Mets Game 106: Win Over Giants

Mets 9 Giants 1

Who needs deadline deals when you take three of four from the best team in the NL West?

Mets Game Notes

Fired up by their GM’s motivating words a few days ago, the Mets have put themselves right back into the playoff race. Chris Young was awesome, dominating a San Francisco lineup that included several big leaguers.

Terry Collins’ patience and faith in Jason Bay finally paid off, as the slugger swatted a two-run single to give the Mets all the runs they needed in the first frame. The insurance runs were provided by Ronny Cedeno, who drove in five runs on three hits. With Bay back to being the premium run producer the Mets pay him to be, a red-hot Cedeno, and Bobby Parnell completely adjusted to the closer role, the Mets are in position to take a serious run at the division-leading Nats.

Next Mets Game

The Mets start their San Diego sweep on Friday night at 10:05 p.m. EST. R.A. Dickey faces Clayton Richard.

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. meticated August 2, 2012 at 10:14 pm
    take your tongue out if your cheek please…bay back?…cedeno redhot…parnell dominant…pass the spliff then!
  2. Gabriel Pena August 2, 2012 at 10:24 pm
    I think is obvious he’s been sarcastic. The Mets has no real shot
  3. DaveSchneck August 2, 2012 at 10:48 pm
    Joe,
    Mets have the powerhouse Padres and Marlins as lead ins to the rematch vs. the Braves next weekend in NYC, good spot for payback of post all star series. With FF back in the fold and Johan not far behind with his 88mph heat, things can get interesting as quickly as they got uninteresting. That’s why they play the games. Just saying.
    • Joe Janish August 2, 2012 at 11:16 pm
      Which is precisely why I’m really excited and have my hopes up! I can’t wait to reach the top of the El Toro …
  4. Crozier August 3, 2012 at 12:12 am
    There are times I wonder why you bother. Would enjoying a win be such a terrible thing? Have you noticed that Young (reminder: a number 5 starter), despite a relatively unsightly ERA, has pitched decent to exceptionally well in 7 of his 10 starts? That the team continues to generate wins from unexpected sources time and again? That despite being, at best, an average team, they often continue to generate excitement?

    Here’s hoping you return to your sharp and positive self in the near future. This daily upkeep has you sounding tired and pointlessly ornery. It does no one any favors, least of all yourself.

  5. gary s. August 3, 2012 at 12:12 am
    Not to mention Rob Johnson is due to get hot.
  6. gary s. August 3, 2012 at 12:15 am
    Forgot to mention that the Mets worst free agent signing ever (Jason K) got his hit today off maybe the worst FA signing (126 mill) ever in Barry Zito.Something very “Camelotish” there..
  7. jerseymet August 3, 2012 at 12:35 am
    Let’s not forget that our division rival Phils and Marlins have neutered themselfs. That should be good for a few extra wins.
    • Dan August 3, 2012 at 6:11 am
      But Phillie still has Lee and Halladay, so they are only semi neutered, at least for the moment.
  8. Dan B August 3, 2012 at 10:39 am
    Young is actually our no. 3 pitcher. Harvey would be no. 4. Jeremy Hefner is no. 5. All part of our master plan to save money by not having a back up plan for the starting pitchers. So much for taking it slow with our prospects and letting them learn in the minors. That said, i am surprised by how good Young has been. Who would be pitching if we didn’t have him?
    • Crozier August 3, 2012 at 12:38 pm
      Young is the de facto number 3 starter, but was clearly the number 5 guy when inserted into the rotation to replace Batista. Why Janish makes catty remarks every time he pitches confounds me. Take away his two atrocious outings, and you’re left with 9 starts — a beyond adequate sample size — with a 2.85 ERA and a WHIP of 1.0.

      Janish’s observations regarding Young are apparently made from a vantage point where the sun doesn’t shine.

      • NormE August 3, 2012 at 3:54 pm
        ouch!
  9. Corey Gorey August 3, 2012 at 12:52 pm
    Joe, you forgot to mention that RA’s also already got a no-hitter going tonight…y’know…to kick off the series sweep.
  10. SiddFinch August 3, 2012 at 2:31 pm
    Ya Gotta Believe! If anything, this is the most unpredictable Mets team in a while.
  11. JoMama August 3, 2012 at 4:24 pm
    In all your bloviating you forgot to add: the Mets bullpen woes are over!