Wow-the Mets are on a roll! They have now won five straight, the longest winning streak since May and are 3 games over .500. The Phillies won last night so the Mets stay at 1.5 out of first, and 3.5 out of the wild card.
Johan Santana finally got the win last night. The game was stopped for rain in the middle of the fifth inning and Santana did not come back out to start the top of the sixth. However, in his five innings he allowed just 3 hits, no earned runs, while walking 3 and striking out 5. It was a great outing by Santana and I think the Mets offense feels better about getting him some runs. According to the New York Post, after the game, Santana said, “In the past I was doing my job, I was working and trying to help as much as I can…[T]onight it was about the whole team.” Clearly Santana has been frustrated by the lack of run support that he has gotten during his losing streak. I can’t say I blame him, the Mets had averaged just two runs in his last six starts. Santana has pitched well, his era is under three, his hits/walks to innings pitched is good, and everyone says he is s second half pitcher so I think we have a lot to look forward to.
The Mets offense was quiet early on. They took a 3-0 lead on Ramon Castro’s three run homer in the bottom of the fourth. I like the way that Jerry Manual is playing his catchers. Not to take anything away from Brian Schneider, because I think he is an good catcher and I think Schneider does a good job with Mike Pelfrey behind the plate, but it is also good to get Castro’s bat in the line up. I know Willie Randolph last year said something to the affect that Castro could be an every day guy but didn’t really seem willing to do the work necessary for the role. For the most part, when Castro has been in the game he has made a contribution to the offense, last night he was 2-4 with three RBI. On the season, his average is .274 in 73 at bats, with three homeruns, 14 RBI.
Carlos Delgado continues to be hot at the plate, last night he was 3-4 with two doubles and a long single. His average is up to .249 and he has 50 RBI. In the month of July (I know 9 games) he is hitting .429 with two homeruns 5 RBI. The Mets could really use his bat, especially with the absence of Ryan Chruch and the inability to rely on the health of Moises Alou, getting Delgado going could be huge. In Tuesday’s game Argenis Reyes got the first hit of his MLB career, last night he entered the game as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the seventh and stayed in to play second base, he was 2-2 on the night with an RBI-this guy has good speed on the base path, I would like to see what he can do at second base.
The bullpen did a great job last night. Aaron Heilman entered the game in the 6th inning and pitched two strong innings of relief. Duaner Sanchez pitched the eighth inning and Joe Smith closed it out working a scoreless ninth. I was so glad that the Mets scored two in the bottom of the 8th, I really wasn’t up for watching another Billy Wagner last night.
The Mets are playing good right now, they are hitting and getting good pitching. They are also doing something that they have failed to do up to now, and that is beating the teams they are supposed to beat. They took three of four from the Phillies, they have taken the first two in the series against the Giants, and if they get a good outing from John Maine today and the bats stay hot, they may just get a the sweep here. We all saw their terrible play against the Mariners (sub .500 team) when they were here as well as watching them get their butts handed to them by the Padres (another sub .500 team). It would be great for the Amazin’s to close this series out with with a win and then have a good series against the Rockies, sending them into the all star break on a high note.
Even a few weeks ago if you would have told me the Mets were sitting right where they are I would not have believed you. Two weeks ago, I watched the Mets at to see what they would do to make me made for another night in a row. I must admit, the Mets are playing better, looking better as a team. They are getting some confidence back and it is showing on the field. I don’t know what it is that has changed, but I like it, and for the first time in a long time, I am excited about the Mets again!
Thrusday’s game is set for 1:10 start, John Maine will be on the mound for the Mets and the Giants will have an unimpressive Barry Zito going for them. LETS GO METS!
23 Responses to “Santana Gets the Win as Mets Beat Giants 5-0”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
July 10th, 2008 at 9:17 am
I think you have to be excited right now. With Pelfrey and Perez pitching well it gives the Mets five quality starters. I know Pedro hasn’t looked great but I think he’ll come around. He has too much pitching smarts not to figure it out.
The only negative right now is the Church situation and that Alou got hurt again. Another MRI. Think he glows in the dark yet? Mets will have to make a move for an outfielder. Paging Mr. Nady, Xavier Nady , you have a telephone call.
July 10th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Word has it the Rockies are looking to move Matt
Holiday. He would look good batting 4th or 5th for the Mets.
