N.Y.Mets ~ Terry's Kids Complete Sweep of Phillies

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS:  Ike Davis Sends Philly Crowd Scattering!


Look what injuries have done to the Mets...again.  It just never stops, does it?


Rob Johnson was behind the plate in place of Josh Thole, who is now officially on the seven day DL; and who by the way, Sandy Alderson already stated would miss more games than just seven.  Rob Johnson was also behind the plate due to that pitch Mike Nickeas took on the elbow in Tuesday's game.  No one is saying that - that's just me.


Then after Coach Collins decided to sit Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Lucas Duda against Cliff Lee, the Mets went with the law firm of Rottino, Torres, and Hairston in the outfield.


At least Justin Turner has grown on us by now.  But at shortstop?  They do say necessity is the mother of all invention however.


Dillon Gee did his damnedest to keep the Mets close through the first five innings Wednesday against Cliff Lee.  Heading into the top of the sixth inning, the Phils led 2-1 largely based on Cliff Lee's own infield RBI single in the second.


Andres Torres; of the law firm Rottino, Torres, and Hairston; led off the top of the sixth with a triple off Lee which Shane Victorino misplayed.  Lee then baffled Daniel Murphy with a pair of curve balls for the first out.  David Wright backed up his mate with a flair base hit to tie the game at two all.


Dillon Gee took his turn in the sixth.  And wouldn't you know, Justin Turner turned assists to first for the first two outs of the inning.  But a bloop and a blast so to say, gave Philly the lead again.  Brian Schneider flared a ball to left for a two out single.  Freddie Galvis then blasted a double to score Schneider.  Laynce Nix pinch hit for Lee, and made it a 4-2 game.  For Galvis, it was his second RBI of the night.


But back came the Mets.  AGAIN!  With Cliff Lee out of the game in the top of the seventh, in came Kirk Nieuwenhuis to pinch hit for Rottino, and immediately drew a walk.  Justin Turner drove him home with a double to center.  Turner then had trouble gauging Ike Davis' liner to right field, and got held at third base on Davis' double.  Rob Johnson drew a walk to load the bases with no outs.  In the game came Lucas Duda to pinch hit.  Kyle Kendrick then hit him with a pitch to force home a run.  The Mets pushed across another run on a fielder's choice.


The Mets scored three times in the seventh of Kyle Kendrick to take a 5-4 lead in the game, and came back like they have in every game of this series.


After Tim Byrdak relieved Gee back in the sixth, into the hands of the rest of the Mets bullpen the game went.  Manny Acosta was first.  He posted a scoreless inning, highlighted by a double play and a Hunter Pence strikeout.


In the visitor's half of the eighth, the Mets picked up insurance, and even more runs against Kyle Kendrick, on back-to-back doubles by David Wright and Scott Hairston.  Out came Mr. Manuel, and off went Kendrick.  Too late though.  The second the Phils took out Cliff Lee spelled their doom.


In came El Fossil - Jose Contrearas, who put Nieuwenhuis down swinging.  Justin Turner then lofted a fly to right that Hunter Pence just dropped with Hairston threatening to tag at second.  And up came Ike Davis who made Philly pay dearly for that misplay.  He unleashed a bomb off the second deck facade in right to give the Mets a 9-4 lead.  With the rain falling out of the sky, the fans in Philly needed no more reason to start scattering for the exits.


Next out of the Mets' bullpen was John Rauch for the bottom of the eighth.  He gave up a run.  No details needed.  On to the ninth.


Andres Torres smacked his first home run of the season off Brian Sanchez to lead-off the final frame.  Daniel Murphy followed with a single.  But Sanchez would retire the next three.


Next out of the Mets pen was the yawn inspiring D.J. Carrasco to pitch Philly's last licks in a 10-6 game.  Daniel Murphy threw away an attempt to first base on Jimmy Rollins' grounder.  Carrasco then struck out Juan Pierre.  Shane Victorino popped up to Justin Turner.  Then up came Hunter Pence who jolted one off the right-center field wall to drive in Rollins with a triple.  Placido Polanco stepped up to record the third and final out of the game.


That's what you call a five game winning streak folks.  Not to mention a three game sweep of the rival Phillies ball club in Philadelphia.  And we thought we had troubles!  No Geno's for me thank you.  They make 'em better in Brooklyn.


There you go.  That's how the little engine that could did it on Wednesday night.  And that's pretty much how they swept the Phillies.


Terry's Kids!  How ya' like 'em now?





Mike.BTB