Ike Davis Blasts Mets to Win

Sunday, August 26^th 2012

Final Score: Houston Astros: 1 New York Mets: 2

Ike Davis Blasts Mets to Walk-Off Win

It was not a successful home stand by any means for the Mets, but they were able to end it on a high note winning 2-1 Sunday afternoon.  The win makes it two in a row for the Mets, who won only their second series since the All-Star break. 

Ike Davis supplied all the offense for the Mets today, launching two solo homeruns in the course of the game.  In the fourth inning, Davis hit is first homer to right field to give the Mets a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the ninth, Davis hit a walk off with another shot to right field.  Davis now has 24 homeruns and 70 RBI’s on the season, which offsets his woeful .223 batting average, .293 on-base percentage and .447 slugging percentage.  Davis may be underwhelming with the batting average and on-base percentage this season, but has more than respectable power given where he plays home games.  He will be a key part of the Mets future as they will need people to mash the ball and Davis is a good fielder.

Starting pitcher Jeremy Hefner should not be overlooked.  He had a strong performance, coming within three outs of a complete game shut out.  He was hurt by a dropped ball in leftfield by Lucas Duda, but nonetheless had a good performance. 

Hefner dominated the Astros through eight innings, giving up only three hits and striking out seven over that span.  During that same stretch, the Astros were only able to get one runner even into scoring position. 

Hefner’s final line was 8+ innings, five hits, one earned run, one walk and seven strikeouts. 

As mentioned, Duda made his return to the major league club and played a big role in his first game back.  He gave up a run unable to make a catch in the 9^th inning, but did not let that get to him as he saved the Mets later in the inning by throwing out Marwin Gonzalez at the plate and preserving the 1-1 tie. 

At the plate, Duda went 0 for 2 with a walk, making his first appearance in the majors since being sent down July 24^th. 

After being demoted earlier in the day, Jordany Valdespin may never actually make it to Buffalo.  He was sent down to get some work at his natural position of second base, but there is now a need at second with Daniel Murphy suffering an injury.

Murphy left the game in the top of the ninth inning after being visited by a trainer during his at-bat in the bottom of the eighth.  Murphy was able to finish his at-bat, but was replaced in the field by Ronny Cedeno. 

The Mets will be back on the road for a nine-game road trip starting Tuesday night in Philadelphia against the Phillies.  Chris Young (3-7, 4.33 ERA) will be opposed by Vance Worley (6-9, 4.06 ERA).  The Phillies enter the series two games ahead of the Mets for third place in the NL East.  

Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Mets Post Game Recap 7-3

Final Score: Philadelphia Phillies: 1 New York Mets: 11

The Mets opened up their homestand on a very positive note, hammering the Phillies Tuesday night 11-1.  Even with centerfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis being scratched before game time because of a hand contusion, the Mets were still able to let it rip on offense.

After having a great June, going 3-1 with a 1.89 ERA, Jon Niese started July off on just as strong a note.

For a second start in a row, Jon Niese was handed a huge lead and was able to protect it.

Niese threw eight innings of one run ball, allowing only three hits and two walks.  He also added three strikeouts, with his only blemish coming off the bat of Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz, who hit a solo homerun leading off the 2^nd inning.

The Mets offense got off to an even faster start, scoring in the first inning off Vance Worley, who entered the game with a 2.92 ERA but did not leave with one as low.  A David Wright groundball scored Daniel Murphy after he tripled, which was a start to another outstanding hitting night for Murphy.  It was Wright’s 51^st RBI of the season, and he would get RBI’s 52, 53 and 54 in the 6^th inning, launching his 10^th homerun of the season off Phillies reliever Brian Sanches.

Murphy would add two doubles and a single to his night’s totals, also knocking in another four RBI’s tonight, bringing his season total to 42.  Murphy also had a highlight play at second base, making a leaping grab on a line drive.

Niese would help his own cause in the 2^nd inning, knocking in two Mets with a single.  The inning could have been blown open even more if not for Josh Thole and Ruben Tejada both being thrown out on the base paths. 

Ruben Tejada was thrown out at home, but continued his torrid pace at the plate.  Tejada went 3-5, knocking in one RBI and scoring twice.  His average now sits at .326 with a .377 on base percentage, a big reason why the Mets have been successful because Tejada has been setting the table in front of the middle of the order.

Next up for the Mets and Phillies is a 4^th of July matinee with the first pitch scheduled for 1:10 P.M. ET. Chris Young (2-1 3.30 ERA) will take the mound for the Mets against the Phillies’ Cliff Lee (0-5 4.13 ERA).

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.