Mets Game 71: Win Over Angels

Mets 6 Angels 1

A surprising outburst by the Met offensive coupled with solid starting pitching allowed the Flushings to even up the series.

Mets Game Notes

Mike Pelfrey put together his third straight strong start — the first complete game by a Mets pitcher this year — and his third straight start without issuing a base on balls. I’m still concerned about his mechanics, and his body language does not evoke the confidence it did during the first half of 2010, but I’ll take it. What I did like seeing was Big Pelf using the curveball. It’s been five years since the Mets took the curve away from him, but it appears as though he still has a chance to re-introduce it to his repertoire and use it consistently.

Meanwhile, what was wrong with Dan Haren? Is he injured, jet-lagged, or did he simply have a bad day? Or are the Mets hitters that good? Haren had a 0.97 WHIP and 2.54 ERA coming into the game, and was trounced for 6 runs on 8 hits and a walk in 4 innings. He looked physically worn out and exhausted. I wonder if he was enjoying the Manhattan night life on Friday evening / Saturday morning.

Jason Bay continues to crawl out of his slump. He poked two singles, drove in a run, scored a run, and stole a base. Yes, he is being paid to hit homeruns, but considering how lost he looked a month ago, I’m pleased to see him making solid contact and swinging with some confidence. Baby steps.

Actually, I noticed Bay correct himself in an at-bat. He has often been moving his hands forward as he strides, which is a no-no; the hands should go back and stay back as the foot strides forward. His hands went forward on one pitch, then the next pitch he kept them back and stroked a single. To me that is a good sign.

Angels rookie Mark Trumbo hit an opposite-field homer just to the right of the 410 mark in centerfield and well over the fence. It didn’t even look like he got all of it — he kind of reached out and sliced a pitch off the outside corner and it just went flying. Maybe the ball was picked up by a jet stream, or maybe he’s that strong. I haven’t seen that kind of strength to the opposite field by a RH hitter since Mike Piazza.

Speaking of monstrous blasts, Carlos Beltran reached Shea Bridge. Prodigious.

Trevor Bell threw an inning of relief for the Angels. Bell’s grandfather was Bozo the Clown. If you know Bozo, then you’re at least as old as me.

Next Mets Game

The rubber match begins at 1:10 PM at Citi Field on Sunday afternoon. Jon Niese goes to the hill against Tyler Chatwood.