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postGame: Mets 8 Reds 3

by Matthew Cerrone on May 11th, 2008 at 4:22 pm

The Mets (19–16) defeated the Reds (15–23) by the score of 8 to 3 today in Shea Stadium.

For a full recap and stats, read SNY’s Boxscore.

  • In the first inning, Luis Castillo drove in Jose Reyes with an RBI triple.  For those who do not know, I had ACL surgery on each of my knees – when Castillo runs, he makes my knees hurt.  Castillo’s RBI triple was followed by an RBI single from Carlos Beltran, which was followed by an RBI single from Moises Alou.  I love it when these guys string together hits and runs, and do not let the inning die.
  • Actually, the Mets looked to be taking very short, controlled swings and going with the pitches against Reds RHP Johnny Cueto, who throws very, very hard. 
  • Oliver Perez was in command today, throwing strikes with attitude.  He cruised through the first five innings, but let his wheels come off, Ollie-style, in the sixth, complete with a walk and a wild pitch.  Otherwise, he looked good today.  The thing is, this is exactly what Billy Wagner was referring to a week or so ago – keep it together, Oliver, and maybe you get in to the next inning or so, and keep the lid on the bullpen.  Oh well. 
  • The key, though, was the Mets coming back in the next at bat, after having their lead trimmed to three, only to get back-to-back, two-out, RBI singles by Damion Easley and David Wright.
  • Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado are hot, going 10 for 21 in the three game series against the Reds.
  • Ryan Church can play defense with the flu, just as well as when he doesn’t have the flu.
  • Hats off to Perez, who also gets a game ball, for stealing second base and putting himself in to scoring position with two outs and Castillo at the plate.  Perez did not score, but, I mean, go for it, why not.  Good call, Willie.
  • Question: Why are the umpires seemingly always confused by the rule book – as they were in the ninth, when the Reds hit out of order.  Get it together, gentlemen.  I mean, you’re the ump for pete’s sake.  I would discuss this n more detail, or point out Willie calling on it too early, but a) it had no impact on the game, b) it happens once in a lifetime, and b) I’m not that smart. 
  • It’s hard to believe, as a baseball fan who grew up watching the game through much of the 1990s, but Ken Griffey Jr. is old and slow…which is sad…but such is life.
  • Nice job by Pedro Feliciano, Scott Schoeneweis and Joe Smith for pitching three scoreless innings in relief.

The Mets start a four-game series with the Washington Nationals at Shea Stadium tomorrow.