The revenge of Jeff Keppinger.
The Reds pounded out 14 hits in the nightcap, after knocking 15 earlier in the day, and beat up on the Mets bullpen, scoring five in the late innings to put them up 7-1 and earn a split of the doubleheader for the day.
The best part of the game, at least for the Mets, was the way Mike Pelfrey pitched. Pelfrey allowed only two earned runs on eight hits through six innings. Pelfrey was in control, only walking one while striking out three.
Very, very good start from him. Allowed a bunch of hits, but really limited the damage all game. He really didn't deserve the loss here. Good start from him, which is good to see from him as he's been struggling a bit of late. Very happy with this.
Single runs bookended Pelfrey's start, as a Ken Griffey Jr. single in the first drove in one run and a Scott Hatteberg double in the sixth chased home the other run for the Reds charged to him.
Dusty Baker took a chance starting Hatteberg, who had been batting well under the Mendoza line coming into the day, and he answered by driving in three. Figures it's against the Mets.
The Mets were shut down by Bronson Arroyo who had his most dominant start of the year. Arroyo only allowed four hits through eight innings, and didn't allow a baserunner from the fifth inning on. New York scratched out their only run in the third inning when David Wright singled to drive in Jose Reyes.
Arroyo looked like classic Arroyo. What a dominating start from him, especially since he's struggled all year. Great performance from him, and again, figures it's against the Mets.
The Reds got to both Duaner Sanchez and Billy Wagner for multiple runs to put the game out of reach. In the 8th, back-to-back singles from Hatteberg and Paul Bako each drove in a run each. Wagner allowed three runs, all unearned, after two straight errors from the Mets. Wright had a fielding error and Carlos Delgado committed a throwing error.
Ex-Met Keppinger went 5-5 on the day, picking up his fifth hit with an RBI single in the 9th. Hatteberg picked up his third RBI with a sacrifice fly to left. Bako added another run with an RBI single to the right side.
I really hate to see key bullpen pitchers come in when the Mets aren't leading, and I really really hate to see them get roughed up. Why not burn a guy like Joe Smith, especially if he might get sent down very soon? I don't get that thinking.
Game Ball: Pelfrey
