Mets Game 94: Win Over Rockies

Mets 3 Rockies 0

If not for a Brad Hawpe single in the fourth, the Mets might have made history.

At the time, Hawpe’s flare off of sore-shouldered Pedro Martinez seemed innocent enough. But by the time David Wright snared a liner off the bat of Garrett Atkins in the top of the ninth to end the game, it was huge — because it was the only base hit the Rockies earned all day.

Once again, a no-hitter eluded the Mets record book, as it has for 46 years running. Some day, maybe, but not this one.

The no-hitter may have been lost, but the game was not. The Mets collected seven more hits than their rivals, and three runs, en route to their seventh eighth straight victory and third shutout in five games. Pedro lasted only four, striking out three and walking three in a 66-pitch outing cut short by shoulder tightness. He never threw faster than 88 MPH, and used mostly a combination of slow curves, slower curves, and change-ups to keep the Colorado hitters off balance. Carlos Muniz came on and pitched two perfect innings in earning his first Major League victory. Aaron Heilman, Scott Schoeneweis, and Billy Wagner also threw perfect innings (efficient, too — only 33 pitches total among them) to continue the bullpen’s outstanding string of late.

The three Mets runs came courtesy of a Jose Reyes solo homer, an RBI single by Fernando Tatis, and an RBI double by Brian Schneider.

Notes

Carlos Beltran also belted a double, his 23rd of the season, and proceeded to steal third (his 15th SB), before scoring on Tatis’ single.

The Mets’ bullpen has allowed two hits and no runs in the last five games, covering 18 1/3 innings.

In addition to the double, Schneider also walked three times. He’s 2-for-5 with 6 walks in his last three games.

Carlos Delgado went 1-for-2 with two walks, but his average is still a few points shy of .250. The walks he’s drawing lately, however, are very encouraging. He was walked intentionally once in this game — something that hadn’t been happening earlier this season.

Randy Johnson and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Phillies 10-4, and lead the now second-place Mets by only a half game. Not that any of us are scoreboard watching or anything …

Next Game

The Mets and Rockies play the final game of their series, and the last game before the All-Star break, at Shea on Sunday at 8:05 pm. Mike Pelfrey takes the mound against Mark Redman. Redman has a 7.07 ERA in eight starts this year. He’s given up 21 runs in his last 4 starts, covering 19 2/3 innings. But I’m still not expecting anything. The game is on ESPN.