Where to begin? The Mets took a welcomed trip out west, and beat up on an unbeaten pitcher. David Wright and Jose Reyes each had career days as the Mets bounced back from their trouncing by Pittsburgh, beating up on the best team in the NL, the Arizona Diamondbacks, by a tune of 7-2.
Reyes led off this game with a bang. The first pitch from Micah Owings, Reyes drilled to deep right, and with the Kentucky Derby coming up tomorrow, showed his speed, legging out a triple. Ryan Church, who had a great night but was overshadowed by #5 and #7, hit a sac fly to center, allowing Reyes to trot home with the first run of the game.
The Mets weren't done in the first, as Wright singled and moved to second on a wild pitch. Carlos Beltran walked, bringing up Moises Alou for the first time of the season. Alou smoked a ball to second, which should have been a double play, but Orlando Hudson let is scoot under his glove. Wright scored on the play, while Beltran moved to third. Carlos Delgado followed it up with a single to right field, driving in Beltran to make it 3-0.
John Maine ended up having another solid start, his fifth in a row allowing two runs or less, but struggled through most of the game, battling baserunners and a high pitch count. Maine pitched six innings of six hit baseball. He walked two and struck out six. Maine only allowed two earned runs, both coming in the second inning.
Good, not great. More later.
The Mets jumped right back on Owings in the second, as Reyes hit a one out double to center field, which was followed by a Church double, driving in Reyes.
If this lineup ever changes, I'm not going to be pleased. They showed a graphic on SNY for when Reyes bats first and Church bats second. When that happens, Reyes is batting .500 with Church batting .400. Willie Randolph, take note.
The second inning was rough for Maine, as he allowed a one out double to Justin Upton. With Miguel Montero batting, Maine threw his first wild pitch of the inning, allowing Upton to move to third. Montero then doubled in Upton, and with Owings batting, Maine threw his second wild pitch, allowing Montero to move to third. Maine then settled down nicely, allowing only two hits over the next four innings.
He didn't look overpowering, but he outperformed himself tonight. Limiting damage early and settling into a groove. His pitch count was high, needing 107 to get through his six innings. Just an excellent outing by Maine after not looking like he was going to last through the second.
In the fourth, Mr. Church continued to impress, taking Owings deep to right field for a solo home run.
So far, he is the MVP of the Mets. If anyone is still unhappy with the trade, you need to seek help. In a comment brought up on Mets Lounge, if it was just Lastings Milledge for Church, you still wouldn't have much of an argument.
The Mets weren't happy with the lead, so in the sixth, Reyes singled to left with one out. This left Reyes a home run shy of the cycle. A batter later, Wright took a pitch from Owings deep left, chasing the pitcher and leaving Wright a triple shy of the cycle.
The best left side of the field in baseball, at least in my opinion. The duo cross town might put up a bit of a fight, but I'd still take Reyes and Wright any day. Thoughts?
Joe Smith came on in the seventh and set the side down in order.
Leading off the top of the eighth, Reyes jacked a ball to deep center field, making a bid for his home run to complete the cycle. Arizona center fielder Chris Young made a jumping effort on the ball, but it hit the wall behind him and bounced back out into center. Reyes turned on the jets rounding first, looking to pick up his home run the hard way. Young recovered and made a beautiful throw to second, which was relayed home to beat Reyes by at least five steps.
I though he had it, and I think if it was anyone by Young in center, who needed an absolutely perfect throw to nail him, Reyes was going to get it. So close.
Smith came on to start the eighth, getting two ground outs before walking Stephen Drew and allowing a single to Justin Upton. Pedro Feliciano entered the game and got a ground out to third to end the inning.
Duaner Sanchez entered the game in the ninth with a five run lead, sandwiching strikeouts of Jeff Salazar and Eric Byrnes around a ground ball from Young.
"Dirty" is back in business.
Not only did Wright and Reyes sparkle at bat, each had a spectacular defensive play in the field. In the second, Hudson hit a short pop up into foul territory behind third base. Wright had a strange angle, but tracked the ball and made a beautiful, over the shoulder diving grab onto the warning track in foul ground.
Reyes made a diving stab on a ground ball smoked to his right side, which one hopped into his glove. He got to his feet, and flat-footed, made a strong throw to first to get the runner.
Awesome. Just awesome.
Game Ball: Reyes and Wright.
