Tag: Geoff Jenkins

Mets 2010 Trade Deadline Needs – Bat Off the Bench

Rusty Staub Bat at Mets Hall of Fame
Image by slgckgc via Flickr

Friday night, as I watched Jesus Feliciano hit a weak dribbler to second baseman Martin Prado with runners on second and third with two outs from my section 401 seat in the promenade, yet another need for the Mets became apparent to me. Some pop off the bench would be really nice for the second half of the season. I feel like a solid bat could prove to be just as important as a new bullpen arm at this point.

Feliciano was pinch hitting for Ruben Tejada in that spot. It was the bottom of the 6th, and Braves starter Tommy Hanson had just been pulled. A big 2-RBI hit there would have put the Mets ahead 4-2 and could have very well changed the complexion of the game at that juncture. In the following inning, a recently called-up, and clearly over-matched Nick Evans was tardy on a Johnny Venters fastball while pinch hitting in the pitcher’s spot to lead off.

Having established Major League hitters available on your bench is an invaluable quality late in games. When Matt Franco or Lenny Harris would get up in the on-deck circle, I was confident that if they saw a pitch to hit, they would put a charge into it. Franco, although absentminded at times (he forgot his glove in the Shea Stadium picnic area after taking a picture with me before a game when I was 12), was a master of the craft of pinch hitting from the left side. It was basically his sole purpose on the team and he excelled. I will always remember his walk-off line drive single against the Yankees in the Subway Series, among other clutch hits. Pinch hitters are under-appreciated assets of baseball clubs, yet upon delivery, they are game changers. Continue reading “Mets 2010 Trade Deadline Needs – Bat Off the Bench”

Mets Win 4-2 in Philly

Philadelphia, PA- Seven Met pitchers combined to finish the game and get the win for starter Oliver Perez (2-0).  Perez pitched 5.2 innings giving up no runs with seven strikeouts, but allowed five walks.  This was a classic Perez game, brilliant and unhittable at times and completely losing his command at others.Once again, David Wright was the offensive catalyst going 2 for 4 with 2 RBI’s in the first inning off Jamie Moyer. Jose Reyes hit a two run homer in the seventh, his second of the year as part of a 2 for 4 day, scoring  2 runs, and stealing a base. His home run was celebrated in classic Reyes style with extended handshakes and a dance in the dugout. It’s great to see the “old” Reyes back!

Chase Utley hit a solo homer in the  seventh off Scott Schoenweiss. The eighth inning was pretty intense with Aaron Heilman coming in with one out and two men on. He gave up a hit to left by Carlos Ruiz to load the bases. I was hoping that Heilman wouldn’t implode in a key situation again. He came through with flying colors striking out pinch hitter Geoff Jenkins and Jayson Werth to leave the bases loaded.

Watching on TV it sounded like there was a pretty sizable Mets contingent in the stands. The game was halted briefly in the ninth inning while a scuffle in the right field stands was dealt with by stadium security. Of course, Fox didn’t show any of it on TV so I’ll have to check YouTube to see if there’s any video of what actually happened.

The Mets win the first two games in Philly to win the series and go for the sweep tomorrow. They’ve got a five game winning streak going and really look to be hitting their stride early in the season.

Box score 

Video Highlights