Mets Game 85: Win Over Cubs

Mets 3 Cubs 1

Now, that’s more like it.

Mets Game Notes

Fairly leisurely, uneventful, lazy ballgame. I kind of half-hoped for the Cubs to take the lead, if only to see some excitement when Carlos Marmol took the mound.

Dillon Gee continues to grind out innings, going six or more for the 14th time in 18 starts. His eight strong innings required only 105 pitches as he struck out four, walked none, and allowed one run on seven hits.

Jordany Valdespin blasted another one over the wall. It will be interesting to see how he hits once pitchers realize they can’t give him belly-high pitches over the middle of the plate. The kid takes a big swing and can hit the ball a long way; but will we see him get an extended look as an everyday player to see if he can sustain it?

Maybe Valdespin and Scott Hairston can platoon in left field. If they keep up their homerun rates, the combination might hit about 95 homers.

Next Mets Game

The rubber match begins at 1:10 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. Jonathon Niese goes to the hill against Ryan Dempster, who hasn’t pitched since June 15th due to shoulder soreness.

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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.
  1. NormE July 7, 2012 at 10:27 pm
    A lasting impression from this game was Murphy being upended on an ill-advised attempt to turn a double play.
    He’s gonna get killed if he doesn’t learn when it’s proper to eat the ball.
    Valdespin does raise the interest level when he comes to bat.
    I thought Ike’s home run swing was on the ugly side, but he
    really let it fly.
    You have to watch Tejada on a regular basis to truly appreciate him.
    • Joe Janish July 8, 2012 at 12:11 am
      Agreed.
      Agreed.
      Agreed.
      Agreed.
      Agreed.

      Well, that settles it – we’re in agreement!

  2. gary s. July 8, 2012 at 8:54 am
    I was watching game when Davis homered on 0-2 pitch.I mentioned to my buddy i was watching game with that Davis is probably batting .50 this year with 2 strike counts just as the ball bounced off the upper deck facade.Thank you Jeff Samardjia!!
  3. gary s. July 8, 2012 at 8:57 am
    Murphy’s idiotic attempt to turn dp and almost going on DL for third time in 3 years is why the Mets should think very hard about trading him for bp help or a right handed bat.Especially with Valdy appearing ready for prime time
  4. Joe July 8, 2012 at 10:41 am
    Murphy in his first full year as a second baseman makes some bad plays along with some good ones and reasonable ones. News at 11! Duda in LF has repeatedly shown what the NL DH/1B looks like. Murphy has looked like a credible player most games, every once in awhile he does something stupid. Just like loads of NL players.

    If someone that can actually improve the club is available, he is surely not untouchable. But, like the Mets not stinking (like more than 1/2 of the people around here seemed to think was likely), Murphy had one okay at 2nd. That’s good enough for the short term option he is supposed to be at the moment.

  5. gary s. July 8, 2012 at 11:40 am
    I agree that he has done ok.If he was righthanded (spell Ike vs lefties) and could play some outfield he would be a terriffic supersub for this team and i would not talk of a trade.That attempted turn of a DP yesterday and almost injury speaks volumes of his lack of baseball iq.That said, i don’t expect him to get traded.