Mets Game 28: Win Over Phillies
Mets 2 Phillies 1
United States Special Forces, executing a CIA operation, shot Osama Bin Laden and took possession of his dead body. Though this doesn’t signify the end of terrorism nor the defeat of Al-Qaeda, it is a welcome turn of events and a symbol of victory for many of us.
In other news, the Mets and Phillies engaged in comparatively meaningless ballgame.
Mets Game Notes
Like Jon Niese on Saturday, Chris Young pitched well enough to win, allowing only one run on 2 hits and 3 walks, striking out 7 in 7 innings. But, the Mets offense couldn’t muster more than one run off Cliff Lee, so Young left the game without a decision.
Pedro Beato was spectacular, pitching three innings of scoreless relief, allowing 2 hits in a 43-pitch effort. Most impressive was that he was as cool as a cucumber and completely composed. Also, he was confident, having no fear throwing strikes to Ryan Howard when he had a base open. Big, big step for Beato.
Taylor Buchholz also pitched well, spinning the final two frames to earn the victory. In the process, he extended his bullpen season-high scoreless innings to 8.2 innings.
Ronny Paulino collected 5 hits in his Mets debut, including two against righthanders and one of those was the one that drove in the winning run of the game. Paulino also threw out Ben Francisco attempting to steal in the bottom of the tenth.
Bobby Valentine pointed out something I hadn’t noticed before: Ike Davis “steps in the bucket” a little more against lefties than he does vs. righties. I’ve always noted Davis’ habit of striding toward first base instead of directly toward the pitcher, but never realized he stepped further when a lefty is on the mound. That’s somewhat unusual, and would help explain any problems Ike may have hitting lefties.
The Mets are undefeated with Ronny Paulino in the lineup. Coincidence?
Next Mets Game
The Mets have a day off on Monday and then host the Giants in Flushing on Tuesday at 7:10 PM. R.A. Dickey goes to the mound against Ryan Vogelsong.
Beato looks great, ESPN announcers sounded surprised they were sending him back out for a third inning but I thought it was absolutely the right move.
What is with JBays noodle arm? Was this one of the knocks on him coming in… a strong throw there nails the runner and we save ourselves 5 innings of futility.
Oh, and RONNIE PAULINO!!!! Let me just say that this guy looks like he smells blood… Thole has NOT seized the starting job and I think that was signaled by management/coaching staff with the praise for Nick (in fairness, he was ok) in the media. Ronnie can take the starting job if he wants it and it looks to me like he wants it!
that they step in the bucket more against righty pitchers as opposed to lefties, and the same is true with guys who swing from Davis’ side. This is especially true if the pitcher has a
style which hides the ball or has a sharp hook. The bucket step might not be a big one, but it is often there.
As to the game, after something of a horrid game, the Mets did show something the next two. Ike Davis was held in check, but so were many Phillies hitters. Beato was as central as Young in winning that game and TB made up for his failure the day before with two winning innings.
In all seriousness. . . . there was a Met game last night?
They won against the Phils?
Wow.
Guess I’ll have to check it out on DVR.
2. What did I say about the mets needing a veteran catcher”……..he could have been 0-7 but his signal ing was huge. No bad on thole….he is young and young and catcher don’t usually go together. That said in a 2 catcher tandem thole can learn and grow.
3. What did I say about Beato?….I have gee, Beato, dickey, Niese and young in my 5-man rotation, cappy as reliever and pelfrey traded away.