipline Tejada has shown this year.
I really believed that Kirk was going to come through for us against Papelbon despite his strikeout issues but it was not to be.
Turning point of the game on WFAN was Wright’s game winner but I can’t help but wonder what may have happened had the Phils not sent Fontenot that inning. That being said props to the pen with an assist from Hairston on getting through without giving up another run.
Lastly HUGE Hat-tip to Mr. Wright who had a great game even before he hit the walkoff winner that for the 2nd time triggered MVP chants from the crowd.
I said it before that every time i see a Met get a whipped cream pie-in-the-face it means we are doing good so I hope they continue to happen.
On top of that after back2back rough starts by Wheeler he rebounded pitching a solid 7.1/IP, 6/H(all singles), 1/R, 1/ER, 0/BB, 6/SO throwing 66% of his pitches for strikes. The 1 run coming when the relief came in after wheeler left with 1st and 2nd 1 out and gave up back2back walks.
Good night. Now need to try and go 8 games above .500 for the 2nd time I believe this year.
LGM!
Stick
7/5/2012-11:47pm at 11:47 pm (UTC -4)
10 over at the ASG sounds just about perfect!
Mr North Jersey
7/6/2012-12:10am at 12:10 am (UTC -4)
This from Adam Rubin:
ESPN Stats & Info: Wright’s 8 games with walk-off RBI match franchise record. Shares distinction with Kevin McReynolds.
https://twitter.com/AdamRubinESPN/statuses/221088604540243969
Who knew McReynolds had the lead before tonight? Not I that is for sure.
Mr North Jersey
7/6/2012-3:08am at 3:08 am (UTC -4)
Nice read on Wright.
http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/46362/everything-going-wright-for-mets
srt
7/6/2012-7:14am at 7:14 am (UTC -4)
Nice…….so Wright is the only player to have a walk off hit against both Paps and ML and is responsible for 2 of 3 losses for Paps this year.
And to think……the are some Met fans who thought Wright was not worth the money coming into this season. Don’t want to think where this team would be without out him so far this season.