Post Game: Rays 3, Mets 1

The Mets lost to the Rays this afternoon by a score of 3-1.

To read a full recap, and see the boxscore, click here.

The Least You Should Know:

• Johan Santana allowed two runs on three hits in 7 1/3 innings – not allowing a hit until the fifth inning, but one of the runs he allowed was a game deciding, solo home run to Carlos Pena in the seventh inning.
• James Shields was real sharp today for the Rays – especially with his curve ball and change-up, going seven innings and allowing a run on three hits. He retired the last 14 batters he faced and the Rays’ bullpen extended that string to 19 consecutive batters before Carlos Beltran singled with two outs in the ninth.
• The game was delayed by rain in the top of the eighth inning for one hour and fifteen minutes. Bobby Parnell took over for Santana when play resumed and promptly walked Pat Burrell who hit for Shields, and allowed a hard single to BJ Upton. He was relieved by Pedro Feliciano and got the speedy Carl Crawford to ground into a 1-6-3 double play to put out the fire.
• Sean Green‘s streak of not allowing a run ended at 15 consecutive appearances when he allowed a solo home run to Ben Zobrist in the top of the ninth inning.
• The Mets 3-4-5 hitters were a combined 2 for 11 at the plate today.

Etc, Misc., and Other Stuff:

• Classic pitchers duel today, but it seems like Santana is constantly on the short side of these kinds of games. His velocity was still inconsistent and he wasn’t dominating, but it was nice to see him pitch well enough to win despite not having his best stuff.
• What has happened to Bobby Parnell? In his last six appearances, his ERA has gone from 1.96 to 3.67 and has allowed six runs on eight hits and three walks in just four innings.
• David Wright is now 3 for his last 22 with nine strikeouts over that span. The Mets simply cannot afford to have Wright get this cold again, especially with the question marks now surrounding Carlos Beltran and an MRI looming on the bone bruise in his knee.
• Ryan Church, on the other hand, is 6 for his last 16 with three runs scored and three RBI.
• It seems that opposing left handed hitters can hit the ball out to the right field corner at Citi Field. You would think that the lefty-heavy Mets could do the same.
• Fans at Citi Field were booing Luis Castillo during the game last night, and they were sarcastically cheering him when he caught an easy pop up during the game today.
• I can see that Met fans still love Pat Burrell now that he plays for Tampa Bay.

The Mets play the rubber game of this three game series tomorrow afternoon at Citi Field beginning at 1:10 pm with Mike Pelfrey facing Jeff Niemann.