The New York Mets faced the San Francisco Giants tonight as they looked to get a series win to close out their first half of their season. The Mets won the first game and lost yesterday night. The team is really having success this season and this break will give the Mets a much needed mental break. The last couple of games the Mets defense has struggled to stay away from errors and poor execution of the double play. This break will be a good thing for this team and hopefully they can make a great run to the playoffs.
The Mets offense struggled for the second consecutive night as they were held scoreless for most of the game. They looked way off at the plate tonight and were swinging at terrible pitches. This team plays its best when the offense is scoring run after run. They can not go into a pitching duel because they will always lose. This team had countless opportunities and could never accomplish the big hit.
Mike Pelfrey started for the Mets and he really fought through this start. He put himself in countless jams and was lucky to get out with minor damage. The Giants could have had many more runs, but they couldn’t deliver on more clutch hits. Pelfrey went six innings allowing two runs on eight hits. He really struggled early on as he allowed two early runs which put more pressure on the Met offense to get some runs. The Mets have to be concerned with Pelfrey at this point in the season he hasn’t lived up to the ace status at all this season. Maybe they need to move him further back in the rotation and see what happens.
Matt Cain started for the Giants looking to close out an excellent first half. Cain got himself into jams and was able to get out of them. He went six innings allowing five hits and not allowing any runs. He really gave his team a nice start despite his high pitch count. The Mets forced Cain to throw 118 pitches over his six innings which is terrible high. But he gave his team a nice well pitched performance. The Giants have to be excited about what Cain brings to this team, his ability to hit the corners of the strike zone is very remarkable.
Jon Niese came in to make is his first career relief appearance. He served up a double and Lucas Duda made an error at first base. He left with runners on second and third. D.J. Carrasco came in trying to hold the Giants off, but he served up a first pitch single that scored a runner. He would then give up anther hit right after the first that plated another run. Carrasco went an inning allowing two hits and striking out one batter.
Tonight’s game closed the books on a very impressive half for the Mets. They went above and beyond the any expectations people had early this season. But this group of guys have adopted the idea of being “underdogs” and have really shown that they can compete in this league. The Mets lost many players to injuries, but they kept fighting and that has to count for something. My hope is that someway and somehow this team can make the playoffs and bring the energy back to Flushing.
Game Notes:
- Justin Turner went 4 of 5 with two doubles and two singles. He was unable to score despite getting on base so many times. But he did plate a run in the 9th inning.
- Daniel Murphy went 1 of 4 with a double.
- Lucas Duda went 1 of 3 with a triple.
- Nick Evans came in as a pinch hitter and delivered a solo homerun his first of the season.
- Brian Wilson came in a notched his 26th save of the season for the Giants.
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
No comments:
Post a Comment