Well I guess any win is a good win, but today’s Mets win over the Phillies was a really good win. I said going into the series the Mets needed to take two out of three from the Phillies. Yes, we are only half way through the season but I thought it was imperative for the Mets to at least win the series since that would mean the Mets would win at least one of the games started by the Phillies twin aces Lee and Hamels.
The Mets won the first game of the series behind a strong start by their number three man Jon Niese. The Phillies won the second game for Cliff Lee’s first win of the year. The Mets had an early lead but Mets starter Chris Young once again got lit up in the seventh inning as the Phils crushed the Mets 9-2. That set up the showdown between the two teams true aces Hamels and the Met’s RA Dickey.
Dickey has been nothing short of incredible this season going 12-1 with 2.40 ERA (lower before tonight’s game), 123 Ks and a 0.93 whip. He deserves to start the all star game. Tonight though, Dickey didn’t have his best stuff, he still went 7 innings but gave up five runs on 11 hits. He left with the Mets trailing 5-4. The game stayed that way into the ninth. The Phillies brought in their closer Papelbon to lock down the game and give the Phillies the series and a much needed shot in the arm. It wasn’t to be. Ike Davis lead off the inning with a double and then was pinch ran for by Cedeno. Josh Thole scarified Cedeno to third. The Mets were quickly in position to tie the game. Nieuwenhuis struck out swinging. The Mets were quickly in a position to lose the game. Valdespin came up. He was hit by a pitch and then quickly stole second. The Mets were suddenly in position to win the game again. Tejada went to two strikes, but worked out a walk. Bringing up David Murphy with bases loaded. Murphy hit a pitch off of Hamel’s leg to tie the game. Bringing up MVP candidate David Wright with a chance to win the game. Wright blooped a single to right center, the Mets won. The win kept the Mets 4.5 in back of the Nationals. More importantly though it knocked the Phils back to 13 out.
Funny when the season began most people thought the Mets would be sellers at the trading deadline and the Phils buyers. There was even some talk the Mets might trade Wright to the Phillies. Now I really doubt Wright is going anywhere this year. In fact the Mets are going to be looking to add a bat and some (much) bullpen help.