July 10th, 2008 at 9:36 am
TFPIII I have heard the same thing, I think that Holiday would be a perfect addition to the Mets line up, his stats are good with his .343 average and 51 RBI. His stats aren’t overly inflated by playing in Denver, as his average in away games is .313. The big question is what are you willing to give up for him? The Rockies are 6.5 back in a very weak division where no one is over .500-it would just take a nice little run by the Rockies to be in contention.
July 10th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Large, I was thinking the same thing. I would like to see some good stuff out of Maine this afternoon, but all in all I think you really feel that the Mets do have a good rotation, and that they are finally pitching up to expectations, or at least have done so in the past 10 game or there about. The Church situation is a bad gig for the Mets there is no doubt about that. The Mets are desperate for an outfielder, Xavier Nady is having a great year in Pittsburgh and has shown he can play in New York. He isn’t only an outfielder, but he can play some first base all well. The same nagging question keeps coming back, who are the Mets willing to give up in order to get an outfielder. I know who I’d like to see go-but I dont’ think we can get anyone to trade their treasures for Mets trash (as in a certain second baseman who is currently on the DL).
July 10th, 2008 at 9:44 am
I think the Rockies would be looking for a lot for Holliday and as bernalda says their division is weak and nobody is out of it.
July 10th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Why give up any of our young players when we can just bring in the greatest HOME RUN HITTER of all times…Mr Bonds you have a call.
July 10th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Bonds is one player I do not care to see in a Mets uniform. No Thanks!
July 10th, 2008 at 10:54 am
To bad we can’t work an NBA style 10 day contract out to see how it works
July 10th, 2008 at 10:58 am
I don’t want him to be a Met for even one hour forget about 10 days!
July 10th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Does Barry get to bring his dealer with him on a 10 day trial?
July 10th, 2008 at 11:19 am
I think he used the same dealer as Mota so that should not be a problem.
July 10th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Ah…keepin’ it in the family, eh?
July 10th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
All kidding aside I think they will be fine. Alou is due back this weekend and as well as Tatis has been playing that gives us four respectable outfielders until Church returns. That is if he returns. Also if Delgado continues this pace we are no longer in dire need of the added punch but can Delgado keep it up that is the unknown.
July 10th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
I agree, if Delgado can keep it up, it does alleviate the issue of needing to get a power hitting outfielder. The problem is we don’t know what the situation is regarding Church and whether or not he’ll return this season. Also, I’m not so sure you can count on Tatis to play the outfield day after day. And while Alou should make it back after the all star game, but that is not a guarantee that he will be there in September and I do think we have to think long term because while the Mets have made great strides both in their play and in the standings, the second half is going to be really exciting and it seems as if the Mets, Marlins and Phillies will be duking this out to the end.
Also, Wayne Haggen is AWFUL! I have the radio broadcast on at work-and I can hardly stand it!
July 10th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I do agree with that . He is absolutely unlistenable..If that is a word
July 10th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
“Unlistenable” is the word when you are talking about Haggen. The guy I know who works for the Rockies said Haggen lost his job in Denver after he used the words “steroids” and “Todd Helton” in the same sentence.
July 10th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Alou is hurt again, keep up with the news Larry31
July 10th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Yeah, I think you have to realize that you aren’t going to get anything out of Alou, at least you can’t count on him to be a savior. That puts the Mets in a bad postion because other teams know how desperate the Mets are for an outfielder. I know they want to treat thier prospects with kid gloves, but is it time to possibly see Fernando Martinez? As happy as I was for Nick Evans when he got his hits against Colorado, I just don’t see him being the answer. Chavez will be fine defensively, but can you count on his bat? As I mentioned before, Tatis has had some big hits for the Mets, but he can’t continue to play outfield day after day, his defense will kill the Mets at some point. Having all of these bench players filling in for injured starters, is doing a number on the Mets bench-there are no go to guys there. And who knows whats up with Marlon Anderson
July 10th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
I agree it’s time to see what Fernando has. Put him in and let him grow with the big boys.
July 10th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Hey who invite Thurston Howell into the conversation. Any guy pompous enough to call himself the third cannot possible know anything about baseball!!!!
July 10th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Worry about coaching your team and let us pros coach the Mets.
July 10th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
1 HOUR LEFT VOTE FOR DAVID WRIGHT FOR THE ALL STAR GAME.
July 10th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
I voted for him like 25 times today