Again, the Mets let the other team score in the first inning, and then came back to win.
Pitching Performance
What was a pitchers duel through five innings, featured Johan Santana facing off against Ben Sheets. Thankfully for the Mets, Sheets had to leave in the fifth with a groin injury. Santana was on today, even though he let in a run on a balk. In the first, Santana let up a one-out triple to J.J. Hardy, who was driven in by the next batter, Ryan Braun, when he doubled to left.
Santana worked through the next innings almost without issue, letting up hits here and there. In the sixth, with runners on second and third, Santana committed a balk, bringing in Prince Fielder. He ended up working six innings, allowing seven hits and two earned runs. He walked only one while striking out ten Brewers.
Spectacular. The balk was bad, but what can you do? Other than that, it was probably the best I've seen Johan throw all year. He only lasted through six, which wasn't great, but his control was spot on all day. Thanks to the bullpen and an offensive come back, Johan still hasn't lost since June 28.
Nelson Figueroa made his first appearance since re-joining the team, and he pitched the seventh, allowing only one hit. He ended up the winning pitcher on the day. Figueroa started the eight, but allowed a double and was removed in favor of Pedro Feliciano. Feliciano got Fielder swinging as his only batter. Joe Smith entered the game and got Corey Hart and Mike Cameron to strike out and end the threat.
Figgy had a great 7th and Feliciano and Smith looked absolutely dominant in the eight, getting the big boppers from Milwaukee to K in a big spot.
Luis Ayala entered for the Mets to earn the save, and set down the side in order, striking out one.
He goes out there and throws strikes, and I like that about him. He doesn't fear any hitter, he just pounds it in the zone.
Offensive Output
The Mets were shut down by Sheets early, and didn't get on the board until late, but they did what they had to do to win the game.
They were held off the board until the seventh inning where the Mets loaded the bases and eventually scored on a wild pitch.
The eighth was huge for the team. Daniel Murphy, who continues to impress, lead off the inning with a double. Carlos Delgado came up with the team down by one, and launched a two-run home run to right field.
When I say "launched," I really mean it. The ball went up and up and up and I did not think it was going to get out. But it did, and it was clutch.
Carlos Beltran followed up the home run with a stiff single to right, which was the followed by a Ryan Church double to deep left field, bringing Beltran all the way around from first to score.
On his slide into home, Beltran slid into home plate umpire Ed Rapuano. He played the eighth, but Endy Chavez played the ninth, as Beltran was removed with a "knee contusion."
It took them a while to get there, but when they scored, they did it when they needed to and it all worked out in the end. Good stuff.
The Rest of the Story
David Wright is struggling. Today, he went 0-5 with 2 K's.
Jose Reyes' hitting streak continues. Up to 11.
Murphy went 2-4, with a run and a walk while batting second today.
Game Ball: Carlos Delgado
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