Mets Game 72: Loss to Tigers
Tigers 6 Mets 5
The bright side: the Mets won the series.
Also on the bright side: the Mets kept fighting through the very end of the game, despite falling behind early.
These are NOT the 2008 nor 2009 Mets.
Game Notes
Hisanori Takahashi allowed 6 runs on 8 hits and 4 walks in 4 innings. He did strike out 4, though, so there was that. A few of the Tigers seemed to be looking for and sitting on the changeup — particularly Magglio Ordonez, who redirected one over the fence.
In a terrible dose of bad luck, the Mets demoted LOOGY / long reliever Raul Valdes prior to the game to make room for Josh Thole, who was needed as a backup with Rod Barajas suffering with a back problem. If Valdes were on the club, it’s possible he would have relieved Tak before the damage was done. At the same time, I’m not convinced that Valdes would’ve made a difference — for all we know, he would’ve tossed more gas on the fire. It’s not like Valdes reminds people of Sparky Lyle out of the ‘pen.
Jesus Feliciano went 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored while filling in for Angel Pagan, who is suffering from spasms in his rib cage. However, Feliciano took it easy in running from second to third on single by David Wright in the fourth, and he might’ve made it all the way home had he busted it. It’s the little things, folks …
David Wright had two hits and an RBI, which was his 20th run against the American League this year — breaking the club mark for interleague RBI in a single season (previously 19 by Mike Piazza in 1999). Wright’s 57 RBI are the most in the National League, and he also leads the NL with 23 RBI in June.
Chris Carter had an RBI single in the 7th after entering the game as part of a double switch when Takahashi was removed. Carter is now 5-for-10 with three extra-base hits and 12 RBI with RISP this year. Not too shabby, eh?
Carter drove in Ruben Tejada, who had another single and in turn extended his hitting streak to 8 games.
Next Mets Game
The Mets host the Minnesota Twins for a three-game series this weekend in Flushing. Game one begins at 7:10 PM. Mike Pelfrey faces Kevin Slowey.
At this point I think we know who Hisanori Takahashi is. He is a capable pitcher, but he will get shelled some starts, and dominate in others. Reminds me of Glavine when he was a Met, in that way, but clearlynot nearly as good.
As for Wright's torrid June… how do you like him now? Homeboy is an All-Star, possible RBI champion, MVP candidate, and a gold glove fielder. Oh and he will be a 25 HR/25 SB player this year, probably he and Hanley Ramirez are the only ones (feel like I am forgetting someone). Rumors of his demise have been greatly exaggerated.
BTW speaking of All-Stars, who are the Mets All-Stars? I think we all agree on Wright and Pelfrey. Would anyone else suggest Jose Reyes? I think I have to. The question is about Pagan and RA Dickey. If Dickey wins his next three starts and is 9-0 with his sub 3 ERA, how in the world is he not an All-Star? Big if there, I know. And Pagan is this team's first half MVP, so how can he not be considered amongst fans? Charlie Manuel, however, is a different story. He'll probably take an undeserving Shane Victorino instead.
As for the All Stars, I think Wright and Pelfrey deserve it. Pagan probably deserves a reserve role, but like you said, Uncle Chuck won't pick him. If Dickey pitches well he has an outside shot, but like you said, it's a big IFB
re: all-stars – the Mets should be assured of having 3 definite all-stars; Wright, Pelfrey, and KRod. Pagan isn't enough of a household name and isn't doing anything above and beyond anyone else in the league to get enough notice for consideration. Dickey's a tough case, and I admit it will be very tough for the NL to leave him off the roster IF he's 9-0 by the break. But there are so many NL pitchers having all-star caliber seasons (Jimenez, Halladay, Carpenter, Wainwright, Gallardo, Josh Johnson, Jaime Garcia, Tim Hudson, Pelfrey, Lincecum, Livan Hernandez, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez, Carlos Silva – and that's not counting relief pitchers) that it will be tough to justify including someone like Dickey who wasn't promoted until after the first month and a half of the season. There's just not going to be enough room at the inn for a guy who's had half the amount of starts as his competition. I think Johan and Reyes are the other players who may be considered but will probably fall short of making the team. Rod Barajas would have also been in that group but he's gone stone cold in June and has likely fallen behind his competition.