New York Mets vs Los Angeles Dodgers Post Game Recap 7-1

Final Score: New York Mets: 3 Los Angeles Dodgers: 8

The Mets were unable to pull of the sweep of the Dodgers, falling 8-3 on Sunday Night Baseball. Sloppy fielding and poor play overall played a part in the squandering of a 2-0 early lead.  Behind a strong performance from All-Star and reigning MVP Clayton Kershaw and three Mets errors, the Dodgers salvaged the last game of the series.

Errors by second baseman Ronny Cedeno and first baseman Justin Turner led to the first two Dodger runs to tie the score.  The Dodgers, who had been shut out in five of their last six games, will take runs in any way possible. 

The next inning, the Dodgers were able to manufacture another run, giving them their first lead in 66 innings before Juan Rivera touched home plate in the 6^th inning on a James Loney groundout.

The Mets were only trailing by one run at that point, but more sloppy play in the 7^th inning blew the game open making it a laugher.  Miguel Batista entered the game with one out after relievers Ramon Ramirez and Justin Hampson loaded the bases.

Batista was able to cause a come-backer, but catcher Mike Nickeas missed the ball and was charged with an error. Instead of having an inning ending double play, the Mets deficit was expanded.  The Dodgers would add two more runs before the inning ended, making for an 8-3 lead.

Overall, the Mets finished their road trip 4-3, a good record when you consider how poorly the trip had started.  The Mets can be confident in themselves heading back to Queens for a series against the Philadelphia Phillies and Miami Marlins heading into the All-Star break.

After an off day on Monday, the Mets will be back at it Tuesday against the Phillies. Jon Niese (6-3 3.55 ERA) is expected to take the mound for the Mets against Vance Worley (4-4 2.92 ERA) of the Phillies. 

New York Mets vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Post Game Recap 6-30

Final Score: New York Mets: 5 Los Angeles Dodgers: 0

The Mets ran their winning streak to four games at the expense of the reeling Dodgers with yet another shut out, winning 5-0.  Tonight’s win moved the Mets one game closer to their first ever four game sweep of the Dodgers.

The Dodgers have suffered shutouts in five of the last six games without All-Star hitters Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier in the lineup.  Tonight the Dodgers offense was unable to get anything going because of the stellar performance of Johan Santana.

Santana pitched eight shutout innings, scattering three hits and two walks to go along with three strikeouts.  Santana now has career numbers of 5-0 with a 0.50 ERA against the Dodgers, closing out June with almost as dominant performance as he started it with (Santana threw the first no hitter in Mets franchise history on June 1^st).

The Mets offense tonight was led by Ike Davis. Davis took advantage of the Dodgers intentionally walking David Wright in front of him in the 6^th inning, hitting a three run homerun, his 11^th of the season.  Davis would finish the game 2-4, getting his batting average over the Mendoza line for the second time this season at .203.

Daniel Murphy and Josh Thole both knocked in RBI’s with sacrifice flies in the 2^nd and 5^th innings to round out the offense for the Mets. 

The Mets’ defense struggled in Chicago, but tonight was on point against the Dodgers.  Santana made two stellar plays in the field to help his own cause and were was also helped by David Wright and Daniel Murphy. 

In the 2^nd inning, Murphy ranged to his right to start up a 4-6-3 double play.  It does not seem like much but it is encouraging to see Murphy becoming more comfortable playing 2^nd base as it has been a work in progress for Murphy on defense.  Wright was able to make a barehanded on a bunt attempt in the 4^th inning, throwing out speedster Elian Herrera at first base.

Not everything was great about the Mets as a whole tonight, as Andres Torres struggled on the base paths.  In the first inning, Torres was doubled off first pass on a fly out to right field by Wright. Torres was able to get on base in his next at-bat in the 3^rd inning, but was picked off first base by Dodgers catcher A.J Ellis. 

Next up for the Mets is the 4^th game of their series against the Dodgers on Sunday night baseball.  The only thing between the Mets and a sweep is reigning NL Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw (5-4 2.72 ERA).  Dillon Gee (5-6 4.42 ERA) will take the mound for the Mets.