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The Mets (35–33) defeated the Cardinals (39–32) by the score of 6 to 4 tonight.
For a boxscore, play by play, and a full recap, go here.
I am excited, and proud of how the Mets played tonight.
I was afraid the Mets might collectively mope around, shrug their shoulders and drop their heads, all in light of today’s news that Carlos Beltran would be joining Jose Reyes, Carlos Delgado, John Maine, Oliver Perez and J.J. Putz on the disabled list.
Instead, the Mets kept their spirits up, and out-hustled, out-hit and out-pitched the first-place Cardinals, and they did it as a team.
In the first inning, the Mets sent six men to the plate and scored two runs using nothing but singles and sac flys.
From that point forward, despite a golf-shot home run from Daniel Murphy, the Mets used a similar, grinding-style of offense – and any time the Cardinals tried to rally back, the Mets followed with a run in the bottom of that inning.
Hat’s off to Tim Redding, who got his first win of the season tonight, and who looked very sharp using all of his pitches, which he commanded quite well.
By the way, the Cardinals should check the pressure on Dennys Reyes, the man’s face looks like it’s going to explode.
In a key moment in the game, during the eighth inning, Brian Stokes set up Albert Pujols to swing at an outside slider, which he hit on the ground for an inning-ending double play, as he represented the tying run.
Best part: Murphy’s animated first pump on the back-end of the play.
Later, also a key moment, Alex Cora wisely noticed the wheel play being used against him by Tony LaRussa, with runners on first and second and no outs, and chose not to bunt, according to Jerry Manuel, instead, swinging and ripping an RBI single to center.
Hat’s off for Luis Castillo leading off the inning with an infield single, which he hustled to beat out.
Castillo made a slick play in the field as well, diving to snag a ground ball up the middle, then throwing to first from his knees.
Hustle. That’s the word that is stuck in my mind. Nice work, guys.
The Mets continue their four-game series with the Cardinals tomorrow night, with Livan Hernandez squaring off against Joel Pineiro.
HUGE win tonight. Hats off to Redding for going 7 innings, which Maine and Ollie have been incapable of doing.
Great job by the bullpen. We will need the same effort tomorrow from the whole pitching staff.
Classic NL baseball, which I love. It’s nice to have an AL like line-up in the NL, but this is what it’s all about. Working counts (I catch myself counting pitches at each at bat), hit and runs, solid defense, aggression, and most important — strong pitching. Only thing missing was stolen bases, but Yadi has something to do with that. Asides from Tatis getting caught in the run down, a crisp game.
This is how it’s going to need to be until the Mets can get some power back. And a little credit to Jerry (I know he gets it hard on this site) to throw out the challenge to the players to play with spirit.
Nice solid win. A few first inning base running snafu’s but other then that a very well played game from both teams.
Nice to see a solid game with a bullpen that got outs. It had been a while.
I won’t pile on Jerry, but maybe if stokes pitched more then every 9 days Parnell and the rest wouldn’t be worn out.
I say AMen Brother! lol
Per NY Post’s Mets Twitter:
Reyes ok after getting rear-ended by a firetruck on the Triboro bridge
great win tonight, as i believe cora said its going to take the whole team, lots of heart they really deserved the win, they never let the game get away and never rolled over. I’m proud of this team for this game. Let’s go out there and get one tomorrow, Livan has been great lately but he did pitch againist the Cards when we lost that blow out game so let’s see if he can “bounce back”
STOKES with the big double play, good for him, he should be used more often
Murphy with the HR, its nice to see somebody hit a home run that isn’t on the other team
Castillo with the defense!!
Santos goes 4/4!
great win, Let’s go mets!
Thank you to the New York Mets for making my Tuesday a little bit easier. It’s not easy being a Mets fan down here in Cardinal country but nights like tonight make it worth it.
also, wtf is with this team, reyes hit by a fire truck? Is there a curse on this team or something? I believe he’s okay but still come on now
Well at least he had potential mediacal help on site. OK that’s a terrible joke at a time like this. I’m sorry I said it.
*medical*, I can’t do anything right!
This just in from the New York Post:
“It has been confirmed that the driver of the fire truck is a Yankee fan.”
I’m kidding =)
They were actually on their way to restaurant Duanar Sanchez suggested they check out
OH WOW!!! I wasn’t even going there.
Come on now, you gotta laugh at this point to keep from crying
thats gotta be the catchphrase for the next few weeks
I hear you 2009! If they can play with that kind of determination every game and pitch like that every game they just might be able to squeak through till the cavalry comes.
I loved the hustle tonight! Luis’ diving catch was great. However, when I saw Castillo land on his knees and throw out the runner at first, all I could think was: Guess he’ll be the next player headed for the DL! Is it me, or does he look like he’s having knee trouble again when he runs the bases?
this was all well and good, but Tatis can’t play anymore nor should he ever bat clean up ever again.
I don’t care who wears the uniform, I love this team–especially when they play like they did last night.
Let’s Go Mets.
It’s “hats off,” not “hat’s off.” It’s not possessive, nor is it a contraction. It’s a group of people doffing their caps.
Sorry about being the grammar police, but it was in the post twice and I just couldn’t take it.
OK, GREAT WIN. Instead of building on it, and, turning a bad into a good, lets blow the next three games, leave 300 men on base and play terrible baseball.