Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Applause for Aaron Heilman

Even though the Mets lost, mostly due to Pedro nearly giving up a seven run lead, and the bullpen not being able to close the door, one pitcher stood out from among the others: Aaron Heilman.

I never thought I'd be writing such a sentence lately, but last night was spectacular.

Heilman came in for the bottom of the tenth inning, and quickly let up a leadoff double to Chris Coste. Heilman then had to face Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Pat Burrell, and Ryan Howard, the Phillies big boppers. He successfully escaped the inning without damage.

Then came the 11th. The bases were loaded with two outs, and Jimmy Rollins was back at the plate. Heilman got Rollins to pop up in foul territory to escape the jam.

Onto the 12th, where Heilman got Utley and Howard swinging, sandwiched around a Burrell pop up.

60 pitches, over three beautiful innings. He let up hits and walked a few, but he was able to work out of it every time. If the Mets had been able to pull this one out, Heilman was going to be the hero.

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