It's almost funny. Almost.
Pitching Performance
Oliver Perez did not have his best stuff tonight. He could barely get some of his pitches over for strikes. He only lasted four 1-3 innings, needing 105 pitches to get there. He ended up allowing five runs on six hits and five walks. He struck out six.
He was handed a four run lead in the bottom of the third, thanks to some quick baserunning on his part, but handed it right back in the fifth.
Unbelievably frustrating to watch this game, on all counts. I don't think Perez will be back next year, and this could have been the last start as a Met.
Duaner Sanchez came into the game, and allowed a single to left, with one run scoring on a fielding error by Daniel Murphy. Joe Smith and Ricardo Rincon worked through the sixth inning, with Smith allowing a hit and walking one.
Brian Stokes pitched the seventh, and allowed a run on three hits.
Stokes looks so good one night, and very hittable the next. I can't get a good read on him.
Robert Parnell turned in a scoreless inning, walking only one. Luis Ayala ended up pitching two innings, allowing three runs in the tenth, including a two-run home run to Aramis Ramirez.
And Ayala will not be back next year. Awful.
Offensive Output
When you hit a grand slam, and lose, you know it wasn't pretty.
A big third inning for the Mets. After Perez grounded into a fielders choice, Jose Reyes and Murphy walked to load the bases. David Wright then drew a bases loaded walk to drive in one. Carlos Delgado came to the plate, and smashed a grand slam off the front of the bleachers in left field.
Great AB's from Murphy and Wright to set up the grand salami. Thought the Mets were going to roll from there. I should know better.
The Mets were held off the board until the 8th inning when Ramon Martinez (yes, you read that right) drew another bases loaded walk to driving in another run.
Sad showing from the offense, sans the third inning.
The Mets had a runner on third in the seventh, eighth, and ninth inning with no outs. Did they score? Nope!
With the score tied in the bottom of the ninth, Murphy tripled to lead off the inning. They did not get him in.
It happened two innings previous, but this was the most glaring situation. Just awful.
The Rest of the Story
Phillies lose, Brewers win. 1.5 back in East, dead even in Wild Card.
Game Ball: Carlos Delgado.
