Mets 5 Orioles 1
Faced with the challenge of playing MLB’s worst team, the Mets rose to the occasion and whipped the Orioles in Baltimore.
After seeing the futile O’s flailing after floaters from the fingertips of R.A. Dickey, it will be a disappointment if the Mets do anything other than sweep this series.
Game Notes
R.A. Dickey’s Disney-scripted reality movie continues, as the knuckster cruised through seven frames, allowing only one run on seven hits and one walk, striking out eight. Aren’t knuckleballers supposed to walk more batters? Dickey was in trouble only once in the contest, and wiggled out of it. He left the game after 109 pitches, but easily could’ve gone longer. In fact, if I were manager, I’d consider sending him out to the hill again on Saturday and possibly also on Sunday.
By the way, is it possible to NOT root for R.A. Dickey?
Speaking of players impossible not to root for, Chris “The Animal” Carter provided the power from the DH spot, cracking a 3-run homer to put the Mets ahead 4-0 in the fourth and essentially put the game away — the Orioles pretty much rolled over and played dead after that blast. It was Carter’s first MLB homer, which seems a long time coming.
David Wright batted in the #3 location of the lineup and responded with a 3-for-4 day, including a double and 2 RBI. Why did it take so long to guarantee him a first-inning at-bat?
Jose Reyes continued his return to form with two hits and a double of his own, while adding in his 16th stolen base of the season. His average is slowly ascending, but I’d like to see him earn a few more free passes as well.
Pedro Feliciano came on to pitch the 8th and nearly gave up a 3-run homer to Matt Wieters that would’ve changed the course of the game considerably. However, the laser beam of a drive veered to the left of the foul pole, and Wieters struck out on the following pitch. That’s the good news. The bad news is that Feliciano continues to look worn out, and threw 21 pitches in his one inning of work. Does that mean he’ll be held out of action on Saturday? Not likely, as long as pedal-to-the-metal Manuel is calling the shots.
The Mets were 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position. Have to wonder what might’ve occurred if Gary Matthews Jr. or Fernando Tatis filled the DH role in this game. Yes, I know GMJ has been released, I’m just sayin’.
Next Mets Game
The Mets and Orioles do it again at 7:05 PM in Ripkentown. Hisanori Takahashi faces Brian Matusz.
The Orioles have a plethora of trade candidates this summer, including Ty Wiggington. Mets fans have always had a soft spot for David Wright’s predecessor, who has made a nice little career for himself as a utilityman.
You’ve watched one Orioles game but that doesn’t make you an expert, does it? So we’ve called on an Oriole expert and fellow SweetSpot Blogger Dave McNeill of 
