Mets Loss Series Opener with Dodgers

Friday July 20, 2012

Final Score: Los Angeles Dodgers: 7 New York Mets: 6

Mets Loss Series Opener with Dodgers

The Mets were unable to carry any positives over from Thursday afternoon’s victory against the Nationals, dropping the first game of a three game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.  It is vital for the Mets to get the last two games of this series, as it is an important one for the Mets.  If they hope to make the playoffs, the Dodgers are one team the Mets will be competing against and nothing would help more than beating them head-to-head. 

The Mets were in a hole right from the beginning, behind the whole game thanks to another off night from Johan Santana.

The Dodgers wasted no time in taking the lead, as Matt Kemp launched a towering two-run homer in the first staking the Dodgers with an early 2-0 lead.  The Dodgers tacked on another run in the inning thanks to a Jerry Hairston Jr. RBI single.

The second inning did not go much better for Santana, as he issued all three of his walks, one of which was a four pitch walk to Andre Either that forced in a run.

The third inning, which was Santana’s last, he gave up a lead off hit to Hairston Jr. and later his second homerun of the game.  The second homer was hit by Luis Cruz and was his first of his career. 

Santana was lifted for pinch hitter Kirk Nieuwenhuis before he could even take his first at-bat of the game.  Santana’s final line was uninspiring, as he labored through three innings, giving up seven hits, two of which were homeruns, six earned runs, three walks and three strikeouts.

This was the third straight start in which Santana allowed six or more earned runs, the third time in Mets history that has happened, joining Bobby Jones and Pedro Astacio. 

The Mets offense was not without some fireworks, as Jordany Valdespin continued his mashing as a pinch hitter, knocking his MLB-high tying fourth pinch hit homer of the season out in the 7^th inning.  It was his sixth homerun of the year in only 81 major league at-bats.  It also tied the Mets franchise record for pinch hit homers in a season with Danny Heep and Mark Carreon.  All of Valdespin’s hits as a pinch hitter have been by way of the long ball.

David Wright continued his torrid pace at the plate, knocking in his 66^th RBI of the season, tying with for the NL lead in the category. 

Daniel Murphy also tied a career high with four hits in the game.  Two of his four hits were doubles and Murphy also knocked in his 44^th RBI of the season.

The Mets bullpen has had their struggles this season, but tonight they had a good showing.  Being asked to provide some extra innings because of the short outing from Santana, the bullpen was able to go six innings surrendering only one run.  The performance from the bullpen kept the Mets in the game.

Next up is a Saturday afternoon game between the Mets and Dodgers.  The Mets will look to even the series with Dodgers as Miguel Batista (1-2, 4.33 ERA) will take the mound and be opposed by ex-Met Chris Capuano (9-5, 2.75 ERA).

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.