Post Game: Cardinals 3, Mets 0
The Mets lost to the Cardinals by a score of 3-to-0 tonight.
For a full recap and boxscore, click here.
Tonight was one of those nights where getting one run seemed like climbing Mount Everest for the Mets.
The Mets managed just two hits against Joel Piniero tonight –one single coming from Luis Castillo in the third inning and another single coming from a Jeremy Reed pinch hit single in the ninth inning.
The Mets made 21 outs via the ground ball against Piniero as he shut out the Mets in an impressive complete game effort, winning for just the second time in his last 10 starts, but dominated the Mets for the second time this season.
This game looked shockingly similar to that 3-0 shutout that Piniero pitched against the Mets on September 27, 2007.
Livan Hernandez pitched really well despite taking the loss tonight, but made a mental mistake in the top of the third inning when he was indecisive on a bunt play by Brendan Ryan which ultimately led to a run scoring, thanks to a Daniel Murphy throwing error trying to turn a double play.
Until the seventh inning, Hernandez, and really the entire Mets’ pitching staff had handled Albert Pujols well in this series with a steady diet of off-speed pitches outside.
It was the first time the Mets have made an error with Hernandez on the mound this season.
Despite the 0-for-4, I still liked what I saw from Murphy at the plate – his swing has become more compact and less wild as he is not letting go of the bat right now and he is not swinging at pitches in the dirt.
I really didn’t understand why Jerry Manuel put a hit and run play on in the sixth inning, with Joel Piniero pitching lights out, and Livan Hernandez at the plate.
By the way, if anyone was still wondering whether or not Keith Hernandez and/or Ron Darling would manage or coach, they each said during the rain delay that they are not interested, but as Keith said, “never say never.”
The Mets will continue this four game series with the Cardinals tomorrow night at 7:10 pm, with Fernando Nieve facing Brad Thompson.
