postGame: Mets 6 Phillies 3
The Mets (74–60) defeated the Phillies (73–60) tonight by the score of 6 to 3 in Citizen’s Bank Park.
For a recap, boxscore, stats, etc., go to SNY.tv.
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
The resilient Mets once again showed again they are a far different team than they were a year ago. What a tremendous effort for this team to fight back and overcome a brutal loss and a early deficit.
Although he did not have his best stuff early in the game, Johan Santana managed to settle down and pitch brilliantly through six innings tonight while throwing 106 pitches. The Phillies scored all three runs off Santana via the long ball in the first two innings. Santana deserved better tonight. It’s a shame an opposite field pop up is a homerun, but that’s what you get when you play at Citizens Bank Park.
It became obvious as the innings progressed the Phillies had a plan to work the count to get Santana out of the game as soon as possible – it work for the most part. The Mets bullpen was able to rebound off a tough night the day before. As the combination of Brian Stokes, Pedro Feliciano, Joe Smith and Luis Ayala combined for three scoreless innings.
Speaking of Stokes, he continues to impress out of the bullpen. Perhaps he can step up and be the go-to reliever the Mets desperately need.
But the story of the night was Carlos Delgado.
Delgado, who was 3-4 with 2 HR and 3 RBI, is doing everything he can to put this team on his back. As Keith Hernandez noted during the SNY’s broadcast, it’s time to include Delgado in MVP talk. Wouldn’t that have a lot of people eating crow, if they’re not already.
It looked as if no one would help Delgado carry the load tonight, but with two outs in the eighth Daniel Murphy busted out of his 0-for-16 slump with a clutch RBI double off Brade Lidge to put the Mets ahead for good.
Murphy was followed by Brian Schneider, who blooped a single that scored both Murphy and Ryan Church.
The best part, it was an easy 1-2-3 for Ayala in the ninth.
Excellent win tonight, men. Way to bounce back.
The Mets will continue their road trip on Friday as they begin a three-game series versus the Marlins, with Oliver Perez (9-7, 4.00 ERA) taking on Chris Volstad (4-3, 3.42 ERA).
