The Mets defeated the Reds by a score of 8-4 (Box Score), salvaging the final game of the 3-game series in Cincinnati.
Here’s a summary of the reactions by Mets fans who use Twitter after every start by Matt Harvey so far:
Start 1: He’s a future Hall of Famer!
Start 2: He was just lucky last time, just like the unnamed sources vaguely paraphrased by Andy Martino said.
Start 3: See, he’s better than Pelfrey.
Start 4: He’s a future Hall of Famer!
Well, Matt Harvey looked every bit the number one draft pick on this night against the division-leading Reds. He went 7.2 innings and gave up only 1 run while striking out 8. He gave up 4 hits and a walk in his 89-pitch outing. He also doubled in 2 runs. A win, a hit, and at least one RBI. I believe they call that the Doc Gooden Hat Trick.
Frank Francisco did his best to give the game away in the ninth, but Jon Rauch came in to foil his efforts by getting the last 2 outs. Rauch has been as reliable as they come lately. Francisco, not so much. Apparently Frank lost his fastball, location, and confidence along with all the weight he shed while on the DL.
Ike Davis had a nice night, homering in the fourth, then doubling in a run later in the game. Yet, whenever he came to bat, Cincinnati Reds announcer Jeff Brantley either mentioned his batting average or his total of 107 strikeouts.
An Aside
Jeff Brantley may be the worst announcer in baseball. Not only does he spew the above propaganda about the opposing team, but when you listen to him on the radio (as I was forced to – thanks SiriusXM), you have to make a lot of assumptions. His play-by-play is thoroughly non-descriptive, especially for a radio guy. During this series, there are times when he wouldn’t even mention when a run was scored. The listener just had to assume. Never a good quality in a radio play-by-play guy. Marty Brenneman was quite good, on the other hand.
OK, Back to Whatever the Rest of This is
So, the Mets pick up the ol’ moral victory in the final game of their series against the (this year) superior Reds. Matt Harvey starred, and Ike Davis earned a nomination for best supporting ballplayer.
Oh, and Jason Bay hit his Bi-Monthly Homer (TM), a genuine opposite field wall-scraper.
Next up: The Mets travel to Washington, D.C. for a 3 game series. Johan Santana gets things started vs. Ross Detwiler on Friday night. Santana looks to improve upon his last outing by staying in the game for 2 FULL innings this time.
19 comments
Stick
8/16/2012-11:58pm at 11:58 pm (UTC -4)
not to be picky, but fat franky got the first 2. Rauch only got the last out.
Ok, that was picky…
anyway, sounds like Bay got a bandbox cheapie? Too bad that Terry will only remember that (not the 2Ks) and we will see Bay every day for the next 2 weeks, since he is “going” or some such.
Sorry I missed watching while Harvey was in. Sounds like he was really on.
Franky? Something must still be wrong with him physically. Or he is really rusty still. Before he went on the DL, he had been very reliable for about 6-8 weeks, and was in a nice little groove.
Oh, and to warm my bitter little heart, the Phils lost another game where they lead late, and the pen blew it in spectacular (grand slam) fashion. Really, other than Paps, the Phils pen makes the Mets pen look spectacular. Man, 175mill just does not buy much these days, does it?
Hazmet
8/17/2012-8:10am at 8:10 am (UTC -4)
Bay’s ball was well hit to right and in many parks would have either been out or flirted with being out. It was about 10-15 rows deep. So yeah, in Citifield it would have been an out with the fence in that area ranging out to 375 but at GAB with 325 to RF it was gone. Not a wall scrapper though. And the positive: he hit something in the air. My how the mighty have fallen just taking that away as a positive.
If FF stayed in he would have blown the game, it was going that badly. The booth comment was, “if Frankie isn’t careful he’s going to reach Harvey’s pitch count”.
gategem
8/17/2012-12:21am at 12:21 am (UTC -4)
Harvey had a nasty slider and good movement and location on the fastball. While he doesn’t have the physical gifts of a Seaver or Gooden he can still be a front of the rotation starter. Right now Harvey is the most talented pitcher on the Mets staff.
Hazmet
8/17/2012-8:20am at 8:20 am (UTC -4)
And more importantly, we have a gategem sighting! Alway’s good to put a face behind the astute and wise comments. You also could be a twin to the Systems Engineer on my program, must be in the water.
Yes, agree with the Harvey assessment. He’s definitely got front line stuff and by all accounts the work ethic to realize it. I think some fans holding back from annointing him to such expectations is they know Wheeler is coming in another year or so and he’ll slide into that slot.
