The Game

The Mets are finally starting to live up to expectations in 2008. They won another big game last night at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers, by a score of 8-4.

The theme of this game was the amount of two out hits. With two outs in the bottom of the third inning, David Wright jumped on a fastball from Dodgers starting pitcher Brad Penny, and sent it over the left field fence to put the Mets at a 2-0 advantage.

Penny has a difficult time whenever facing the Mets; prior to the game he was 5-12 lifetime with a 6.21 ERA against New York. Last night would be no exception, as he had a dreadful outing that Los Angeles was unable to recover from. In the 4th inning, Claudio Vargas hit a slow roller to the infield which he would be thrown out on. However, as SNY went to a commercial break, Vargas would be called safe on the basis of catcher’s interference. The next batter, Jose Reyes, singled to right field to put runners on first and second with two outs for Luis Castillo. Castillo, ever the opportunist, would slap a single into left field which Vargas would easily score on. However, Juan Pierre fielded the ball and threw into third base, which Reyes was attempting to advance to on the single. The throw would be wild, and with no Brad Penny backing up the base, Reyes advanced on the wild throw allowing two to score on the play. The score was now 4-0, with David Wright striding to the dish. Penny, still clearly rattled from the catcher’s interference call, served up a meatball to Wright who went opposite field for another two run home run. Penny would wind up going four innings total, allowing eight hits and six runs.

On the other end of the spectrum, Claudio Vargas got the call for the Mets and held down the fort in his outing. Vargas gave up home runs to Jeff Kent and Blake DeWitt in the fifth inning, but had a strong overall outing. He went five 2/3 innings, only allowing five hits and one walk. Since arriving with the Mets Vargas has been very serviceable, giving up next to no walks and going a good length in almost all of his starts. This outing may have purchased Mike Pelfrey’s ride back to New Orleans when Pedro Martinez returns from the disabled list.

Many positives from the game. For one, the Mets continue their winning ways and generally look to be having more fun on the field. Their getting production from their regulars now, not just the super-subs. Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado each had two hits on the night, and Delgado made a fantastic play in the field in the fourth inning, taking away an extra-base hit from Andre Ethier. The bullpen was great: Carlos Muniz, Scott Schoeneweis and Joe Smith combined to throw three 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball. The Mets are rolling, and hopefully they can put together a nice winning streak entering the month of June.

Only negative I can really find with last night’s victory is that Nick Evans didn’t start. If Nick Evans isn’t starting, he should be sent down to Double A Binghamton to be playing every day. He’s definitely over matched by big league pitching, and barring a fantastic night at the plate for him tomorrow, I think he’d be better served playing everyday at his level.

Tonight’s game should be a fun one. Clayton Kershaw will be making his second career start under the bright lights of Shea Stadium. John Maine will square off with him, in search of his first win in three starts. The game will start at 7:10.

The Haiku

Vargas: competent
Wright-two bombs; Met obits were
Perhaps premature?

The Boxscore

The Win Probability Added Graph

The Credits

Recap by Milo Taibi
Haiku by Howard Megdal