Post Game: Mets 9, Pirates 8
The Mets defeated the Pirates by the score of 9-to-8 this afternoon.
For a full recap and box score, click here.
The Least You Should Know:
Tim Redding was ineffective this afternoon allowing five runs on six hits in just 2 1/3 innings. He threw a ton of breaking pitches and could not throw them consistently for strikes.
The Mets overcame Redding’s poor performance with two runs in the fourth inning, four runs in the fifth, and two runs in the sixth.
However, Francisco Rodriguez blew his third save of the season after allowing a two run home run to Adam LaRoche in the bottom of the ninth inning.
But Ryan Church saved the day with a game winning RBI single in the top of the tenth to score Fernando Tatis, who had a big day with three hits, scoring four runs including his third home run of the year – his first since May 13.
Omir Santos broke his 0 for 19 streak with a long double to center field in the 9th inning.
Everyone in the starting lineup had at least one hit.
Other Observations and Notes:
The game was delayed at the start for 30 minutes, and then again three batters into the game for 43 more minutes due to rain.
I felt like I was on a roller coaster at Six Flags today, but “resiliency” was a major theme this afternoon.
The team showed a lot of character today – I have to admit that I thought the Mets were going down that familiar path, falling way behind early and going through the motions, but they overcame their first five run deficit of the season today and also overcame a blown save by Rodriguez.
There were encouraging signs offensively today as there was good situational hitting up and down the lineup – something that the team has lacked for most of the year – including opposite field hits by Tatis and Church and a big sacrifice fly to left field by Jeremy Reed.
Francisco Rodriguez’s control has become a major problem, and it almost cost the Mets a huge victory.
A win is a win no matter who the Mets play and no matter how they get it, and this was a big one.
The Mets open a three game series against the Phillies in Philadelphia tomorrow night at 7:05 pm with Livan Hernandez facing Rodrigo Lopez.
