Mets Game 89: Loss to Giants

Giants 2 Mets 0

It was a tough loss for Johan Santana Mike Pelfrey R.A. Dickey and the Mets.

Dickey pitched his heart out, allowing one measly run on five hits in seven innings of work — proving beyond argument that it didn’t matter it was he and not Santana or Pelfrey pitching the first game after the All Star Gimmick, because the offense wasn’t going to score against Tim Lincecum no matter who was pitching for the Mets.

Game Notes

R.A. Dickey is making it very difficult to remain skeptical of his success. Is it possible that he simply has finally figured out how to tame the knuckler? Do knuckleballers get better with age, as a direct result of experience and rote? Or is he still riding that element of mystery vs. the National League? Keep on rolling, R.A.

Carlos Beltran made his first appearance of 2010 and managed a single in four at-bats. Naturally, Jose Reyes was out of the lineup with his lingering oblique injury. Beltran looked maybe a touch aggressive and rusty, but not remarkably different from what we expect. He faced Tim Lincecum after seeing A-ball pitching for a month, so I’m not concerned and not going to rush judgment. In the field he was only mildly tested … and no news is good news. Hopefully he can make his transition back to MLB without any major problems.

The Mets collected a total of six singles on the evening against Lincecum.

The other run scored was charged to Elmer Dessens. I have a funny feeling that his luck is quickly running out.

Chris Carter had a pinch-hit single in the eighth. However the Mets needed a pinch-hit homerun in that spot. Oh well .

Next Mets Game

The Mets and Giants play again on Friday night at 10:35 PM EST. Hey, why not just start the game at midnight? These game times drive me nuts … why can’t they start at 6 PM PST? The Left Coasters get out of work by 3 PM / 4 PM, don’t they?

Jonathon Niese is scheduled to face Barry Zito. Luckily most of us can sleep in on Saturday morning.

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. Nick July 16, 2010 at 9:29 am
    Can Beltran like not steal for the next three months? He makes me scared when he runs, scared kinda like when Reyes runs and you think he’s about to injure something, but worse cuz Beltran’s right leg looks twice the size of his left leg..
  2. Mike July 16, 2010 at 9:50 am
    Nick I agreed with Keith and Gary when they said Beltran is trying to prove to himself hat he can still do it. I don’t think he should change his game at all. This could get ugly for a few weeks though, we have to accept that and just look at it as necessary to get really good results later. I think Reyes being out right now is the biggest reason for the struggles offensively, but if Beltran were to find his stroke then I can see the rest of the team start hitting too.
  3. Bill July 16, 2010 at 11:26 am
    Glad to see Beltran back, but you guys are right, it could take him some time to readjust to major league pitching and the game.

    Last night was a tough night, so a predictable loss. I think that is, in part, why Jerry put Dickey out there against Lincecum. I like the Mets matchups the next 3 days. I would be disappointed if they didn’t split this series.

  4. Micalpalyn July 16, 2010 at 12:27 pm
    – it took reyes a good 2 weeks, then he took off.

    – Why not sit CB today and let pagan patrol CF. Let CB work his way up to everyday.

  5. shark attack July 16, 2010 at 12:29 pm
    We get out of work by 5-6 o’ clock and there’s that traffic thing we gotta get through before we can settle in for the game. Thus, the late start. Blame the Traffic!