Mets pitching was dominant tonight, allowing only 1 run while striking out 15 Indians en route to a 3-1 win.
John Maine needed 97 pitches through 5 2-3 of an inning, allowing 5 hits and 1 run. Maine allowed a solo home run in the first inning, but settled down nicely, only walking one batter while striking out 7 while on the bump.
Great outing from Maine. Everyone is talking about Johan Santana and Pedro Martinez, a lot of people forget about 15-game winners like Maine and Oliver Perez. Obviously a better pitch count and more innings would be nicer, but with the bullpen actually being a strong point (shocking, I know) it's allowable.
Joe Smith came into the game with 2 on and 2 out, and struck out the batter end the inning. Scott Schoeneweis and Aaron Heilman each allowed two hits in their inning of work, but neither allowed a run to score. Schoeneweis struck out one in the 7th, and Heilman struck out three in the 8th inning.
Look! Smith pitched and didn't allow a run! Celebrate! It's nice to see him go out there, with inherited runners nonetheless, and not let any runs in. Solid outings by Schoeneweis and Heilman.
Billy Wagner closed out the game, earning the save, with a 1-2-3 inning. Wagner set the side down with three strikeouts.
Can we get that every time he pitches?
The third, fourth and fifth positions in the lineup really delivered for the Mets tonight. They went a combined 6-10, scoring 3 runs and driving in one. David Wright, Fernando Tatis, Carlos Beltran, Fernando Martinez and Damion Easley were in that group. Martinez and Easley each hit doubles, with FMart driving in one of the runs.
Those doubles were great. Easley hit his down the right field line, and looked pretty good rounding the bases. Martinez sliced his double into the gap between left and center, which plated Tatis.
Raul Casanova got another start behind the plate, and came through, going 2-3 with a 2-out RBI. Jose Reyes also picked up a hit for the Mets.
I'm glad the Mets finally have a decent backup catcher not named Alomar or Di Felice. We might be seeing Casanova or Robinson Cancel if the catching injuries continue.
