Mets Game 30: Win Over Pirates

Mets 8 Pirates 4

For the seventh consecutive game, the Mets were the victor.

Livan Hernandez had a rough start to the game, but eventually settled down to pitch six strong innings, allowing just two runs on four walks and seven hits. However, Pirates starter Ian Snell was unusually efficient, and held the Mets scoreless in five of the six innings he threw. In that one inning (the fourth), though, the Mets plated three, and tacked on five more against the Bucs bullpen. As with the first two games of this series, the Pirates were simply overwhelmed, and Mets completed the sweep.

Notes

Livan Hernandez has now pitched into the sixth inning four times in six starts. You can’t ask much more from a #5 starter.

Jose Reyes has 7 hits in his last 13 at-bats, and is finally heating up after a lengthy slump that saw his average drop to a woeful .246. Just as important, his OBP is back over .350 and climbing.

Luis Castillo’s mini-slump also appears to be over, as he’s 4-for-9 in his last two games. His OPB, by the way, is .402. Add Castillo and Reyes to Beltran’s .467 OBP and it’s a near guarantee that the Mets have a baserunner in the initial inning.

J.J. Putz and Sean Green combined for 45 pitches in the final two frames, and Green threw more balls (13) than strikes (12).

Strangely enough — especially with Livan on the hill — there was not one double play, for either side, the entire game. At least, I didn’t see one (?).

From Kevin Burkhardt’s description of her playing catch with her son until he was 15 years old, it sounds like Danny Murphy’s mom means business.

Next Mets Game

The Mets host the Braves on Monday evening at 7:10 PM to start a three-game series. Johan Santana goes against Derek Lowe. I’m liking the Mets chances to extend their winning streak to eight. The TV broadcast will be carried by ESPN.