A series win, against the Cardinals, using mostly backups. Pinch me.
The New York Mets (37-34) beat the St. Louis Cardinals (40-34) by a score of 3-2.
Johan Santana struggled early, allowing an unearned run in the first inning, and threw 57 pitches in the first three innings. He settled in nicely though, and coming out for the seventh inning with 100 pitches. He completed the seventh with help from Fernando Martinez, who made a diving stab in center field to end the inning.
Santana scattered seven hits and three walks, striking out three. He allowed two runs, one of which was earned.
It looked like a disaster start in the first few innings, but he bounced back and settled in beautifully. I don’t know why I doubt him.
Pedro Feliciano allowed a leadoff double in the 8th, but worked around it for a scoreless inning. Francisco Rodriguez got two quick outs to start the ninth, then forgot how to hit the strike zone. Nine pitches out of the strike zone meant back to back walks to Albert Pujols and Ryan Ludwick, bringing Yadier Molina (of all people) to the plate. Molina flew out to Jeremy Reed in LF to end the game.
K-Rod loves to make the fans hearts’ pound.
Chris Carpenter was equally good for the Cardinals. The Mets were held hitless into the 4th, when Luis Castillo led off with a single to LF. David Wright followed with a single of his own. Fernando Tatis came to the plate with one out, singling to right field, plating Castillo.
After coming down hard on Tatis a few days ago, he’s really made me eat my words the past two games. Keep it coming, Tatis. I’m hungry!
Nick Evans came to the plate with two on and two out and laced a double into bump-out in right field, plating both runners.
Evans’ RBIs were the eventual game winners. I like it.
And because of those RBIs, Nick Evans won the first ever Game Ball as voted on by my Twitter followers. Get your vote in after every game to vote for the Game Ball recipient!
Game Ball: Nick Evans