Mets Game 104: Loss to Diamondbacks

Diamondbacks 5 Mets 2

In this game, a contrast of efficiencies. And we’re not talking about housing.

Jon Garland was efficient, a quartet of Mets pitchers was not.

Garland spun a 106-pitch complete game, while four Mets hurlers expended 180. Mike Pelfrey allowed 3 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks in 5 innings, striking out 6 (he threw one more pitch in five innings than Garland did in nine). That was enough to lose the ballgame, but the bullpen gave up two insurance runs to give the Diamondbacks some breathing room.

Notes

The Mets mounted one rally all game, and it was rather exciting — they ripped three consecutive extra-base hits to score two runs in the fifth frame. A homer by Jeff Francoeur, a triple by Cory Sullivan, and a double by Alex Cora. But that was it — they shot their load right there.

After five full innings, Mike Pelfrey had thrown 107 pitches, while Jon Garland tossed 56. Incredibly, Garland entered the fifth having thrown only 37 pitches through the first four — he expended 19 in the Mets’ two-run fifth.

The score could’ve been worse — the D’Backs left 13 runners on base.

The Mets were 24-16 with Luis Castillo batting in the #2 spot. But, hey, it’s probably a coincidence — lineups don’t mean anything.

In his first two at-bats since coming off the DL, Gary Sheffield stung vicious liners, but both were outs — one to 1B and one to LF.

Dan Murphy finally got caught pulling a Gil Hodges foot-off-the-bag trick, giving Augie Ojeda an infield hit and spoiling a nice diving play by Luis Castillo in the top of the ninth.

Next Mets Game

The final game of the series takes place at 7:10 PM on Monday night. Nelson Figueroa will pitch against Dan Haren.