Stickguy
8/17/2012-8:37am at 8:37 am (UTC -4)
If in 2 years they are both front of the rotation starters (think, SF), and Neise continues to reach his potential (heck, does not have to do much more than he is right now, just be a tad more consistent), they cold have a really strong rotation.
NJstuckinTX
8/17/2012-8:55am at 8:55 am (UTC -4)
Which is the recipe for success. It’s easier to sign a BJ Upton type than it is to sign a Niese type, so having a young (and talented) SP staff is a plan I endorse. Now, if they would only go out and sign a BJ Upton type…
Stickguy
8/17/2012-10:08am at 10:08 am (UTC -4)
by sheer coincidence, there just happens to be a “B.J. Upton type” on the market this winter. Looks just like him and everything!
Hazmet
8/17/2012-10:43am at 10:43 am (UTC -4)
But is the BJ Upton type in 2-3 years Brandon Nimmo?
NJstuckinTX
8/17/2012-11:43am at 11:43 am (UTC -4)
Could be, but having one now would be all the more satisfying, no?
gategem
8/17/2012-11:53pm at 11:53 pm (UTC -4)
I hate to disappoint you but the avatar is a photo of the late actor George Peppard in his character of Colonel John “Hannibal” Smith in the old TV series “The A-Team.” The reason I used his photo as an avatar relates to his character’s quote “I love it when a plan comes together.” Considering all the nonsense over whether the Mets have a plan or not the quote and photo just seemed appropriate for a Mets blog.
Mr North Jersey
8/17/2012-12:27am at 12:27 am (UTC -4)
Paul your summary of the reactions by Mets fans was dead on.
Harvey was just brilliant tonight. Nothing like watching a young prospect come up and just bringing it to get a fan all excited.
Also while Francisco is stinking up the joint since being called back Rauch has continued to pitch well and deserves some recognition.
Rauch last 28 games (June 8 – August 17)
0-2, 2 Saves, 7 Holds
20.2/IP, 8/H, 7/R, 3/ER, 4/BB, 16/SO 1.31/ERA, .113/BAA
12/Inherited Runners
0/Inherited Runners Scored
Stickguy
8/17/2012-8:38am at 8:38 am (UTC -4)
our new closer!
SaltyGary
8/17/2012-7:26am at 7:26 am (UTC -4)
Was able to catch the middle innings. The inning where he hit the first batter showed a lot of character. He was a little off but kept battling and got a couple K’s. This guy is no Pelf.
SaltyGary
8/17/2012-8:54am at 8:54 am (UTC -4)
And Jeff Brantley is horrible. I had to switch to the Reds feed for a half inning because my SNY feed had issues and it’s better to just put the mute button on. Baseball video games have better commentary.
srt
8/17/2012-9:54am at 9:54 am (UTC -4)
Really getting to like this Harvey fellow.
And have to agree with others….FF must still not be 100%. He’s been awful since he came back off the DL.
Bobby O on the post game commented with an oblique injury, you’re timing/mechanics are off. And it only has to be just a little to witness what we’ve been seeing. His velocity is still there so maybe Bobby is right.
I watched on SNY but for some of those listening to the Reds booth, they were commenting they’d never put up with a 1st baseman who hits less than .250 with only 20 HRs at this point. Yeah…they’ve been just a tad spoiled.
Hazmet
8/17/2012-10:49am at 10:49 am (UTC -4)
As crappy as Ike has been you put him in that stadium with a joke of 325 to RF he might have 35 HR’s right now in a bad year. They have a great 1B but Ike’s really in his 2nd year of ball and coming back from a major career threatening injury to boot. So while I hate his average and that he hasn’t adjusted very well to lefties as I’d like this year I’ve gotta cut him some slack. And that’s not even bringing up Desert Fever or whatever he hell it’s called. Wup, I just did.
NJstuckinTX
8/17/2012-12:08pm at 12:08 pm (UTC -4)
Any thoughts on the correlation between Harvey’s 2 good starts and Thole not being the catcher or either of those?
Trs86
8/17/2012-12:13pm at 12:13 pm (UTC -4)
No, MMO has it almost right this time. His change up is not developed yet and the Mets had him throwing too much in two of his starts.
Stickguy
8/17/2012-1:08pm at 1:08 pm (UTC -4)
well, it is development time here, so you have to use it to make it better.