With the final road trip in the books (as it were), the Mets 2013 road record finishes at 41-40. This is significantly better than their home record, which stands at 32-45 with 4 games to play.
One obvious reason for this disparity would be park factor. While the Mets decided to shrink the dimensions of Citi Field prior to the 2012 season, it’s still not a band box. In fact, you can fit almost the entire field at Citizen’s Bank Park inside the fences of Citi Field:
According to ESPN, the Phillies have completed a deal to acquire Astros outfielder Hunter Pence.
Reportedly, the main players sent to the Astros include Phillies prospects Jarred Cosart, Jonathan Singleton, Josh Zeid, and a player to be named later. Domonic Brown is apparently NOT part of the deal.
Pretty big pickup for the Phils, who for some time now have been desperate for a corner outfielder with pop.
Ace starter Johan Santana pitched another complete game, but hurled less than 9 frames, allowed 4 runs, and was saddled with a loss.
Does anyone care?
All 4 runs Santana gave up were earned, as he allowed 9 hits, one walk, and struck out 7. Not a bad appearance by any means, but not nearly good enough to win when your offense comes from Flushing. Johan was bit by the longball, as he allowed two homers by Hunter Pence — a three-run job in the first frame, and a solo shot in the 8th. Had Pence sat out, the Mets might’ve won this one.
Meanwhile, David Wright looks to be out of his slump, as he blasted his 18th homer of the season.
Jose Reyes and Josh Thole each went 2-for-4, and Santana stroked one of the Mets’ 8 hits.
Former Met Nelson Figueroa went five frames and allowed only one earned run on 4 hits and 3 walks, striking out 4. The Houston bullpen took over from there and former Yankee prospect Mark Melancon was the recipient of the victory after blowing a 3-2 lead by allowing Wright’s tater in the top of the 8th. Sometimes there isn’t any justice in this system of wins and losses.
The Mets are now one game under .500. To put that into perspective, the Wild Card-leading Phillies are 16 games over .500. There are 43 games left in the season. You do the math.
Game three begins at 8:05 PM on Wednesday night. R.A. Dickey faces Brett Myers.
