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May 12, 2012 Mets 2012 Games Joe Janish

Mets Game 33: Win Over Marlins

Mets 9 Marlins 3

What a difference a day makes.

Mets Game Notes

Nice win for the Mets. For the first time in a long time, the Mets were in control of a ballgame from the get-go, and never relented. Once they went up 3-1, I never had even an ounce of doubt that they’d come away victorious.

Part of that was due to Ricky Nolasco, who seemed like he was trying to lose the game from the first frame. Nolasco is one of those eternal enigmas – he has filthy stuff, but can’t seem to ever get any kind of consistency. He and his former teammate Chris Volstad were like two peas in a pod in that respect. I’m not really sure why Nolasco can’t get it together; maybe it’s a mental thing, akin to what we’ve seen from Mike Pelfrey.

On the opposite side of the spectrum was R.A. Dickey, whose knuckler was only so-so but found a way to fry the Fish via judicious use of his fastball.

How about David Wright? He’s been a man on fire since Opening Day, with no sign of cooling down. Wright doesn’t look like he’s on a hot streak; rather, he looks like he has a ton of confidence, a specific plan, and a fierce determination to execute.

In a similar vein, Mike Baxter just won’t stop coming through as a pinch-hitter. I don’t know how a pinch-hitter can go on a hot streak when he gets only one at-bat a day, so I’m thinking that Baxter might have mastered the role. Or, he’s so intent on staying in the big leagues that he’s decided there is no way he’s going to fail — like a dog who refuses to give up a bone.

Next Mets Game

The final game of the weekend series will be played at 1:10 p.m. Jonathon Niese goes to the hill against Carlos Zambrano.

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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.
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  1. David May 12, 2012 at 10:51 pm
    Baxter is 7 for 16 this year as a pinch hitter (.438). The Mets hold several pinch hit records, including Rusty Staub’s 8 consecutive PH’s in 1983 and Ed Kranepool’s staggering .486 average in 1974 (the highest PH avg. for 30+ ABs). The NL single season record is 28; it will be interesting to see if Baxter can challenge it.
  2. meticated May 12, 2012 at 11:10 pm
    this is what mskes baseball immensely intriguing….the unexpected merging with the sublimely impossible
    • HobieLandrith May 12, 2012 at 11:18 pm
      agreed!
  3. argonbunnies May 13, 2012 at 4:11 am
    Note on the previous game, but just getting to it now: did you see Baxter leg out a double without a play, on a ball in the gap that was cut off? I watched the replay and he is FLYING from first to second. There could be some pinch-running and defensive subbing in this man’s future.
    • Dan May 13, 2012 at 7:51 am
      Or PH for pitcher, and stay in to play RF for Duda, like this game.
    • DaveSchneck May 13, 2012 at 7:27 pm
      Argon,
      Good point. Baxter has risen his game. Interesting to see the odd man out when Bay gets healthy.
  4. Steve S. May 13, 2012 at 8:33 am
    Wright is locked in. He’s not swinging at sliders off the plate, nor diving after balls low and away. He’s going the other way with power, too. And his fielding is VERY much improved. Give the guy his six-year contract soon, Wilponzis!