The Mets salvaged the weekend series, winning 3-2 in the rubber match against Florida, and keeping pace with the Phillies. Much Like Jerry Manuel, I’m throwing in the towel on Saturday’s game and will not discuss it at all other than saying Tim Redding should not get another start on this team unless he shaves his goatee. He looks ridiculous.
Today’s win was a very good win, with quality pitching and timely hitting coming together to give the Mets a 3-0 lead going into the 8th inning, a situation that the Mets will win on most occasions. Today’s game got a little more interesting because JJ Putz forgot how to throw strikes again, or wasn’t pumped up enough to do so, giving up a walk and 2 hits en route to 2 earned runs in a third of an inning. Maybe someone should get JJ an iPod with the Rocky Soundtrack on it. Maybe he could put it on around the top half of the 7th to get the adrenaline building that he’s claimed he has a hard time finding coming out in the 8th. Maybe he’s just hinting that he wants to be traded to a team that will use him as a closer. Is that such a bad idea?
I’m sure by now anyone reading this knows that Angel Pagan, who was doing a great job playing all the outfield positions and hitting lead off, left the game with what’s being called a groin discomfort. That’s bad news if Carlos Beltran isn’t ready to go soon, although I think Jeremy Reed will do a good job filling in where necessary. Fernando Tatis can also play outfield so that’s not an issue for this team. If Pagan’s injury becomes serious enough for some time on the DL, perhaps Emil Brown will make an appearance on the 25 man roster.
David Wright is having a rough time at the plate again. He got his one hit today, a single with two out and no one on, but failed to have any productive at bats with men on base all day. Pagan drove in the first run, but it was the bottom half of the order, Fernando Martinez and Omir Santos, that drove in the runs that would be the difference on back to back doubles in the 7th inning. Martinez showed all the signs of his five-toolness today, making a strong throw from right field to third base, keeping a runner from advancing in addition to showing some plate discipline and the ability to hit the ball to the opposite field. “Omir Being Omir” is the new fan favorite on this team. He gets the stadium buzzing every time he gets up and his clutch hitting and great attitude are part of the reason the Mets have been able to survive all the injuries, and flu viruses, taking toll on the roster.
Mets head to Pittsburgh for 4 to start next week. I love watching games when the Mets are in Pittsburgh. PNC Park looks like a great place to watch a game, and it’s a stadium I plan on visiting soon.
