The Game

The Mets first game back from the All Star break proved to be a monumental one, as they downed the Cincinnati Reds 10-8 after being behind throughout much of the game. With the victory, the Mets have an ongoing ten game winning streak, and share first place with the Philadelphia Phillies.

I would not have been able to foretell the high amount of scoring in this game, because the Mets opponent on the mound was Johnny Cueto. Cueto’s ERA at home is a full run lower than on the road, and he looked dominant early on, K’ing the first five batters he faced. Cueto’s good fortunes would last until the 4th inning, when Carlos Delgado would turn around a mistake into the Cincinnati night for a two run home run (Carlos Beltran was on base at the time of the home run). Against a supremely talented young pitcher, the Mets had a two run cushion heading into the bottom of the 4th inning.

Unfortunately, staff ace Johan Santana didn’t pitch up to his billing in last night’s game. Johan had a disastrous fourth, allowing five runs on home runs to Adam Dunn and Edwin Encarnacion, as well as extra base hits to Jay Bruce and Jeff Keppinger. Santana’s final line was atrocious; he’d only manage four innings, surrendering six hits and five runs (All of which earned). Remarkably, New York’s offense would find a way to bail Johan out of his worst outing as a Met.

The Mets pulled within one run in their very next turn at-bat, when David Wright delivered a clutch two run single off of the struggling Cueto. After the Reds went quietly in the bottom of the 5th, The Mets proved that they had plenty of fight left in them. With Carlos Delgado on base with a sharp single, Fernando Tatis took Cueto yard to right-center field for his 5th home run of the season, putting the Mets ahead. Tatis continues to produce in big spots for this ball club, he had three RBI’s on the game.

This one run lead wouldn’t last. Aaron Heilman was sent in to pitch in the 7th, and had quite a rocky outing. After two quick outs, Heilman gave up a double to Edwin Encarnacion, an intentional pass to Joey Votto, and a non-intentional pass to David Ross. Scott Schoeneweis would come on for Heilman, and promptly allow a bases clearing double to Javier Valentin. The Mets were now down by two runs, with time running thin to mount a comeback.

After a squandered opportunity in the top of the eighth inning, in which two strikeouts and a ground out were recorded with a runner in scoring position, the Mets had to fight an uphill battle against Francisco Cordero. The Ewok faced closer had a 2.30 ERA entering last night, but that was all about to change. Cordero got Jose Reyes to strike out swinging to start out the frame, but then pinch-hitter Argenis Reyes singled to breath some life into the Mets offense. David Wright took advantage of this opportunity by hitting a two run home run to right field, knotting the game up. The Mets continued their rally after the home run. Carlos Beltran hit a single into right field, and Damion Easley perfectly executed a hit and run, slashing a base hit into right field. This set the stage for Carlos Delgado, who looped a single into left field to give the Mets the lead. After a frozen rope Fernando Tatis double, there was no losing this game for the Mets.

Billy Wagner came on to shut the door in the 9th (Which is now almost assumed to have been delivered in a sarcastic tone). Wagner’s first pitch resulted in an Edwin Encarnacion pop-out, taking some pressure off the closer. One Joey Votto ground out and David Ross failed bunt attempt later, and the Mets had their 52nd victory of the season in the bag.

So many positives from this win. Fernando Tatis continues to be a God-send to this team, hitting for power in big spots. I still think that the Mets could use another corner OF if Ryan Church won’t be able to play for a prolonged period of time, but when he returns a platoon of Endy Chavez and Tatis may be effective. Also, the fight this team is showing when backed up against the wall is similar to that of the 2006 season. This team may be coming together under Jerry Manuel; this team looking in command all throughout the game is a new sight for this season. Also, with the way Damion Easley’s been playing (Another two hits last night), who needs Luis Castillo? Not only would I slow down Castillo’s rehab assignment if I were in Mets management, but I would make his road to recovery increasingly difficult. He should be forced to endure obstacle courses with alligators, and other such tasks.

Tonight John Maine will look to rebound from his bad start against the Giants by shutting down Bronson Arroyo and the Cincinnati Reds.

The Haiku

Santana roughed up
But home runs bail out pitching
Hello there, first place!

The Boxscore

The Win Probability Added Graph

The Credits

Recap by Milo Taibi
Haiku by Howard Megdal