The Mets held a 2-0 lead early, but the Phillies rallied back to beat the Mets and spoil their final Opening Day at Shea Stadium, by a score of 5-2. (For a batter by batter game recap, check here.)
Oliver Perez lasted 5 2-3 innings, needing 93 pitches. Perez allowed only three hits, walking three and striking out two. Perez had his slider working today, and used it to his advantage while in the game. Perez hit Chase Utley twice, once in the first and once in the fourth inning. He also balked in the sixth inning when he threw to Carlos Delgado who was not covering the bag.
He looked pretty good today, but got into a bit of trouble a few times. His pitch count was up there early, but still had all his pitches working for him today. Good stuff.
The bullpen was almost completely ineffective today, allowing all five runs to score. Joe Smith came into the game in relief of Perez, walking one to load the bases before getting a ground out to end the threat. Scott Schoeneweis only lasted 1-3 of an inning, allowing three runs, one of them earned. After allowing two hits to Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino, Schoeneweis pegged Utley for the third time in the game. This is where the game got a little nutty. With Ryan Howard at the plate, and the bases loaded, Schoeneweis got Howard to ground a ball to Delgado. Delgado turned to second to try and start the double play, but his throw plunked Utley in the back and scooted away, allowing two runs to score.
Utley ran to second correctly, bowing out in the basepath and obstructing Delgado's throw. Very smart on his part. I don't think they could have turned the double play either way, but only one run would have scored.
Jorge Sosa relieved Schoeneweis, getting Pat Burrell to pop out for the second out of the inning. Jayson Werth poked a single to right field, driving in Utley. Aaron Heilman had a disaster of an outing, allowing two runs on two hits and three walks. Heilman walked the leadoff batter in the eighth inning who moved to second on a sac bunt. Rollins singled under the glove of a diving Delgado, scoring Carlos Ruiz. Brian Schneider had two passed balls today, one in this inning, that allowed Rollins to move to second. An Utley double plated Rollins for the second run of the inning. Heilman induced a pop up from Geoff Jenkins, which put the infield fly rule into effect, and then a pop up to right from Werth to end the threat. Rollins left the game with what has been reported as a sprained ankle. Carlos Muniz, recently called up to replace Matt Wise, turned in a 1-2-3 inning in the ninth.
Three walks from Heilman is troubling. This whole outing from Heilman is troubling. Where is Duaner Sanchez?? Oh, injured. Of course. Not a good day for Schneider behind the plate either. Rollins was injured playing a cat and mouse game off of second with Heilman, as he turned his ankle getting back to the bag. He was healthy enough to come around and score, but left the game after that.
The Mets offense got off to a quick start, scoring in both the second and fourth inning, but was shut down from there on out as they managed seven hits, three for extra base hits.
Carlos Delgado had the biggest day for the Mets, crushing a solo home run in the second inning off the HIP sign near the base of the scoreboard. Delgado also picked up a single, poking one the other way in the fourth inning.
Good stuff from Delgado today. He's learning to put the ball the other way and it's working for him.
Church picked up the other RBI for the Mets today, when he dribbled a ground ball to Utley with the bases loaded in the fourth inning. Carlos Beltran came home to score on the play. Beltran picked up his seventh double of the season today, doubling down the third base line in the eighth inning. David Wright, whose biggest problem today was that Victorino was patrolling center field, also picked up a double, his coming in the fifth inning. Victorino tracked down many balls in the outfield today, even colliding with Werth while making a catch in the gap.
Church had two big chances to drive in runs for the Mets, and capitalized on one with the dribbler. He could have had a huge day for the Mets. Still, he's going to help this team a lot in the future. Beltran is absolutely going nuts with these doubles. Keep it up.
Game Ball: Perez and Delgado.
Injury: Luis Castillo left the game in the fifth inning, with what has been reported as a "sore right knee."
Hopefully he can bounce back, but he just hasn't looked right at the plate this season.
A very nice ceremony at Shea to open her up for the final season. Too bad it had to end like this.
