Mets Game 88: Win Over Braves

Mets 3 Braves 0

The Mets avoided a sweep and went into the All-Star break on a high note by shutting out the Braves behind a stellar performance by Johan Santana.

Game Notes

Johan Santana pitched like an ace on this afternoon, throwing 7 shutout innings and allowing only 5 hits and 3 walks, striking out 5. He has won back to back starts for the first time all year, and extended his scoreless innings streak to 16.

Bobby Parnell threw a perfect eighth to bridge the gap to Francisco Rodriguez, who also was perfect. Parnell surprised the heart of the Braves’ order with nasty sliders; if he can continue to mix in quality sliders like that to keep batters from sitting on the heater, he could settle into a setup role. But before we get ahead of ourselves, it was one appearance and three outs — let’s hope he can continue to consistently command the breaking pitch going forward.

Angel Pagan went 3 for 5 with a triple and a run scored. Is there really a possibility that he is put into something other than an everyday job when Carlos Beltran returns? If so, such a decision defies logic.

Ike Davis was hands-down the star of the game (after Santana). He hit a majestic, tape-measure homer over the apple in dead center to lead off the sixth, and he made several sparkling plays in the field.

Josh Thole had ANOTHER pinch-hit RBI single. Can you say, “Gates Brown” ?

Chris Carter started the game in left field and went 2-for-3. It may very well be his last start as a Met, since there is little chance of him getting into the rotation once Beltran returns.

Prior to the game, Jerry Manuel was asked if Carter might see any time at first base going forward. According to Howie Rose, Manuel replied with a chuckle and answered, “that’s a little too close to the ball”. Nothing like showing confidence in your players. With managers like Manuel, who needs enemies? Stay classy, Jerry.

In related news, the NYPD was asked if Jerry Manuel would be managing their charity softball game against the NYFD. “That’s a little too close to the dugout,” the chief of police answered with a chuckle.

OK, I made that last one up.

Next Mets Game

The Mets have a few days off while MLB puts on a spectacle that no one takes seriously but somehow includes a contest that affects the World Series. They return to game play on July 15 in San Francisco. Game time is 10:15 PM EST. Rumor has it that R.A. Dickey will take the ball for the Mets.

Joe Janish began MetsToday in 2005 to provide the unique perspective of a high-level player and coach -- he earned NCAA D-1 All-American honors as a catcher and coached several players who went on to play pro ball. As a result his posts often include mechanical evaluations, scout-like analysis, and opinions that go beyond the numbers. Follow Joe's baseball tips on Twitter at @onbaseball and at the On Baseball Google Plus page.
  1. joe bourgeois July 11, 2010 at 10:24 pm
    Re: “that’s a little too close to the ball”: Good God.
    Manuel needs to learn that getting a laugh out of the media is considerably less important than trying to bring the best out of each player. I know everybody’s saying that the clubhouse is massively improved this year — but it’s hard to see why.
  2. gary s. July 11, 2010 at 10:40 pm
    I can’t wait till manuel is fired.do any of u fellow posters think wally backman would be quoted saying something like that to the press about one of his players?? i’m going to be sick if they extend this clown when the season is over.
  3. Micalpalyn July 12, 2010 at 7:59 am
    Josh Thole: hot = trade bait

    Angel Pagan: 3-5 with a triple and dazzles in the field…I watched the game and Pagan LOOKED like the old Carlos Beltran.

  4. Walnutz15 July 12, 2010 at 8:52 am
    Manuel’s a Division-1 schmuck.

    I haven’t been around for awhile – but in catching up over the weekend….I saw this (WRT: Evans’ promotion/Igarashi’s demotion) —

    From Lennon’s twitter:

    “Igarashi won’t return before end of West Coast trip. Needs to work on secondary pitches. Can’t do “development” in majors, sez Manuel. #mets”

    I got a good, hearty Jerry-Laugh at the “can’t do development in the Majors” line — wasn’t this his selling point on Mejia?

    Predictably, the Mets have come right back down to earth with a return to playing NL Ball. Anything that requires Manuel to think means the Mets will suffer as a result.

    Hope all is well with everyone.

  5. gary s. July 12, 2010 at 9:01 am
    welcome back..great line about manuel.he’s definitely managing in the wrong league.He did wear out his welcome with the white sox a few years back.Excellent pick up on igarashi/mejia also.I wished they had fired him a couple of months ago.We are overmatched against most managers in the national league.This is not a knock against d. wright but i think he put up huge numbers in inter league play because the a.l. didn’t know how to pitch to him.He is a dead low ball hitter.The American League had no clue.I also think he needed a few months to get over the beaning.His bat and glove are both All star quality right now.I hope he has a big second half’
  6. Mike July 12, 2010 at 9:53 am
    Speaking of big second halves, I fully expect Jason Bay to have a huge second half. I have no arbitrary data like “he’s always good in the second half” to back this up, I just believe that he is too good a player to not settle down and produce. With Beltran back I think he will produce big time. I just want to go on record as having said this. I just think that in September when Bay is putting up huge numbers and helping the Mets win we will not care that he in only around 20 HRs and 80 RBI.

    BTW with Beltran batting cleanup, what does the lineup look like? Pagan has been penciled in as the RF according to Jerry. So assuming he sticks to that we are talking about a Reyes/Pagan/Wright/Beltran/Bay/Davis/Barajas/Tejada lineup on Friday? Thoughts?

  7. Kev July 12, 2010 at 12:30 pm
    1. Reyes- SS
    2. Pagan- RF
    3. Wright- 3B
    4. Beltran- CF
    5. Bay- LF
    6. Davis- 1B
    7. Barajas-C
    8. Tejada- 2B
    9. Dickey- P
  8. Joe July 12, 2010 at 2:22 pm
    Kev – you might want to move Dickey up into the #7 slot ahead of Barajas and Tejada.
  9. Joe Janish July 12, 2010 at 8:59 pm
    ‘nutz – good call on the “development” line. That is interesting enough to build a post from!