The Mets left Atlanta yesterday with a sweep of the 2 game series, finishing their rain shortened road trip 3-1 overall. May has been a more forgiving month than April so far to say the least. Yesterday’s win was quite an adventure. The kind of adventure that in recent years, would have ended a little differently. Luckily Frankie Rodriguez has nerves of steel.
Carlos Delgado made the game a little less interesting, by knocking a 2 run single to center expanding the lead to 3 runs. Then he made the game a lot more interesting by dropping what would have been the final out on a routine pop-up that gave the Braves a second chance and allowing Larry Jones to come to bat with the tying run 90 feet away and the go ahead run on first. Anyone that’s followed the Mets through the last 10 years, fully expected Larry to come through with a game tying, if not a game winning hit in that situation. Larry after all, is a Met Killer. So much so that he named his son Shea, referring to his dominance at Shea Stadium. Larry lined out to right on a ball that looked like it was destined to find the gap off the bat and caused me to hold my breath until it made it to the glove of Ryan Church.
What are some good things we can take from this shortened series?
1. Livan Hernadez can still throw a great game. He can hit the strike zone, keeping his pitch count low. He doens’t strike many out, but he also doesn’t walk anyone. He will eat innings, giving your bullpen a rest when it needs it. And of course, he throws the Eephus pitch which is very entertaining.
2. Carlos Beltran is hitting like it’s the post season. Maybe missing the playoffs for the last two seasons has got his cycles off. Let’s hope he stays confused all season. He’s driving the ball to all fields with power. He’s leading the National League in hits with 38, batting average at .404, and on base percentage at .504. These are the types of numbers that Mets fans have been waiting for since he was signed in 2005.
3. Jose Reyes is Willie Mays Hayes, and I want to see him do push ups at home plate every time he pops the ball up. His batting average is dropping faster than sales at Dunder Mifflin before their buy out of the Michael Scott Paper Company. He’s shown a general malaise offensively that is effecting every at bat. He was asked to sacrifice bunt twice on this road trip and failed on both occaisons, looking more like he was trying to drag bunt for a hit. His on bace percentage is the lowest among the regular starters at .342. Is there a chance he gets moved out of the leadoff spot until he gets things going? A leadoff hitter gets more at bats per game than anyone else in your lineup on average so why give that spot to the guy on your team who gets on base the least?
Johan goes today against the Phillies as the Mets make another attempt to get to .500. Last time Santana was in this position, he threw a gem and has his win taken away by JJ Putz. Hopefully things go better tonight.
Let’s Go Mets!
