Mets Game 38: Win Over Reds

Mets 9 Reds 4

The final score belies what this game was.

Mets Game Notes

For seven innings, this was a tight, fairly low-scoring ballgame. Then came the eighth, when the Mets exploded for five runs after chipping away for three straight innings.

R.A. Dickey‘s knuckler was dancing, and he hung around long enough to keep the Mets in the game but not long enough to earn a win. The sportswriters call it a “quality start.” Seeing the action on his knuckleball, it was a little surprising that the Reds scored four runs (three earned) off of him.

For once, the Mets won the battle of the bullpens. Heck, even Frank Francisco pitched a full inning without allowing an opponent to cross the plate. Though, he did allow two baserunners in his one inning of work.

If you weren’t sure how wildly the knuckleball was dancing, you could have taken a cue from Mike Nickeas, who had a very hard time getting his glove on the ball for much of the afternoon.

Mat Latos has incredibly filthy stuff but a two-cent head. If he ever gets it together, watch out. Of course, that’s a big “if.” To me, he compares to where Curt Schilling was at a similar age: plenty of talent, but his mental approach and lack of emotional control prevent him from realizing his potential. It took a while for Schilling to figure it out, so there is hope for Latos.

No sign of David Wright slowing down; he actually improved his average to .411 and walked twice. Similarly, Daniel Murphy remains hot and Lucas Duda is in a groove.

Wright is so good he makes Joey Votto look human.

Ronny Cedeno? Really?

Next Mets Game

The Mets travel to Toronto for a three-game series. Interleague already? Meh. Game one begins at 7:07 EST / 7:07 Canadian time. Jonathon Niese goes against Ricky Romero.