Game 12: Win – Mets Sweep!
The New York Mets brought the broom to Citizen’s Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia and swept their series against the Phillies.
OK, so it was only a one-game series, but it’s still a sweep !
Once again, Tom Glavine did not have his best stuff, but used his veteran guile to gut through a win. It helped that the Phillies are incapable of hitting with runners on base; perhaps that was part of Glavine’s strategy? Knowing the Phillies’ abysmal statistics with runners in scoring position, Glavine might have intentionally allowed runners in an effort to thwart the middle of the Philly lineup. (Kidding, of course.)
An early clue that the Phillies were in deep doo-doo came in the first inning. After Shane Victorino blooped a broken-bat double, Chase Utley came up with Victorino on second and one out. On the first pitch, Utley attempted to bunt but held back. Hmm … is that what a team wants their #3 hitter doing in that spot? As it turned out, Utley walked and Ryan Howard bounced into a double play to end the inning.
Most of Glavine’s game went that way. He’d struggle with his control, walk a batter, then get out of it with help from the pitcher’s best friend. At the end of six innings, he’d thrown 103 pitches — only 59 for strikes — but allowed only one run on 6 hits and 5 walks.
The Mets bullpen again did an outstanding job the rest of the way, with Pedro Feliciano, Joe Smith, and Ambiorix Burgos each putting up a goose egg.
But the story of the day was Moises Alou, who mashed two homeruns and made an amazing, diving catch while the game was still tight. After seeing Alou in the first dozen games of the year, it should be clear to everyone that spring training means absolutely nothing.
Alou led an eight-run thrashing of Phillie pitching, beginning with their “ace” Freddy Garcia. During the offseason, I was one of the fans wondering why the Mets didn’t go after this guy, and how they allowed him to slip to Philadelphia. After seeing him make his 2007 debut, however, it’s completely understood — this is not the Garcia who made his name as a workhorse and power pitcher. He had some bicep issues in the spring, and was barely breaking 90 on what appeared to be a fast gun. Granted, it was his first start, and he was coming off an injury, but several scouts reported him throwing in the mid-80s in spring training, and this is a guy who threw in the mid-90s with ease. If he comes all the way back from his injury, that’s one thing, but if not, the Phillies are going to have a long season — as he was the key acquisition in their “successful” off-season.
In addition to Alou’s two dingers, Jose Valentin ripped two more doubles — giving him 5 on the year — Carlos Beltran had 2 hits and 2 RBI, Ramon Castro went 2-2 with 2 RBI. Castro entered the lineup after Paul LoDuca was nipped by a foul tip and had to leave the game. Jose Reyes went 2-4 with another walk and another 2 stolen bases, and may not actually be “hot” but simply “being”. His excellent numbers so far this year are the product of approach, not a streak, and I’d hate to be an NL pitcher if Reyes ever does go on a hot streak.
With his second-inning single, David Wright has hit in all 12 games this year, and extended his two-season hit streak to 24 games. Shawn Green blasted a double to deep left-center in the sixth, after Alou’s second homer, but was caught stealing home when Tom Glavine missed the squeeze sign. I wonder how many times in his career Green’s been caught stealing home? Though there was a miscommunication, it was pretty cool to see Willie Randolph trying a squeeze, especially since he hadn’t attempted one in two years. Anything to keep other teams on their toes.
LoDuca OK
A foul tip slammed into Paul LoDuca’s right index finger, but X-rays have shown no breakage. He might be cleared to play in tonight’s game, but it doesn’t make much sense with supersub Ramon Castro available. A sprain or bruise on that finger will seriously affect LoDuca’s ability to hold and throw the ball, regardless of how tough he is. Even if LoDuca were completely healthy, Randolph might have considered starting Castro anyway, as he is 4-11 — with two doubles and two HRs — against Dontrelle Willis.
Bullpen Notes
Amby Burgos closed out the game, and continues to impress in non-pressure situations. After allowing a single to Jimmy Rollins and a walk to Shane Victorino, he kept his cool and induced flyouts by Chase Utley and Ryan Howard. The one Howard tagged might have been held up by the wind, as it was another monster shot to centerfield. But, we’ll take it.
Burgos was right around the mid-90s with his fastball, showing good movement and life. If he can continue to spot the ball down and use his forkball only sparingly, he should be able to avoid the longball and be trustworthy for tighter situations. Time will tell.
Joe Smith gave up a leadoff, monster double to Ryan Howard that went to the deepest part of Citizen Bank Ballpark, but rebounded by whiffing Pat Burrell on a nasty slider and getting Wes Helms to ground out. He then walked Aaron Rowand after getting ahead, but Carlos Delgado came over from first to offer him some advice and Smith disposed of Carlos Ruiz on the next pitch — ironically, a grounder to first base. Delgado is visiting the mound more and more often, conjuring memories of Keith Hernandez back in the 1980s. It’s great to see him doing that, particularly with the youngsters taking the mound for the Mets these days. Just as Keith helped out a young Doc Gooden, Sid Fernandez, Ron Darling, and others, Delgado has the experience, respect, and presence to keep the inexperienced hurlers focused and confident. Another one of those intangibles that can’t be seen in the boxscore.
Next Game: Marlins
The Mets open a 3-game series in Florida against the Fish, with Maine vs. D-Train.
