New York Mets (16-15) at Los Angeles Dodgers (19-14) 3:10pm
John Maine (3-2) vs. Brad Penny (5-2)
What to watch: The Mets need to take this game to avoid a sweep in LA. Brad Penny is a tough pitcher so it’ll be a challenge today. Getting swept in LA would give the Mets a losing West coast road trip and may cause the fans to be more bitter when they get back home against Cincinnati on Friday.
Nelson Figueroa pitched well enough to keep the Mets in the game although his line doesn’t show it. He was victimized by Ryan Church sitting on the ground while the winning run went around the bases for an inside the park home run and adding two more earned runs for Figueroa.
Blake DeWitt hit a ball off the top off the wall in right field. Church made a play on the ball but couldn’t come up with it. Mistakenly, Church sat on the ground while DeWitt rounded the bases. It turned out to be a huge blunder that cost the Mets the game. It’s the first time this season that I’ve seen Church make a big mistake so I won’t go crazy about it.
Moises Alou is a freak of nature. He keeps hitting going 2 for 5 last night. He took an extra base on Gold Glover Andruw Jones, and he stole home plate. The guy is 41 years old, coming off hernia surgery and an ankle injury. It’s incredible. The guy plays harder than anyone. I’m so happy that he’s on the Mets even though he’s frequently injured. When he’s in the game he’s making an impact.
The Mets need to take the third game to avoid a sweep and a losing road trip.
Franco is interviewed on Fox’s Best Damn Sports Show. It’s disturbing to have to look at David Wells sitting next to Franco but I tried to look past that. The highlights include talking about ordering pizzas in the bullpen at Shea and growing a garden with bullpen coach Joe Pignatano.
BDSSP: John Franco saves the day
If you’re staying up late to watch the Mets-Dodgers game tonight stop into The Mets Report live game chat room.
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SI’s Jon Heyman joins WFAN’s Mike and the Mad Dog to talk baseball.
Schneider does his weekly spot with WFAN’s Joe & Evan.
New York Mets (16-14) at Los Angeles Dodgers (18-14) 10:10pm
Nelson Figueroa (2-1) vs. Hiroki Kuroda (1-2)
What to watch: The Mets need to take both games in LA to win the series. It would be a huge boost for the Mets to win both series’ in Arizona and LA on this road trip. Kuroda hasn’t pitched well recently so tonight’s game is a good opportunity for the Mets. Carlos Beltran even had two hits last night, so his bat is starting to come alive.
The Mets Report 